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MID ARGYLL welcomed league new boys Arran RFC to the Mushroom Field and in spite of a sprited comeback in the last quarter ended up on the wrong side of a 5 to 2 try count.
The game was fairly even for the first 20 minutes although with the visitors having the better scoring opportunities. Arran should have gone ahead after a two man overlap was wasted when the winger dropped the ball with the line gaping.
Mid Argyll’s chances weren’t helped when their stand off caught his studs in the turf and had to retire injured and his absence reduced tactical kicking options considerably as a result.
Arran weren’t to be denied for long though and a series of weak tackles allowed three quick scores on the trot from their pacy backs.
The second half was pretty much a repeat of the first as Arran raced into a thirty three point lead. Captain Kelly made several tactical substitutions bringing on Semple who made an immediate impact and a controlled drive by the home pack near the Arran line resulted in second row Hill being driven over for the home side’s opener.
Re-invigorated, Mid Argyll tightened up their defence and with Arran repeatedly infringing , a penalty kick to touch and resultant line out ended with a repeat of the first try as flanker Reid crashed over. Aitken’s conversion attempt slid wide as the referee blew for full time.
Although losing the game, it was a much more youthful Mid Argyll team that took to the pitch than of late and the youngsters acquitted themselves well in difficult circumstances as they tried to adjust to the sometimes harsh realities of league rugby.
A bit more time on the practice pitch with Captain Kelly and nurturing by the experienced players around them will pay rewards for the youngsters in what is very much a transitional season.
In the second league game of the season, a disappointing performance saw Mid Argyll slump to a 55-5 defeat away to Cowal RFC leaving much work to be done to turn the season round after two heavy defeats.
