ON a glorious afternoon at Fort Matilda in front of a decent crowd Wanderers started their National League Division 4 campaign against local rivals Whitecraigs.

In the final League match last year Wanderers managed a win against the visitors with the last kick of the match, however, on this occasion the home side got off to a slow start and were 5-0 down after five minutes.

The Whitecraigs try came from a poor clearance kick from inside the home 22 allowing them to pass the ball through the backs to score in the corner.

Wanderers worked their way into the visitors' half and after some slick passing in the backs Maturano scored to level the game.

Whitecraigs responded immediately from a penalty to the corner. Their lock ran in under the posts 12 - 5. A subsequent penalty to Wanderers converted by Frizzel reduced the visitors lead to 12 - 8.

Play moved from end to end for a period until an excellent break by  Wanderers' stand-off Harrison resulted in a score to put the home side ahead by a point, 13-12..

Shortly before half-time Wanderers brought play into the visitors 22 and from the scrum they pushed them over the line to increase their lead to 20-12.

Whitecraigs started the second half positively and were rewarded with a fairly soft try when their stand-off waltzed his way through the home defence to score under the posts, 20-19.

Shortly afterwards the visitors ripped through the home defence and their winger dropped the ball when he was about to score.

But not to be denied, a scrum in the home half allowed Whitecraigs to pass through the backs to score and take the lead, 20-26.

Shortly afterwards the referee yellow carded a Whitecraigs forward for a high tackle. Wanderers took advantage of this and they scored through Maturano to bring them to within a point of the visitors, 25-26.

At this stage of the match it was hard to forecast the winner, however, it was Whitecraigs who added to their final score with a try and a penalty to make the scorline 25-34.

In a final push Wanderers' Robb forced his way over for a try but it wasn't enough and the final score was 32-34.

On Sunday the Ladies 1st XV had a fine win at home over Wigtonshire.

The Ladies Blues and Reds played in a tournament at Marr and did very well to be placed third.

The U16s had an away win at Kilmarnock 68 - 55, with five tries for Wanderers' McFeate.

The U15s had a development match also at Kilmarnock in a great game it ended 54 - 54.

MMSEARCH Club sponsor
Ladies sponsor Straps of Gourock and Brow House Cosmetics.