Stewartry RFC thump Cambuslang to keep up West League One promotion push

Stewartry’s scheduled fixture at Garnock fell foul of Covid.

But, after negotiations with the SRU, the Blacks agreed to give up home advantage and travelled north when Cambuslang decided against a trip to Castle Douglas.

It turned out to be a bit of a robust encounter after Stewartry kicked off in the sunny conditions and lost the first lineout.

A big scrum drive for the Blacks on five minutes saw Cambuslang produce the handbags before Stevie Hogg won a penalty followed by another after good pressure from TJ McCarney and John Picken.

The efforts paid off in ten minutes when a charging run saw Michael Yates crash over for the opening try 5-0.

The referee was just keeping the game from boiling over as Cambuslang hit back with a try in the corner. 5-5.

The troublesome Yates made good ground down the wing in twenty four minutes to be held up over the line but four minutes later he crashed through for a second score.

John Picken added the points 12-5.

After some more squabbles on the half hour Cambuslang lost to their number ten to a yellow card for dangerous play. Stewartry added a third try from the penalty, Tom McLean crashing over, Picken converting 19-5.

Cambuslang fought back with a cheeky kick over the Blacks defence to score in the corner, 19-10.

The bonus point try came from some scrappy play, Robert Austin touching down just on half time, 24-10.

The Blacks wasted no time after the break, hooker Keiran McGuire taking the catch and making good progress with brother Connor to give TJ McCarney the chance to finish off the move for try number five, Picken converting 31-10.

Lochie Spence came on for Yates and more injuries to the Cambuslang forwards saw scrums go uncontested which gave them the chance to win some ball.

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