A fantastic team performance gave Stornoway their third consecutive win last weekend, when they swept aside a spirited and strong Strathspey outfit. The 5 points for the win, with a bonus for four tries, was great reward for the hard work the squad have put in over recent weeks. Stornoway were able to welcome back a number of first team players who have been missing in recent weeks, with Man of the match Alex Granville, Davy Graham and Steve Liddle adding to the pack while Darren Beattie and Jerome Curran returned to the backs.
The game kicked-off at a tremendous pace and Strathspey looked to capitalise early with some good handling from their backline. The early pressure caught the Stornoway defence slightly off guard but it was to be the jump start the home side needed. After soaking up the initial Strathspey attacks, they themselves made a number of surges into the visitors half. Matt Hunter was the first to cross the Strathspey line wide out on the left after 12 minutes. Good pressure from the home pack gave the backs good quick ball and Hunter found himself with space and support out wide. As usual he neglected to use the support but left the would be defender in no mans land with a sweet dummy pass before touching down for the 5 pointer, which was not converted.
Having conceded ground early on and leaving themselves under unnecessary Stornoway were keen to play the game in the visitors half even though they were against a slight breeze. Peter Hobson was up to the task at stand off and his kicking game was out of the top drawer, turning the Strathspey defence and putting the home side on the front foot on a regular basis. From one such period of pressure the Stornoway pack drove deep into the visitors 22. After securing good line out ball the forwards were able to recycle well while surging for the line, gritty defence held the maul up just short of the line but the Strathspey defence were not able to stop Alex Granville from breaking free to score. Again this went unconverted but Stornoway were worthy of their ten point lead. Having powered into the lead Stornoway were still made to work hard by an experienced Strathspey side. The visitors tried hard to put together a number of attacks only to find themselves thwarted by a strong Stornoway defence.
Next came Stornoways 3rd try, which was easily the moment of the match. After Steve Liddle retrieved loose ball on the half way line, he popped to Hobson then inter passing and fantastic support lines, from both backs and forwards, left Quinten Nel to take the final pass to touch down under the posts and after Euan "Moley" Macleod added the extra points, Stornoway turned at half time with a 17 point lead.
The game restarted with Strathspey keen to get back into the fixture and they enjoyed the lions share of possession in the second period. The character shown by the Stornoway defence, led in mid-field by Beattie and Hunter and with some bone crunching hits from Angus "Bubble" Mackay up front, was nothing short of heroic. Time and time again they were able to soak up the Strathspey onslaught which proved to frustrate both the travelling players and their coaching team on the sideline. Stornoway finally broke Strathspeys spirits and hearts when from one such attack they broke free for Euan "Moley" Macleod to run in under the posts for the Islanders 4th and bonus point try, which he converted for the match to end 24 - 0 to the home side.
A new found desire and hunger within the ranks of the Island side has seen them raise their game in recent weeks, since a poor start to the league campaign. A number of the clubs senior players have shown their experience, on and off the the field, to help the coaches put things right. This is matched by the youth and enthusiasm from a number of new players that have been welcome additions to the side. This performance was arguably Stornoways best of the season against a strong Strathspey side. The forwards were dominant, with the back row outstanding in both defence and attack and this was complimented by the speed and strength of the backline who are playing with real confidence.
Stornoway were, on the day, able to call on 23 players! Imagine the possiblities if those numbers were available to play and train every week? Still a number of things for the coaches to work on ahead of two very hard away games to RAF opposition. This Saturday they travel to Lossiemouth before next weeks trip to Kinloss.
Stornoway: A MacDonald, D Graham, A Mackay, CT Moody, T Soszka, A Granvillw, S Liddle, A MacArthur, D Mackay, P Hobson, J Curran, M Hunter, D Beattie, Q Nel, E Macleod. Replacements: C Allen, D Macdonald, M McGee, D Rennie, A Ribbens(all used) G Macleod, I Macuish, A Lomu(not used)