Garnock started their league campaign with a home fixture against Lasswade. The visitors will no doubt be one of the favourites for promotion having been unfortunate to be relegated from Nat 2 last season.
The game kicked off with Garnock playing down the slope and with the elements at their backs. The early exchanges indicated this was going to be a physical game with both packs trying to exert control. The opening score came after 10 minutes when the visitors were applying pressure in the Garnock 22. The home side held it for numerous phases however they eventually ran out of defenders allowing Lasswade to score. Conversion good 0-7
Although the falling rain was by then torrential the reverse did not dampen the enthusiasm of the home team. They resecured the restart and spent the next 10 minutes in the Lasswade half before the ball was eventually fed wide for Tony Woods to score in the corner. Conversion good 7-7
By this time both sides had settled into their patterns however the majority of play was in the Laswade half due to Garnock’s good use of the elements. Joe Chapman and Matt Shiells carried strongly in the forwards and centres Aaron Purewal and Sefo Turaga looked sharp and dangerous with ball in hand. Unfortunately despite a number of good opportunities Garnock were unable to add to their tally due to strong defence from Lasswade
With 5 minutes to go to half-time Garnock conceded a penalty in midfield allowing the visitors to kick for touch in the 22. Once again Lasswade showed they are a quality side and after a number of phases they scored wide out. Conversion successful 7-14
The weather conditions remained difficult however both sides, to their credit, were trying to play attractive rugby.
The second half saw Lasswade with the benefit of the elements however most of the play was between the 22s with neither side managing to create clear cut scoring opportunities.
From an unthreatening ruck 35 metres out a Lasswade back spotted a gap around the fringes and broke through the Garnock defence and rounded the fullback to score . Conv missed 7-19
Garnock continued to win their fair share of possession with both Kenny McDermott and Ewan Anderson to the fore in both attack and defence. With time running out Garncok enjoyed a spell of pressure in the visitors 22 and eventually a backline move put Aaron Purewal through to score. Conv good 14-19
The referee blew for full-time immediately following the conversion bringing a tough and entertaining contest to an end.
Next weekend Garnock make the short trip to face Hillhead Jordanhill
Garncok squad v Lasswade Shiells, Armstrong, Chapman, McDermott, Anderson, A Miller, Watson, Wilson, K Walker, R Walker, Wynn, Purewal, Turaga, Woods, Smith Reps- F Miller, O’Neill, Collins, Holmes
