W/D earn win over Caithness

Mar 10 2010 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge

IT was a case of home sweet home for Waysiders/Drumpellier RFC as they gatecrashed the top six by ending a four-game winless streak.

The Coatbridge outfit had not played a National League Two fixture at Langloan since late November.

And John Shaw’s men made up for lost time by scoring five tries and clinching a nine-point win over Caithness.

The result allowed W/D to leapfrog their Highland opponents in the table and move to within three points of fourth position.

A ninth triumph of the season at home to Preston Lodge this weekend will keep Shaw’s troops on course for a respectable finish as they look to end a rollercoaster campaign in style.

W/D started the match in determined fashion and early pressure paid off as some great handling from the backs and forwards resulted in flanker Gordon Anderson touching down.

It was soon 14-0 with Caithness in danger of being blown away. The forwards rumbled towards the line with Phil MacKenzie receiving the ball and finding Davey Milne who dived under the posts.

Stand-off Liam Brins kicked the visitors’ first points of the day after W/D had given away a penalty and the deficit was reduced further in the 34th minute.

After winning a five-metre scrum, No 8 Andrew Shanks crashed over in the corner to make it 14-8. The conversion was subsequently missed.

But Caithness had the bit between their teeth and they stunned the home side by taking the lead on the stroke of half-time.

A run from deep inside their own half led to an offload that was collected by Ewan Sutherland who scored, and with Brins successfully kicking the extras, Caithness were 15-14 ahead.

Coach Shaw’s pep talk during the interval was sharp and to the point with a plea for the penalty count to be reduced.

With some strong words ringing in their ears, W/D set about the task with relish and immediately grabbed their third try of the afternoon.

Quick ball through the hands of the backs following a scrum allowed Brian MacMillan to touch down to make it 19-15.

W/D wobbled for a short period, and had Steven Conroy yellow-carded, but the visitors couldn’t capitalise on their numerical advantage.

Greig Walker just failed to reach the line after an impressive move was put together but W/D did extend their lead in the 70th minute.

Wave after wave of home pressure finally told when Shane Armitage burst over the line.

And a superb run from MacMillan was the catalyst for W/D’s fifth try which was grounded by Milne after more pacy play by the back division.

James Sinclair scampered home in the closing seconds while the W/D defence were fast asleep.

But Caithness had too much to do and nothing was to prevent the hosts claiming the points and climbing the table.