Our 2nd XV match was the only senior ‘Endrick game to survive the weather and a squad travelled to Jordanhill School for this league fixture. A big thanks to the large band of supporters who made the trip to watch.

The previous meeting between these sides at Fintry had been a fairly close affair with ‘Endrick winning by only 3 points (17-14), this was likely to be along similar lines.

This week the age range was 18 - Cam McCooey & Archie Symmonds to the front row Gregor Harvey, Chris (Tooney) Jewell and Donald Budge where, to avoid any individual embarrassment, the total age was 142 years.

Given the weather in the previous days, the pitch surface was in surprisingly good condition to allow for some running rugby. On the stroke of 2.00pm ‘Endrick kicked off and camped in the GU Hills half making a series of efforts to open the scoring. They were eventually thwarted, after a four minute spell, by the old problem of conceding a penalty which was kicked to touch. After that it was the turn of GU Hills to control possession, which was turned into 5 points after 11 minutes of play as consistent pressure yielded a penalty, and after a tap a drive towards the line.

Following the opening score, there was to be tries aplenty. Next across the line was GU Hills for a second unconverted try – 15 minutes played. Then from a line out following the restart Sandy Bruce was sharpest to finish off with the first ‘Endrick try which went unconverted.

‘Endrick then missed a kickable penalty and as the half hour approached GU Hills took advantage of some poor defending to score the first converted try of the day. With two minutes of the half remaining the referee deemed a last gasp tackle to be too high and awarded GU Hills a penalty try. The half ended with GU Hills breaking out from receiving the restart kick and advancing up the field at pace with good support for another converted try.

Half time score – GU Hills 31 - 5 Strathendrick

With a mountain to climb ‘Endrick set about the task and were successful when Murray Calderwood finished off a period of pressure for a try which again was unconverted. Three minutes later the gap was closed again as the referee awarded ‘Endrick a penalty try.

Any brief thoughts of staging a comeback were dashed on the 53 minute mark as from a quickly taken penalty GU Hills scored their 6th try of the match. Only two minutes later they were back on a breakout for another try this one converted. With confidence high GU Hills scored again on the hour mark and established a 33 point lead.

Credit to the ‘Endrick team who could now see no way of winning this game, they stuck to the task and were finally rewarded with two minutes of the game remaining with a bonus point try through centre Will Boyd. The conversion proved to be the last score of the game.

Final score GU Hills 50 - 24 Strathendrick

It was the pace and support play of the home side which won the day although, it has to be said, that the ‘Endrick team did not appear to be at their best. The Duff Christmas Tree Farm Strathendrick Man of the Match was awarded to Sandy Bruce for his try and endless tackling.