Lochaber U16's v Kilmarnock U16's

Lochaber U16s played Kilmarnock at Banavie, on Sunday 6th March in perfect weather conditions. This was their last game in the group stages of the West Region U16 Youth Cup.

Once again the Lochaber boys put in a brave performance against another strong team from a well-established club. Kilmarnock’s big forwards generally made life difficult for Lochaber, repeatedly making inroads down the middle of the park, and either scoring themselves or creating overlaps for their backs out wide.

While they scored 5 tries in the first half, they didn’t get it all their own way, as first Archie Gray on the wing and then Match Captain Ruaraidh Fothergill at centre scored long range tries – both fantastic solo efforts. At the start of the second half, it looked like Lochaber may reduce the deficit with some resolute defence and a good team try on the right, nicely finished off by Archie Campbell. However as the game wore on the home team tired visibly, their defensive pattern became somewhat ragged, and Kilmarnock were able to power their way over the line a few more times.

Apart from Lochaber’s tries, other positive aspects of this game were Aaron Fyfe’s brief spell on the pitch after a long absence through injury, Sascha Dobrokhodova’s willing effort in the front row, some big tackles from team newbie Alex Drysdale, and Archie Peill’s versatility. This game was another valuable step in the boys’ rugby experience, and so will stand them in good stead for the knockout phase of the Youth Cup,
in which teams will perhaps be a bit more evenly matched.