Greenock Telegraph | Sport | Rare home tie gives Wanderers a chance

Friday, 9th January, 2009

Published: Friday, 12th October, 2007 12:30

Rare home tie gives Wanderers a chance

Greenock Wanderers must start their revival soon if they are to avoid the drop at the end of the season and tomorrow’s home match against Langholm gives them the perfect opportunity to start the recovery process.

Langholm are the oldest Border rugby club in existence and have had a reasonable start to the campaign. They have secured two wins against Edinburgh University and Annan, but suffered a heavy defeat last Saturday at Garnock where they were trounced 76-5.

Sitting eighth in the table, the visitors will be aware away wins against the bottom clubs are vital to secure their own survival and First Division status.

For Wanderers, the played six lost six statistic, which sees them rock bottom of National One, is extremely concerning, but a victory tomorrow would be a great fillip for the club.

Club president Donnie Cunningham said: “We’ve had it tough the last few weeks, but a home match against Langholm gives us the chance to get that first win of the season. The home support tomorrow will be vital and I’d like as many Wanderers supporters as possible to get along to the match and encourage the boys. We are more than capable of beating Langholm and the vocal support will help to give us that extra edge.”

For the comeback to begin, Wanderers themselves will have to be at their best. The last two defeats — against joint leaders Garnock and Falkirk — exposed a weakness in defence which, at times, was quite alarming. The midfield channels must be secured by quality first up tackling and the back row must be on hand to slow up second and third phase possession, which takes the pace and sting out of opposition attacks.

Up front skipper Dave Craven and his pack have toiled manfully throughout the campaign. Generally, against bigger, stronger and more experienced players, they have held their own in the scrum and taken more than their fair share of ball in the lineout.

Tomorrow’s tie gives them the chance to take the game to Langholm and ask questions of the visitors’ defence. Craven will, as always, lead by example and big games are required of the in-form Mooney brothers and Calum Robb to get the hosts on the front foot. Youngster Mark Rodger has also settled in well at prop and shown he is more than capable of holding his own in the dark and sinister world of the front row cauldron.

If Wanderers’ pack can overcome the Langholm eight, then half backs Andy McDougall and Ant Devlin will have time to orchestrate the moves and get Smith brothers Jason and Kieran into play as often as possible. With Brendan McGroarty injured, the Smith boys are the main strike runners and they certainly have the pace and power to threaten any defence in the league.

From the locals’ perspective, it seems a bit early to be talking about must win games, but there is little doubt Wanderers need to get victories on the board sooner rather than later.

Greenock Wanderers v Langholm at Fort Matilda, kick-off 3pm: K Murray, K Smith, C Clark, D Murray, J Stewart, J Smith, A Devlin, A McDougall, D Craven (C), R Lavelle, M Younger, M Rodger, S Bleasdale, J Mooney, G Mooney, C Robb, G Finnie, D Clayton, A Abernethy, L Scully.

l Wanderers are sponsored by National Semiconductor (UK) Ltd. Match sponsor — Reid Mackellar.

l Wanderers’ U-18s host Dunfermline at Battery Park tomorrow with a 2pm kick-off and all spectators are encouraged along to support the youngsters. Despite there being no clubhouse, Wanderers’ ladies are arranging a tuck shop to cater for Saturday’s spectators with soup, Bovril and snacks all on sale at the ground during the match. All at Wanderers thank Liz Robb and her team for the hard work and commitment to the clubhouse fundraising initiative.

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