W/D kick-off campaign with Glasgow Accies defeat

Sep 7 2011 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge

Craig Collin

WAYSIDERS/DRUMPELLIER RFC opened the new season with a 22-11 loss at Glasgow Accies on Saturday.

The Langloan men crashed at New Anniesland as they kicked off their West Region League Division One campaign.

W/D were dealt a blow before the match even started when Phil MacKenzie suffered a hamstring injury during the warm-up. And after only five minutes, Neil Logue limped off with a knee injury, with broken finger victim Steven Wilson forced to play.

Accies went 7-0 up after Kenneth Beattie’s try was converted by Stephen O’Donnell who successfully kicked a penalty to extend his side’s lead.

W/D stand-off Tom McDougall reduced the deficit to four points after scoring two penalties.

But a touchdown from substitute winger Douglas Horne made it 15-6 in the 65th minute.

And the home side looked to have clinched the points when O’Donnell converted after Stu Smith crossed the line.

W/D’s hopes of rescuing a positive result were dashed when McDougall was red-carded towards the end.

But the Coatbridge men kept going and scored a consolation try through Eddie Briggs.

Coach Craig Collin told Advertiser Sport: “It was a tough match for us to start the season off with. We had a few problems with the team and it took us a while to hit our stride.

“But we had some good opportunities to score, particularly near the end, and that gives us confidence.”

W/D host Stewartry on Saturday and expect to include Kiwi second-rower Sam Mayes and an Australian scrum-half in their starting XV.