U16s Secure their 2nd Final of the Season 🥳🥳

LOMOND HELENSBURGH U16s 31 – 12 ARDROSSAN ACCIES

Credit:Robin Smith

Duchesswood Grit Sends Helensburgh to Another Final 🌧️ 💪❄️

The Lomond Helensburgh boys are no strangers to rough weather, but even by local standards Duchesswood served up a proper test on Sunday. The raised pitch was a picture of water and mud, the sort of afternoon where the wind bites the hands and the ground seems determined to keep the ball for itself.

Many a hard Helensburgh battle has been fought on that pitch and this one was no different. Bitter spring wind, muddy boots, cold fingers, yet plenty of smiles from players and supporters alike. It was exactly the sort of afternoon that the powerful big men in the forwards secretly love. A proper grafting day for the pack.

Lomond Helensburgh struck first through Kayden, powering over for an early try that lifted the home crowd. Ardrossan responded well, however, crossing twice before the break, one converted, to edge ahead.

The first half proved frustrating for Helensburgh. Multiple penalties at the breakdown, with the referee taking a particularly strict view on players not rolling away in the tackle, repeatedly halted momentum and kept the home side from getting ahead on the scoreboard.

As the teams turned with Helensburgh now facing the wind and rain, the score stood finely balanced at Helensburgh 10 – 12 Ardrossan.

By the second half the pitch looked less like a rugby field and more like a freshly ploughed field. The ball, when kicked, either bounced like a soaked sponge or simply dribbled along depending on which muddy patch it found.

The Helensburgh pack began to assert themselves. Archie was a driving force in the forwards, while Ryan made a series of strong carries that steadily rocked the Ardrossan defence. The scrum in particular became a real weapon. Helensburgh’s superb scrummaging in the second half saw them not only dominate their own ball but even win scrums against the head.

Despite the conditions the Helensburgh support on the touchline stayed loud and encouraging, one eye on the clubhouse providing a warm welcome and keeping spirits high.

With around fifteen minutes to play the game began to turn. Ewan gathered a fine pass and cut through to score, putting Helensburgh back in front at 17 – 12.

Then came a moment typical of Shuggie. After a match full of his trademark Gatling gun tackling, he burst forward and charged over the line with eight minutes remaining, stretching the lead to 24 – 12 and giving the home crowd plenty to cheer.

Helensburgh were not finished yet. In the closing stages Ewan crossed again to seal the victory, bringing the final score to Helensburgh 31 – 12 Ardrossan.

Man of the Match went to Archie, whose tireless work in the forwards made him a real force to be reckoned with. His relentless tackling and powerful carries repeatedly drove Helensburgh forward and set the tone for the pack’s dominance in the second half.

A tremendous effort from the whole squad as Lomond Helensburgh book their place in another final this season, their second of the year, and the boys were delighted to have such strong local support cheering them on at Duchesswood.