Uddingston Rugby Club’s 1st XV got their competitive season underway on Saturday when they travelled to Kilmacolm to face Birkmyre in their Regional Bowl Preliminary Round tie. With both sides having been promoted from their respective league last season the Villagers knew that this would be a test of their pre-season preparation and, despite a slow start, it was the Villagers who showed why they are a division above their hosts with a comprehensive second half display to run out 66-10 victors.

With playing conditions as good as we will see all season both sides started the match looking to run the ball and play open attacking rugby. With the game 7 minutes old the Villagers took the opportunity to open their account when the home side were penalised in front of their posts, 25 metres out. Gordon Burns calmly slotted home the kick to give Uddingston a 3-0 advantage. With the Villagers looking to build on this opening they were caught out by a strong attacking move by Birkmyre. Having driven into the Villager’s half the ball was moved wide and, as the defence closed in, a delicate grubber kick pushed the ball into the corner. With Uddingston’s defence struggling to get back it was Birkmyre who reacted first diving on the loose ball for the try. The conversion attempt from out wide fell short but the hosts were ahead 5-3.

It only took Uddingston 5 minutes to hit back and regain the lead. Good pressure had taken the visiting pack deep into the home 22. When Birkmyre were penalised Donald Haldane quickly took the penalty, driving to the line. As he was tackled the ball was presented back for scrum half Andy Low to pick and dive over the line for his try. Burns secured the conversion to put the Villagers back in front 10-5.

From the restart the Villagers went on the attack and looked to have the home side pinned back until a well telegraphed pass was intercepted by Birkmyre’s Cliff Law who had the pace and power to sprint home from half way bringing the home side back into the match. The conversion again fell short, but with 20 minutes played the scores were tied 10-10.

The Villagers knew they were in a game and started to increase the intensity of their play, punching holes in the home defence for the backs to exploit. With less than half an hour played the visitors got their noses back in front. Having powered their way towards the home try line Uddingston were awarded a 5 metre scrum. As the front 5 got the drive moving Stuart Beresford picked up at number 8 and a delightful switch move with Low saw Beresford dive over for the try. Burns pushed the conversion kick wide taking the score to 15-10.

Five minutes later the same 2 players combined to create Uddingston’s 3rd try of the afternoon with Low claiming his second of the match. Burns was back on target for the extra points and the Villagers went into the break with a 22-10 advantage.

Unfortunately for the hosts, the hard work that they had put in to keep the first half competitive counted for nothing in the second half as the Villagers turned up the pace and pressure scoring 44 unanswered points in a 40 minute display of attacking rugby. The Villagers added 7 tries from Chris Latta, Stuart Chalmers, Donald Haldane and Bruce McKirdy while Beresford added a 2nd half hat trick to his 1st half effort taking his tally on the day to 4 tries. Burns topped up the scoreboard with 3 conversions and a penalty to round off a successful afternoon for the Villagers.

The victory sees Uddingston progress to the 1st round proper where they will face Millbrae at Bothwell Castle Policies on Saturday 2nd October.

This coming Saturday, 11/09, the Villagers start their West Division One league campaign with a trip to Ayrshire to face Cumnock while the 2nd XV entertain Kilmarnock 3rd XV in their Reserve League fixture. Both matches kick off at 3pm