Bishopton 49 – 45 Birkmyre
Venue: Holmpark, Bishopton
Date: Saturday, 25th October 2025
Kick-off: 2:45pm
Arnold Clark West Region League Division 2 (Men’s)
Birkmyre picked up two bonus points in defeat away to local rivals Bishopton at the weekend.The high-scoring game saw both sides run in seven tries each, with Bishopton edging it 49-45 at full time.
Bishopton opened the scoring in the fifth minute. Having won a scrum from a knock-on at the kick-off, they camped in the Birkmyre half where the pressure told as they went over for a converted try.
Birkmyre replied quickly when Liam Nicholas fought his way over from close range after a positive spell of play for the visitors. David Cruickshank converted.
Bishopton scored again on 24 minutes, but the lead was cancelled out by Ross Moglia, who picked up the ball 50 metres out, broke tackles and powered through for the score.
Michael McGeoch then got on the scoreboard in the 38th minute with a brilliant solo effort. He chipped the ball through inside the Bishopton 22, collected his own kick, and forced his way over the line despite the attention of defenders.
However, with little time left in the half, Bishopton struck again to lead 21-19 at the break.
Bishopton started the second half strongly, scoring in the 45th minute after a line-out on the right. They went through several phases before going wide to touch down.
On 57 minutes, they extended their lead to 35-19 following another line-out near halfway, working the ball downfield through multiple phases and taking advantage of some loose defending.
Findlay Rayner pulled one back for Birkmyre four minutes later. After good work by Moglia down the touchline, he popped the ball to Rayner in support. From 40 metres out, Rayner jinked inside and used his pace to score under the posts.
In the 69th minute, Bishopton looked to have put the game to bed with their sixth converted try, coming from a charged-down clearance kick.
But Birkmyre refused to give up. Substitute Struan McCamley held off defenders to score near the corner flag in the 72nd minute.
Bishopton added another try soon after before McGeoch crossed for his second of the game, running in from 35 metres. Rayner then reduced the deficit to four points with another try, again combining with Moglia on the opposite wing.
Birkmyre pushed hard in the closing stages. With the clock in the red, they kicked to the corner for a line-out following a penalty, but they lost the contest and Bishopton cleared to end the match.
Birkmyre now have a two-week break for the international window before returning to action at home to Lochaber on Saturday, 15th November at Birkmyre Park.
Photos by: Fiona Wallace
Table: (as at 27/10/25)
| Pos | Team | P | W | L | D | F | A | Diff | TB | LB | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wigtownshire RFC | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 235 | 168 | +67 | 5 | 1 | 32 |
| 2 | Cambuslang RFC | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 372 | 149 | +223 | 6 | 1 | 31 |
| 3 | Cumbernauld RFC | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 218 | 96 | +122 | 4 | 1 | 27 |
| 4 | Irvine RFC | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 214 | 161 | +53 | 6 | 1 | 23 |
| 5 | Bishopton RFC | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 188 | 214 | -26 | 3 | 1 | 20 |
| 6 | Lochaber RFC | 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 233 | 141 | +92 | 3 | 2 | 17 |
| 7 | Birkmyre RFC | 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 185 | 252 | -67 | 3 | 1 | 16 |
| 8 | Mid Argyll RFC | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 158 | 252 | -94 | 2 | 1 | 11 |
| 9 | Uddingston RFC | 7 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 177 | 422 | -245 | 4 | 1 | 9 |
| 10 | Waysiders/Drumpellier RFC | 7 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 102 | 227 | -125 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
Saturday 25th October 2025 – Results
-
Bishopton RFC 49–45 Birkmyre RFC
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Irvine RFC 24–38 Wigtownshire RFC
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Lochaber RFC 10–32 Cumbernauld RFC
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Mid Argyll RFC 53–52 Uddingston RFC
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Waysiders/Drumpellier RFC 10–50 Cambuslang RFC
Saturday 15th November 2025 – Fixtures (2:00 PM Kick-offs)
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Birkmyre RFC v Lochaber RFC
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Cambuslang RFC v Irvine RFC
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Cumbernauld RFC v Mid Argyll RFC
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Uddingston RFC v Waysiders/Drumpellier RFC
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Wigtownshire RFC v Bishopton RFC