Garioch win the League

RAF Lossiemouth 20 - 43 Garioch

Garioch made the long journey north last Saturday to face off against RAF Lossiemouth in their final North league play off match. Garioch were aware before the match that they only required a single league point from the match to secure the division title and although the Inverurie men had recorded a comfortable win against the fliers in their last encounter two weeks ago, they were taking nothing for granted this time out. A fierce wind was blowing right down the pitch so both sides knew they would be in for a tough encounter.

Garioch took up a strong looking side for the match with Benvie, Meithke and McDonald forming a formidable looking front row. McMahon and Stuart Morrison formed the engine room ahead of Richardson, Waterston and captain Neil Moir in the back row. In the backs Hardwick and Donaghue continued their partnership at half back with Lawson and Imrie continuing their centre combination. The side was completed by Bloice and Euan Moir on the wings and Reg Tayler at full back. Garioch won the toss and elected to play with the wind at their backs in the first half.

After some tense opening encounters, it was the visitors who struck the first real blow. A poor kick return by the Lossiemouth winger was seized upon by Lawson who began a charge towards the line. As the defence caught up to him, the Garioch centre threw an offload out of the back of his hand. The ball was collected on the half volley by Imrie who drew the full back before feeding the supporting Bloice for the first try of the afternoon.

It wasn't long before Garioch scored their second of the day. This time the Lossie defence was unable to stop Lawson and the Garioch centre crossed for his first try of the match. Garioch were utilising the wind to full effect with some excellent tactical kicking from Donaghue keeping the home side pinned deep within their own territory.

Garioch's third score was another well worked effort. From a scrum on the home side's 22, the ball was passed out to the backs. A well timed move saw Imrie break through the defensive line before offloading to the supporting Tayler. It looked to all the world as though Tayler was going to make the line himself however some good covering defence stopped him short. However, in the act of being tackled, Tayler managed to offload the ball to Jamie Waterston who collapsed over the line for the score. The conversion from Moir was successful.

Although the home side were having a good go of things, their number 8 Emerson in particular making some strong runs, Garioch's defence was holding firm. Garioch's next score came from a well worked move that was straight from the training park. The Garioch pack collected a line out and started the drive forward. Just when it looked like the Lossie pack had stopped the advance, Hardwick spun the ball out to the back line where a well executed move allowed Lawson to lose his marker and burst through under the posts for the score. The conversion by Moir was successful. This fourth score of the afternoon gave Garioch the bonus point that they needed for promotion at the start of the day. Although promotion was now secured regardless of the outcome of the match, the visitors were still keen to ensure that they took the maximum points on offer back to Inverurie.

Towards the end of the first period Lossie again started to impose themselves in the game and their efforts were rewarded by a try from their full back on the stroke of half time.

In the second half Garioch know they would have to be at their best to withstand the home side's onslaught. With the wind picking up even more, Garioch knew it would be impossible for them to kick the ball clear so they would have to run the ball at every opportunity. However, this inability to clear the lines was taking its toll on the visitors and an extended period of pressure from the home side eventually saw them burst over for a score near the posts. Matters were made worse for Garioch when the referee saw fit to reward captain Moir with 10 minutes in the sin bin following a dangerous tackle.

Against the run of play and with a man down, Garioch managed to extend their lead even further with a good try on the counter attack. A break by Euan Moir up the left wing was eventually halted by the covering defence. The winger fed the supporting Imrie who, realising he didn't have the pace to make the line fed a floated pass over the head of the defender allowing Donaghue the space to burst for the line. Showing uncharacteristic pace, the Garioch stand off ran clear of the covering defence to dive over near the posts for the visitors' fifth try of the afternoon.

Another clean break up the centre of the park led to Garioch's sixth try shortly after. After the initial break was halted, the ball was recycled quickly by the forwards before it found its way to Hardwick. The scrum half's eye for a score has earned him a growing reputation this season and the Garioch 9 sauntered in from the 22 for the try.

Although Garioch had by now secured the victory, the home side showed great passion and determination by never giving up the fight. Only some solid defence from the visitors kept the home side at bay. Then substitute Laird Parker, all of a sudden thinking he was David Haye, managed to get into a scrap with his opposite number with the result of a split eyebrow for Parker and a spell on the sidelines for both perpetrators.

Lossie continued to pressure the Garioch line and eventually they managed to squeeze over for a try in the corner. The referee sounded his whistle for full time straight after and Garioch began their celebrations. A hard earned victory was the perfect cap to a good season and Garioch will now be looking to take this form into the promotion play offs in a couple of weeks time.

Man of the match was awarded to Kyron Meithke for his good work around the field and strong ball carrying. Next weekend sees Garioch take a break from 15 a side action when they compete in the Banff 7 a side tournament.