On Saturday Garnock faced Aberdeen Grammar Rugby for their first ever visit to Lochshore. Earlier in the season Garnock had taken the 5 points up at Rubislaw in a very high scoring game.
The game kicked off in mild conditions with the pitch in soft condition. The visitors game out of the blocks firing on all cylinders and quickly took a 14 point lead. Garnock worked their way into the game and from a 5m lineout Stuart Wilson opened the home account with a try . Conv missed 5-14
Aberdeen Grammar were next to add to their tally with a further try to push their lead to 5-21. At this point Garnock appeared to regain their composure and set about reducing the deficit through their forward power.. For the remainder of the first half the home side were in total control adding three further tries though Matt Shiells, Joe Chapman and Lewis McGeachy all of which were converted taking the half-time score to 26-21
The game restarted with Garnock seeking to continue their dominance and the visitors looking to stem the flow. Garnock added two further tries in quick succession through Jonny Watson and Stuart Wilson. Both converted 40-21
At this point Grammar were either going to buckle or show their fighting spirit. To their immense credit it was the latter and they quickly added a score via their backs taking it to 40-28. Unfortunately at this point Garnock lost influential scrum-half Keir Walker to injury and with no back replacement on the bench some significant reshuffling was required.
Grammar took full advantage of the situation adding two further well worked tries taking the score to 40-40 before adding a penalty to take them in front. 40-43
Not to be outdone the home side again worked their way into the visitors 22 and from a 5m penalty Matt Shiells was again able to breach the line. Conv good 47-43
With only 5 minutes remaining it seemed to be a case that the next score would decide the outcome. Grammar piled on the pressure in the home 22 before finally scoring from close range to bring the final score to 47-50
This was a game which both sides will feel they could have won more convincingly and Garnock will no doubt be disappointed to let a 19 point lead slip away. Aberdeen Grammar are to be commended for their resilience in the second half which gave them the victory
Next fixture is 7th December away at Cartha with a 3pm kick off
Garnock squad v Aberdeen Grammar Shiells, Mcguire, F miller, McGeachy, Watson, Wilson, A Miller, Brocket, K Walker, R walker, Wynn, Anderson, Smith, Young, Jacobson Reps Chapman, O’Neill, Craig and King
