FOR the second week in a row Greenock Wanderers had only a try bonus point to show for their efforts as their battle against relegation suffered another setback on Saturday, writes John Dyer.
Despite the 37-29 defeat at home to Dunfermline, the home supporters were delighted at the non-stop effort of the players against a visiting team who had scored 50 points without reply on the sides’ last meeting on the opening day of the National 4 campaign.
Wanderers were very aware that they had to take something out of the match, and they got off to the perfect start, scrum half Andrew McDougall crossing the line for two early scores, throwing an outrageous dummy for one of them, as the hosts opened up a 14-0 lead.
Thereafter, though, the visitors’ huge pack asserted their influence, and Dunfermline hit back with three tries of their own before the break; in mitigation, the efficiency of Wanderers’ pack was hampered by in injury to prop Murray MacDonald in the 20TH minute, with Dunfermline taking full advantage.
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Jack McDaid’s penalty ensured the teams headed into the dressing rooms at half-time level at 17-17 – but with the wind at their backs in the second half, the visitors added two unconverted tries in the first 12 minutes after the break to open up a 27-17 lead.
Wanderers were slowly creeping back into the match, but were unable to make the last few yards to score, and another injury blow, with winger Garath Knox forced off to be replaced by Andrew Arnott, set back the hosts even further.
Callum Robb crossed the line for the Wanderers’ third score, but any hopes of a grandstand finish were dispelled when two more quick unconverted tries gave Dunfermline a 37-22 lead.
Roy Jackson’s score in the final quarter was enough to secure a try bonus point for Wanderers, whose unstinting efforts provide plenty of encouragement for what remains of the campaign in spite of their defeat.
The result leaves Wanderers five points adrift of third-bottom Stewartry, who were beaten 59-12 away to Moray on Saturday, though with only three league matches now remaining for the Fort Matilda men, who have played one more match than the Castle Douglas side, the need for points has never been greater.
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Wanderers’ first XV are on home soil for the second week running when the division’s bottom club, North Berwick, come to Fort Matilda this Saturday, March 1 – a chance for Wanderers to avenge probably their most disappointing result of the campaign so far, a 24-20 loss in East Lothian back on November 9.
The North Berwick match is one of two for local rugby fans to enjoy at Fort Matilda this Saturday, with Wanderers’ second XV facing off against their Cartha Queens Park counterparts.
Both of Saturday’s matches get under way at 3pm.
Greenock Wanderers’ club sponsor is MMSEARCH; the ladies are sponsored by Straps of Gourock and Brow House Cosmetics.
