On a beautiful late summer day Garnock opened their Nat 4 campaign with a home fixture against Ross High at Lochshore.
Garnock fielded a side with a number of changes from the previous week however the home team’s plans were upset with an injury to stand off Gareth McCrorie in the warm up resulting in a last minute change. Rory Walker moved from from centre to stand off and Iain Waterston joined the backs from the bench.
The game kicked off with Garnock playing down the slight slope . The early exchanges were a little nervy from both sides however it was apparent that the strong running Garnock pack were going to take it to the opposition with Ross Brocket, Matt Shiells and Luke Wynn to the fore.
Following a spell of pressure in the visitors 22 Garnock opened the scoring through Matt Shiells with the big prop loitering out wide. Conversion successful 7-0. The visitors were not daunted by the setback and came into the game with their outside centre making a number of breaks . One such break pierced the home defence and an unselfish pass resulted in a try for Samuel Scanlon. Conversion successful 7-7
Almost from the kick off Garnock regained the ball and a sublime line from centre, Rory Dominy, carved through the defence and the big centre finished from 40m. Conversion wide 12-7 after 20 mins.
During the first quarter the scrums had been relatively even however Garnock were dominant in the lineout regardless of which team had the throw in.
In a match dominated by the forwards it was unsurprising that the next score was again through the Garnock pack. A successful catch and drive from 10m out resulted in Matt Shiells touching down for his second. Conversion successful 19-7.
With the first half ebbing away Ross High worked their way up the pitch through the boot of their stand off. Following a decent defensive effort by the home team the visitors were eventually awarded a penalty in front of the posts which they elected to kick for goal. Penalty successful 19-10
Garnock were by now seeking the four try bonus before half time. Another fine break by Rory Dominy was halted 10m out however the ball was off loaded to the supporting Stuart Wilson who cruised under the posts. Conversion successful 26-10
The half time score did not truly reflect the play as the visitors probably did not deserve to be 16 points behind however the Garnock dominance at the line out was causing a problem and by this stage the home pack were getting the upper hand in the scrum.
The second half was fairly one sided with the visitors struggling to get into opposition territory other than through the boot.
The first score of the half came from a blind side break by stand off Rory Walker who released brother, Keir, and the scrum half finished well from 20m. Conversion wide 31-10. Shortly thereafter Garnock were again in the visitors 22. They were awarded a penalty which they elected to kick for goal. Penalty successful 34-10
The next name on the scoresheet was , once again, that of Matt Shiells. Garnock were applying pressure 5m from the line and a short pop pass from Keir Walker allowed the big prop to breenge over. Conversion successful 41-10
Not to be out done by the pack the Garnock back line were showing some neat handling and one such move released winger Jared Reekie who outpaced the full back to score between the posts. Conversion successful 48-10
With 7 minutes remaining Garnock again worked their way into the visitors 22. Sharp scrum-half Keir Walker spotted a gap close to a ruck and sniped over for the score. Conversion successful 55-10
The final score of the day was one of the best. The impressive home No8 , Ross Brocket , collected the ball in midfield and bust through the Ross High defensive line. With only the visitors full back to beat the No8 unselfishly passed the ball back inside to the supporting Keir Walker to score beside the posts. Conversion good 62-10
This was an improved performance by the home side but there is further improvement to come. Regretfully hooker, Richard O’Neill, suffered a knee injury which we hope will not keep him out for too long.
Ross High will no doubt have better days this season and the return fixture in Tranent is likely to be significantly tougher.
Player of the Match was the Garnock No8, Ross Brocket
