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Published 1 Feb 2010 14:00
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Greenock Wanderers got back into the groove on Saturday with a fine victory and first-class overall display as they secured the bonus-point win at Fort Matilda against Newton Stewart.
On a day that was perfect for rugby, Wanderers stepped up to the mark and, ably led by try-scoring captain David Watson, reasserted their position as Champions-elect of the Second Division and put out the message that their dip in form was over.
Wanderers set out their stall straight from kick-off and after securing possession they posted notice of their intention to play an open, fast, attacking game.
Quickly recycled ball was won and stand-off Ant Devlin threw a long miss pass to skipper Watson, who raced past the outside centre before stepping inside defending full-back Jamie Murray to open the scoring in the first minute. Devlin just missed the conversion but Wanderers clearly had their tails up after a dream start.
The pack with Callum Robb, Matt Duncan and Ali Abernethy prominent, dominated proceedings and Matt Gray was back to his imperious best in the lineout.
With the locals very much on top it was no surprise when further points were added.
On 15 minutes turnover ball was won and quickly moved wide.
Skipper Watson kicked ahead and Devlin won the race for possession and despite being tackled high he popped a beautiful pass to support runner Kieren Smith to cross the white wash.
The conversion was missed but at 10-0 Wanderers looked to have the game won in the first quarter.
Newton Stewart had other ideas though and a fine drive down the blindside after securing quality scrum ball led to back-row Graham Armstrong crossing in the corner to reduce the deficit to 10-5.
The visitors' riposte was short lived as Wanderers stepped up a gear and took control of proceedings once more.
On 35 minutes scrum-half Andy McDougall scored a fine solo try, sniping through the gap at the contact zone and out sprinting the visitors defence to the line.
Devlin on this occasion added the conversion points stretching the lead to 17-5.
The Fort Matilda faithful were well satisfied with the performance but as the second half got under way they urged their side on to get the fourth try and secure the all-important bonus point.
It wasn't long in coming, and on 50 minutes solid scrum ball was won and crisp handling in the backs led to the overlap and Sean Connolly breezing over the line.
Devlin again chipped over from the tee to extend the lead further to 24-5.
On the hour mark Callum Robb was unlucky to have a try chalked off for failing to ground the ball when pictures of the incident viewed later clearly showed that he had indeed touched down.
This merely delayed the inevitable as Wanderers sought to press home their advantage and superiority.
On 65 minutes youngster Gregor Fletcher maturely finished off another flowing Wanderers backs move by intelligently stepping inside a three-man cover defence to touch down.
Best was saved to last though and with 10 minutes remaining skipper Watson brought the house down by collecting a high ball, sidestepping two Newton Stewart tacklers before chipping over the heads of the advancing defensive line and collecting the ball to touch down.
Devlin obliged again from the tee to complete the scoring 36-5.
This was a fine performance from Wanderers and has steadied the ship after two lacklustre performances.
President Dougie Sloan said: "We needed a good win today and I felt we did well for major segments of the match.
"The players have taken some criticism recently and they responded with some good passages of play which will have pleased the coaches.
"The set pieces went well and that was a significant factor in the overall performance"
Wanderers take a break from league rugby next weekend when they travel to Viewfield to play Lenzie in the first round of the Scottish Hydro-Electric Shield Competition.
A full preview of the tie will appear in the Telegraph next Friday.
Wanderers; S Connolly, D Watson [C], K Smith, D Murray, L Tyley, A Devlin, A McDougall, D Smith, R Lavelle, J MacArthur, M Gray, M Duncan, A Abernethy, C Rob, C Clark, Replacements; A McMichael, G Fletcher, J Stewart.
Wanderers are sponsored by National Semiconductor [UK] Ltd.
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