Lanark Rugby Club had a convincing 41 – 0 win over Cowal on Saturday. This sets them up for a semi -final home tie against Strathendrick on the 11th Feb in the West Regional Bowl Competition. With their opponents dominating the league above them this season, it is going to be a big ask.
Saturday’s game was played in difficult conditions to say the least. Both sides made a show of it with wet snow lying and more constantly falling. The touch lines were kept cleared so that the boundaries were recognised. Handling the ball was never easy with slush attached. In spite of it Lanark crossed for seven tries. Cowal who had had to travel without reserves and were at a disadvantage with a makeshift line up held Lanark to a 10 – 0 score line at the break, Lanark’s tries being scored by Andrew Angus and Kevin McCormack.
However the flood gates opened on the restart. An impressive forward drive from a set scrum had Ciaran Stormonth getting the touchdown. Steve Mc Keown’s first try came from a poor clearance kick which gave him the ball in the open with the Cowal defence stretched. This was followed minutes later by some good handling and strong running to give him his second. Cowal through injury were reduced to thirteen players and with Johnny O’Neil and Nic Humphries adding to the try count, complemented by Iain Hughes’ three conversions, the referee called an early halt. There were no complaints! Thanks go to Cowal for making a game of it.
With the international on at BT Murrayfield there is no game this Saturday.
Ken Scott
30 01 17