Waysiders maul their way to a great win

Sep 17 2008 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

IAN GRANT bagged a try in each half as Waysiders continued their unbeaten start to the season at Glensburgh Road.

Some superb forward play helped Jon Shaw’s team score three tries from driving mauls that were enough to see off Grangemouth.

Now Waysiders will welcome the visit of Tranent outfit Ross High as they look to record a third successive win.

Coach Shaw told the Advertiser: “Once again we had issues regarding players’ availability but our guys showed a lot of character and commitment.

“The forwards played well and we took the game to them up-front but we made a lot of mistakes that kept them in the match.

“Our goal was to pick up points from our first three games and that is what we have done.

“We are settling down now and we will soon be in a position where we have our full squad available.”

The home side established themselves as the better side in the first quarter of the game and some poor Waysiders handling on their own line saw them give away a penalty converted by Forbes.

Waysiders were being put under pressure but the defence stood firm to keep the Stags at bay.

Shaw’s troops needed a score and it arrived on the half-hour mark when the forwards set up a driving maul with Grant going over and Phil McKenzie adding the conversion.

McKenzie slotted over a penalty to make it 10-3 and Waysiders’ excellent end to the first half continued with another touchdown.

Another driving maul did the damage, the Stags unable to prevent Stephen Wilson crossing the line.

Leading 15-3, it was the Waysiders’ game to lose but that never looked likely as they enjoyed the slope advantage after the break and dominated the contest.

For long spells, the Stags were pinned back but the Langloan outfit just couldn’t seem to turn pressure into points because of the hosts’ great defending.

But they were unable to hold out and Waysiders’ third driving maul led to Grant notching up his second try of the afternoon with McKenzie adding the extras.

With victory assured, Waysiders hunted a fourth try in order to secure a bonus point but it wasn’t to be.

Grangemouth..............................3 Waysiders/Drumpellier............. 22