GREENOCK Wanderers Reserves brought some much-needed comfort to a long suffering Fort Matilda support on Saturday when they recorded a fine try-scoring bonus point victory against GHA in the BT Reserve League West First Division.

It was an entertaining 80 minutes and the victory owed much to Wanderers stars of the past like Donald Stone, Callum Robb and Kevin Murray who all made themselves available and reminded the Greenock crowd just how good they were when they wore the black, gold and red colours.

Current top team player Leigh Tyley also played and posted another typically skilled performance and secured the victory with a late try.

It was Wanderers who opened the scoring in the four minute when Ross McCarron made a break deep inside the visitors’ half and he created the space for Steven Crossan to score in the corner.

Goal-kicker Murray slotted the conversion from a wide angle to give the locals an early 7-0 lead.

The advantage was short-lived though as the Clarkston based outfit rallied and reduced the deficit with an unconverted try of their own a few minutes later.

Wanderers reasserted themselves and two tries in quick succession set the platform for victory.

On 18 minutes concerted pressure on the GHA line led to a penalty being awarded and Wanderers opted for the scrum.

Another shunt was repelled but number eight Robb broke away and dotted down close to the posts.

Murray converted to stretch the lead to 15-5.

Four minutes later and another penalty award went Greenock’s way and Murray kicked for position down the touchline. The lineout was secured and Robb made another break towards the visitors’ line.

He was tap-tackled just short but Stone was on hand to take the pass and cross the line.

Murray’s conversion was just wide but Wanderers were good value for their 19-5 lead at the interval.

The second period started poorly for Wanderers as Stone was sin-binned for a high tackle and GHA took advantage by seizing the initiative On 53 minutes a deserved converted try narrowed the margin to 19-12 but try as they did the visitors could not score again.

Wanderers showed little in attack during the second half, but with Stone restored after his 10-minute hiatus, the Greenock defence looked solid and coped comfortably with anything GHA had to offer.

Indeed it was Wanderers who had the last word and a rare sortie into the GHA half near the end of the match resulted in Tyley securing victory and completing the scoring by squeezing in at the corner.

The reserves are at home again next week when they play Dalziel in another league match kicking off at 2pm.

Wanderers are sponsored by Texas Instruments.