Birkmyre 21 – 8 Loch Lomond / Helensburgh
Arnold Clark West Division 2
Saturday 26th April 2025 – KO 2.45pm
Birkmyre finished the season off on a high with a victory over Lomond Helensburgh on Saturday. The game was lower scoring than anticipated with only 4 tries from both sides, however, Birkmyre came out on top by 21 points to 8.
It took nearly 15 minutes for the first score. The visitors, despite already being relegated, were being very competitive but had not managed to convert their possession into points. Birkmyre then won a scrum about 10m out to the right of the pitch. The backs worked the ball across the line and it ended up in the hands of winger Adam Hannah. Using his pace & power he drove forward pushing two defenders away as he crossed the whitewash near the corner. David Cruickshank slotted over the conversion from the 5m line.
The remainder of the half saw both sides create chances, but neither were initially able to convert. The game did however take a slight change 37 minutes in when second row, Martyn White, received a yellow card for being off his feet in a ruck. From the resulting penalty, Helensburgh chose a scrum. After a few rumbles with their forwards, they popped the ball slightly wider where they found enough space to dive in for the try. The missed conversion brought the half to an end.
Helensburgh then took the lead 5 minutes into the second half. Having won a penalty in front of the post, they elected for a kick at goal which was duly slotted over. The game remained very competitive however Birkmyre were confident they could turn the score around.
It took until the 61st minute for that confidence to pay off. Birkmyre had been threatening the opposition try line for a few minutes. Having won a penalty 5m out, Callum Moglia took charge and from a tap & go, he powered over single handedly for the 5 points. Cruickshank converted.
Moglia then scored his second on the 66th minute but this time it was much more of a team effort. Having won a scrum 10m inside their own half, Moglia started the move with a number 8 pick-up. The backs and forwards combined to go through multiple phases, steadily gaining yards up the pitch. They then went wide left with the backs and got the ball once again into Adam Hannah’s hands. He took the ball 30m before sliding a pass to Michael McGeoch. He was then tackled 2m short of the line but had the vision to pop the ball to Moglia who was running in support for a walk in under the posts. Cruickshank again converted.
The game then came to a slightly early end. From the resultant kick off, one the Helensburgh players suffered a serious head knock. There was no foul play however medical attention was needed. As a result of not being able to move the player from the field, the game was called 10 minutes early.
Birkmyre finish the season 5th in the table which is very respectable given they only won promotion into the division last year. They will look to build on this success and push for promotion again next season.
Scorers: Tries:- C Moglia (2), A Hannah; Conversions:- D Cruickshank (3)
Thank you to Fiona Wallace for photographs from today’s match
The final table:
