Langholm left licking their wounds at home
Last updated at 11:05, Thursday, 20 October 2011
Langholm 10 RHC Cougars 26 LANGHOLM not only suffered a disappointing defeat at Milntown last Saturday but were also left counting costly injuries to an already weakened side.
RHC always looked dangerous with ball in hand and it was no surprise that, when Langholm were disrupted with injuries, the visitors got on top.
RHC started in storming fashion and hit Langholm with powerful surges and secured an early penalty chance, but Euan Morrison was off target.
The visitors came powering back with strong runs and looked certain to score, but their player lost possession on the line.
Langholm could not get possession and eventually RHC were rewarded with a try from lock Drew Hicks, converted by Morrison and it was 0-5 after eight minutes.
At last, Langholm got into enemy territory and produced some good handling attacks with both backs and forwards combining.
RHC did well to hold out and also had their moments in attack and were extremely dangerous, but both defences were to the fore. Home flanker Lewis Miller continuously caught the eye with his surging runs.
One wonderful attack by Langholm saw most of the team involved in a handling spree and it took a determined visitors’ defence to hold out.
On the half hour Langholm lost fly half Keith Davidson with a leg injury and a number of positional changes had to be made, with Sean Potts coming in on the wing.
Niall Cubbon kicked a penalty for Langholm after 31 minutes from 30 metres out. The home forwards had to work hard against a powerful visitors’ eight and did well to keep them at bay and it was 3-5 at the break.
Home lock Alan Tyler was stretchered off with a shoulder injury after 47 minutes to add to Langholm’s injury worries and Ruari Taylor went on. Earlier Steve Jardine had replaced Cammy Little in the front row.
RHC started to cut loose, with centre Stuart Morrison running 40 metres to score and Euan Morrison converted. Flanker Warrander romped away for another visitors’ try which Euan Morrison converted and it was 3-19.
There were signs of RHC sweeping Langholm aside when replacement Hanman scored in the corner, and it was nearly all over with the score 3-26.
But credit must go to Langholm who battled back and gave the visitors plenty to think about in the last 10 minutes.
Skipper Cubbon burst through at the posts for a try and sent over a drop goal conversion from the other side, something not often seen but quickly awarded by referee Malcolm Changleng.
Langholm: C Jardine, A Cavers, D Irving, N Cubbon, L Miller (Hen), K Davidson, M Young, J Radcliffe, S Devlin, C Little, A Tyler, C Hislop, J Reid, L Miller (Bucc), S Graham. Replacements used: S Jardine, R Taylor, S Potts.
Langholm are away to Linlithgow this Saturday. They are below Langholm in the table in second-bottom spot.
The Colts go over the border to Tynedale. Their match against Jed Thistle at home was called off last Saturday because the pitch was not playable.
First published at 21:36, Wednesday, 19 October 2011
Published by http://www.eladvertiser.co.uk
