Greenock Telegraph | Sport | Few positives in opening

Thursday, 20th November, 2008

Published: Monday, 3rd September, 2007 16:30

Few positives in opening

Preston Lodge 25, Wanderers 0

A LACK of experience was cruelly exposed as Wanderers opened their league campaign with a heavy defeat.

Pennypit Park hosted an error-strewn game with little in the way of quality rugby on show — Preston Lodge coming off best in what few chances were carved.

For Wanderers, injury doubt Brendan McGroarty failed to make the game and John Stewart was drafted in as replacement.

However, with several new faces on show it was hard work from the off as the newbies struggled to bed in. Wanderers’ fantastic new clubhouse development has taken all of the outfi’s financial resources and, as a consequence, there’ll be no overseas import to add experience to the ranks this term.

However, the game was not entirely without positives. The lineout went well, with Calum Robb in his element, and Jason Smith put in a decent shift, too.

The Mooney brothers worked hard prior to both being withdrawn with injury. Hopefully they will recover in time to be considered for next week’s fixture at East Kilbride

In five minutes, hooker Ross Anderson took advantage of slack defending by Wanderers and burst through the centre to touch down, his effort converted by stand-off Andy Clarke.

Clarke showed his consistency from the tee with three further penalties before half-time, which effectively secured the match for the East Lothian men.

Much of Wanderers’ work was done on the back foot and little impetus could be achieved. The Preston Lodge scrummage had a good afternoon and gave the Wanderers forwards a torrid time throughout the match, though the second half was riddled with errors from both sides, with little cohesive rugby played.

In 55 minutes, with Wanderers in the ascendancy and enjoying field position, PL scrum-half Chris McLean picked up a loose ball and sprinted fully 80 yards to the try line. Clarke converted and closed the scoring at 25-0.

For Wanderers it was a rude awakening and a lesson, as if one was required, that this season is going to be very challenging indeed.

Responding to comment from around the club, president Donnie Cunningham said: “Clearly I am disappointed with today’s showing, but it’s only the first game out of 22 matches.

“We have not brought in outside players this season because we are committed financially to the new clubhouse development project and also youth progression at the club.

“It’s vital that we establish the business model before we re-enter the foreign transfer market. After consultation with the coaches and vice -president Dougie Sloan, I have decided, at this stage, to press ahead with our plans focusing on home grown talent. We have an excellent youth set-up which has not let us down yet.”

Wanderers’ next outing is this Saturday, away at East Kilbride at Torrance House.

Wanderers: Watson; N Wright, Stewart, Clark, Smith; McTavish, McDougall; Craven, Lavelle, Coyle, Robb, J Moonie; Duncan, Abernethy, G Moonie.

l Wanderers are sponsored by National Semiconductor UK Ltd.

l All at Fort Matilda were saddened to hear of the death of fantastic supporter Jimmy Morgan, who passed away on Friday.

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