After a two week break Garnock returned to league action against local rivals Irvine at Marress.
Coach Ruxton had made a number of positional changes within the squad following the recent game at Kilmarnock. The game kicked off with Garnock attacking toward the clubhouse. After 5 minutes the visitors had worked their way into the Irvine 22 and following a period of pressure they were awarded a 5m scrum. From the set piece a backline move resulted in Jared Reekie breaking between the Irvine centres and scoring beside the posts . The conversion was successful and Garnock were 7-0 ahead.
After 14 minutes Garnock were once again within sight of the Irvine line. Following an infringement by Irvine Garnock kicked to touch 5m from the line. Another pre-planned lineout play resulted in Lewis McGeachy powering over the line close to the touchline. The difficult conversion was narrowly wide. 12-0
The match continued in a similar manner with Garnock enjoying the majority of the possession and Irvine struggling to move play out of their own half. After 25 minutes Garnock were once gain camped in the 22. Following some close quarter work Luke Wynn thundered over for Garnock’s third try. 17-0
The bonus point try was not long in following. Garnock were once again inside the 22 and yet again Irvine infringed. Keir Walker took a quick tap from 10m out and cantered over the line. The conversion was successful moving the score to 24-o after 32 minutes.
By this time Garnock were in total control of all aspects of the game. After 35 minutes Garnock were awarded a scrum on the Irvine 22. A solid platform allowed Keir Walker to break from the base and lacklustre defence rewarded the scrum half with a try. Walker converted his own try . 31-0
Irvine kicked the restart long into the 22 and some fine handling by Garnock’s backs and forwards created an overlap and Jared Reekie cruised up field before been tackled just short of the Irvine 22. Slick handling moved the ball across the field finding prop forward Luke Wynn on the far touchline. The prop showed speed and strength to cover the last 30m outflanking the covering defence to score in the corner. The difficult conversion was missed.
The referee blew his whistle for half-time with Garnock leading 36-0. Coach Ruxton was pleased with the first half performance and looked for more of the same in the second period stressing that the boys should stick to structure . Vice- captain Walker commented that he would be “extremely disappointed” ( or words to that effect) if concentration were to lapse and any points were to be conceded.
Just 5 minutes into the second period Garnock were once again in the Irvine 22. A sublime back of the hand off load from Lewis McGeachy found Per Jacobson in space 5m from the line with no defenders left. Conversion good moving the score to 43-0
Play continued with Irvine threatening little but defending stoutly. After 55 minutes a clever kick over the defensive line by Keir Walker resulted in Jared Reekie outpacing the covering defenders to collect the ball and canter over the line unchallenged. The successful conversion brought up the half century
With Garnock leading comfortably the next 10 minutes were a little flat before Ross Brocket ( returned to No8 following a number of games in the backs ) made a powerful break into the Irvine 22 unselfishly releasing the supporting Per Jacobson to score in the corner. 55-0
The Garnock pack had been dominant in the set piece for the entire game and with 8 minutes remaining they drove the Irvine pack backwards in a scrum 10m from the home line allowing Keir Walker to collect the ball at the base and scamper over in the corner. 60-0
With time running out Garnock were yet again attacking the Irvine 22. After some close quarter work the ball was spread wide and Jacobson completed his hat-trick in the corner 65-0
The referee blew for full-time shortly thereafter much to the relief of the home supporters
This was a significantly improved performance from Garnock with the positional changes made by coach Ruxton bringing greater threats from all areas of the pitch. Much sterner tests will follow for Garnock over the remaining weeks of the season.
Next Saturday Garnock welcome Lenzie to Lochshore for a 3pm kick off
Garnock squad v Irvine. M Shiells, R O’Neill, L Wynn, L McGeachy, J Chapman, J Watson, D Ramsay-Miller, R Brocket, K Walker, R Walker, C Williams, R Dominy, J Reekie, T Woods and P Jacobson. Replacements C Wilson, F Miller, A Miller and G Ruxton
