BIRKMYRE picked up two bonus points in defeat away to local rivals Bishopton at the weekend.
The high scoring affair saw both sides run in seven tries, with Bishopton edging it 49:45 at fulltime.
Bishopton opened the scoring in the fifth minute. Having won a scrum from a knock-on at the opening kick-off, they camped in the Birkmyre half where pressure told in the end as they went over for their first converted try. Birkmyre replied quickly however when Liam Nicholas fought his way over from a couple of yards out after a positive phase of play for the visitors. David Cruickshank converted.
The home side scored again in the 24th minute but the lead was cancelled by Ross Moglia who picked up the ball 50 metres out, broke tackles and powered through for the score. Michael McGeoch then got the score in the 38th minute that should have taken Birkmyre in for the lead at half-time. He chipped the ball through inside the Bishopton 22, collecting the kick and held off defenders and forced his way over the line. However, with little time left in the half, Bishopton were able to get a score back which gave them a narrow lead of 21-19 at the whistle.
Bishopton got off to the better start in the second period, scoring in the 45th minute. Having won a line-out on the right, they went through a few phases before going across the pitch to score. On the 57th minute they extended their lead to 35:19. Again, this originated from a line-out, close to half-way this time, which Bishopton worked down the pitch through multiple phases, assisted by some poor defending at times.
Findlay Rayner scored for Birkmyre four minutes later. Moglia had carried the ball 20 metres, close to the touch line. In the tackle, he popped the ball to Rayner who was running in support. From 40 metres out, he jinked inside, avoiding tackles with his pace to touch down under the posts.
In the 69th minute, Bishopton thought they had put the game to bed when they touched down for their sixth converted try to take their lead up to 16 points courtesy of a charged down clearance kick. However, Birkmyre had not given up and in the 72nd minute substitute Struan McCamley held off defenders, after a phase of possession, to score near the corner flag.
Birkmyre conceded minutes later before McGeoch went over for his second score of the game, running in from 35 metres. Findlay Rayner reduced the deficit to four points, this time combining with Moglia again on the opposite wing.
Birkmyre were on the ascendancy in the final minutes. Having won a penalty, they kicked to the corner for the line-out as the clock went red. Unfortunately for the Kilmacolm side, they lost the contest and Bishopton kicked the ball dead to win the match.
There is now a two-week break for the international window with Birkmyre next taking on Lochaber on Saturday 15 November at Birkmyre Park.
Scorers:- Tries: M McGeoch (2), F Rayner (2), L Nicholas, R Moglia, S McCamley; Conversions: D Cruickshank (5)
