đđ Match Report - 27th January 18 đđ Moffat RFC vs Annan 2XV "HAMSTER OUT OF HIBERNATION"
The Rams welcomed Annan 2XV to Holm Park on Saturday for a friendly match, the second time the two teams have met in as many weeks under similar conditions, wet muddy and heavy going.
Rams won the coin toss and Cammy Little kicked deep into the Annan half to get us underway. Annan put together some good passages of plays early on with clean ball off the set piece the backs had the chance to play and make some valuable ground. Rams where slow out the pens up front but nonetheless the defence stood firm for a time.
Annan soon breached the line after some relentless forward play, the Rams giving away too many penaltyâs resulted in the visitors going 7 points up. Annan soon found themselves on the scoresheet again after a period of even possession by both teams. A quick ball off the lineout out through the hands to the Annan centre who attacked the oncoming blitz defence only for him to chip and chase his own kick before taking on David Steele in the last ditch tackle was good but the offload was just as good to score under the posts. 0v14
Unfortunately the Rams lost 2 players through injury Johnny Little and Keir Bell exited with Rory Drennan and Scott Galloway entering, bringing some robust ball carrying Drennan nearly getting on the score sheet off his first carry only to be held up over the line. Off that the Rams edged Annan back deep into their own half but some aggressive defence from the Rams and with Annan keen to throw the ball about winger Callum Scott chose his moment well and intercepted the pass running clear to score converted by Cammy Little.7v14.
It wasn't long off the restart and the substitutes made their impact. Hammy âThe Hamsterâ McGregor came out of hibernation for the day and certainly filling the scrum half shirt! He soon blew off the dust and it was like he had never been away. Galloway on the gallop with the offload to Drennan who bumped and burled his way over the half way.
Annan tried their best to create disruption at the breakdown, some scrappy ball eventually ended up in the hands of Cammy who cleverly chipped ahead for fullback Steele to burst on through the defence and score unconverted. 12v14 HT
Similar to the first half the game was played end to end and Annan gave a good account of themselves and were soon another unconverted score up within 15mins 12v19.
This prompting the Rams into action McGregor still going strong had the forwards working and carrying so much so battering away at the line for large periods only for a knock on short of the line and Annan to exit down field to score unconverted against the play.12v24.
From the kick off the ball found Drennan who played Scott Cochrane through the gap for him to clear the road player after player for Callum Scott to take the offload and run for the corner. Some last ditch defence saw Annan give away needless penaltys. Rams chose to Scrum down five metres out from the line. Drennan picked from the scrum and Cammy ran a hard line from Stand off on the switch with Drennan to crash over unconverted 17v24.
Tails up the Rams gave it another gear similar pressure and another scrum five metres out this time Drennan was quicker off the mark with McGregor becoming a dummy runner as Drennan bundled his way over, again the conversion just wide. 22v24
Full time approaching and the Rams reduced to 13 players due to injuries battled hard for the remaining minutes. Another good game sadly not in our favour but none the less plenty of positives to take. FT 22V24.
Team Manager George Morrow commented âSome great carries from Cochrane, Drennan and Scott Borthwick in the the build up to some well worked trys, a bit more composure and game management and the result would have been a sure winâ.
SQUAD S Galloway S Borthwick J Little N Duncanson R Drennan G Cameron K Bell S Cochrane R Herdsman C Currie G McGregor C Little C Scott G Smith M W Jones D Steele S Jackson
Special thank you to Colin Warrick of Annan for standing in as referee after some last minute call offs left the home side short and our referee was required to play and also to David Borthwick Photography for attending, much appreciated as always.
(All pictures remain the property of David Borthwick Photography unless purchased and are for Moffat Rugby Club use only)
đNext Senior Home match is on Saturday 3rd February vs Shawlands ko12 please check our website or Facebook page for further information.
đNext U14 Home match is on Sunday 4th February vs Annan RFC U14. Kick off at 12noon
