Errors Again Prove Costly for West
Wednesday, 16 October 2024
Howe of Fife 39 - 29 West of Scotland
Not for the first time this season, West of Scotland contributed to their own downfall as they fell to defeat at the hands of Howe of Fife on Saturday. Duffus Park has not been a happy hunting ground for the Burnbrae men in recent seasons. Gifting tries to their opponents was never going to help buck that trend.
Head coach Trevor Carmichael was again forced into changes. Skipper Hamish Clark moved from tighthead prop to loosehead in the absence of Connor Moran-Smith, the latter likely to be out for some time. Ryan Hope started at tighthead. Donnie Morrison took over at no 8 in place of Pete Rhodes. In the back division, Rory Cuthbertson was at stand-off with Owen Hourston dropping to the bench, Nicky Sutcliffe returning to replace Cuthbertson at inside centre. Gareth Hopkins, making his first appearance of the season, partnered Sutcliffe. Callum McCormack was back in his more accustomed position on the right wing with Nicky O’Brien filling the no 15 shirt with Lewis Howick unavailable.
The Stygian gloom that filled Duffus Park as the players warmed up had dissipated by kick-off. The floodlights had been switched on but were now accompanied by sunshine. A short but heavy shower of rain ensured handling would be difficult. The powerful home pack dominated the opening exchanges but without threatening the West line. Indeed, it was the visitors who went ahead after fifteen minutes in their first real attack. The forwards went through the phases before Adam Dunford picked up to crash over. Hourston had an easy conversion.
The opening quarter had been scrappy. Both sides repeatedly infringed at the breakdown leading to stop start play. Not infrequent knocks on did not contribute to the entertainment, either. Howe drew level after no 8 Alasdair Mackie, who would be the games outstanding player, came round the front of a line-out to collect and score in the corner. Owen Anderson was accurate from the tee. Anderson’s try a few minutes before the interval gave Howe a lead they would not surrender. It was a poor score from West’s point of view. Running the ball in their own 22, a pass did not go to hand. Howe gathered and Anderson was sent in.
Howe deservedly lead by five points at the break. The home pack had had the upper hand with Mackie showing his Super Six pedigree.
Carmichael’s half-time instructions would have surely included, “cut out the errors.” That lasted the time it took for Howe’s restart kick to reach West hands. The ball was knocked on and from the resulting scrum, Mackie picked up and drove to the line before timing his pass perfectly to send in Finlay Foulkes, the wing getting his reward for quick support. Gus Cameron came close to narrowing the gap but the hooker was held up over the home line. At this point, the bespectacled arbiter called the two captains together for reasons not immediately apparent to those watching. There was some speculation he was asking if anyone had a lens cleaning cloth.
West skipper Hamish Clark was the first recipient of a yellow card, for pulling down at a ruck close to his line. Howe took immediate advantage, openside Kieran Todd forcing his way over from the tap penalty. The try bonus was secured. Anderson converted. The lead was extended to twenty-four points by Eden Cruickshank’s try and Anderson’s conversion after another misplaced West pass ended an attack on the home line. The home skipper picked up the loose ball and ran in from his own 22. As the try was being scored, some of the forwards had a minor discussion on halfway. When the dust settled, West’s Hope departed for ten minutes after making a comment to the referee.
Kain Duguid’s yellow card, the stand-off guilty of a no arms tackle, saw Howe reduced in numbers. Clark returned and within the space of five minutes, West were only two scores behind. Hourston’s long pass sent in McCormack to cross before the wing created for O’Brien the scoring opportunity which he took. Sutcliffe’s strong run saw Young support before finding replacement Callum Macgugan for the touch down. West were now within nine points and had secured a try bonus. Howe’s nerves were quickly settled by Duguid’s penalty goal. Anderson’s try after supporting Mackie’s break secured the home win but there was still time for Robert Sykes, tapping and crashing over, to narrow the final margin to ten points. Between these tries Howe’s Cammy Walker, for a high tackle, and Todd, for pulling down at a ruck, received yellow cards.
A frustrating loss for West, the second time in a fortnight errors have cost them dearly away from home. Next Saturday, the Burnbrae men face their toughest test of the season so far when division leaders Allan Glen’s visit. Kick-off is three o’clock.
