It was 1st v 2nd at Coats Park this afternoon, and for the Villagers they had to settle for bringing 2 bonus points back to Castle Policies as they succumbed to the better organisation of the home side, losing out 34-31 in a match that swung both ways.

The Villagers opened the scoring on 11 minutes when Ross McKeown broke lose in midfield and powered over for the try. Ru Anderson added the conversion for a 7 point lead. The home side hit back almost immediately, capitalising on Uddingston's failure to clear their lines before working through the phases to score. The conversion levelled the scoring.

The next 20 minutes saw Cambus turn the screw and 3 unanswered tries in a 20 minute period pushed them into a 24-7 lead, and secured the 4 try bonus before the break. The Villagers weren't out of the match yet, and with half time looming a quick tap penalty from Ru West saw him barge through the defence to score at the posts. Anderson made sure of the kick to take the sides into the break with Cambus ahead 24-14.

The second half started in the same way as the first, with the Villagers getting the early score to settle the nerves. This time it was Josh McPhail who broke clear on halfway to create the space. With the ball moved through the hands, McPhail looped round to collect the offload and dive over in the corner. Anderson's conversion fell short but he made amends 3 minutes later, finishing off a bold counter attack by McPhail to collect and score at the posts. Another successful conversion pushed the Villagers into a 2 point lead, 24-26, with 30 minutes still to play.

As was becoming the pattern of this match, with the Villagers getting their noses in front it was the home side who then hit back with a quick fire double, exploiting gaps in the Villagers' defence. Neither conversion found the target but the home side now had an 8 point advantage.

With the match approaching the hour mark it was the Villagers turn to score, Ross McFadden finishing off some fine handling as Uddingston moved the ball wide from a penalty 10 metres out from the home try line. The conversion drifted wide and it was all to play for in the final quarter with the scoreline at 34-31.

Despite some huge efforts from both sides in the closing stages, the scoreboard remained untroubled and the Villagers had to settle for 2 bonus points, while Cambus strengthened their grip on top spot claiming all 5 points.

Results elsewhere saw Bishopton fall for the first time this season, losing out 23-19 at Strathendrick. These results see the Villagers slip back to 3rd in the table but level on points with 2nd placed Strathendrick.

Next Saturday, 11 November, the Villagers will be looking to make amends at the start of a run of 3 home fixtures. Lanarkshire rivals Waysiders Drumpellier are the visitors to Castle Policies with the action getting underway at 2pm.