Derby disaster for Marress Men

Oct 23 2009 by John Woods, Irvine Herald

MARRESS was the place to be on Saturday as a beautiful calm sunny autumn day and a full range of sports including rugby, football and hockey ensured a full house.

Three rugby teams were on show with Irvine Firsts welcoming local rivals Ardrossan Accies for a crucial Premier 3 match, the Seconds facing Greenock and the U15s entertaining Irish touring side St Albee’s on their first visit to Ayrshire.

The biggest crowd of the season saw Irvine and Ardrossan take the field for a typically gritty North Ayrshire derby but incredibly The Maroons handed their opponents the lead after just two minutes when Kenny Diffenthal kicked straight into the hands of fast winger Hunter who shot off down the field and passed inside to give Wilson an easy score which he converted himself.

Wilson should have extended the lead but missed two fairly easy attempts at goal before Diffenthal cut the deficit with a penalty in the 27th minute and the game then settled down to a midfield battle, with neither side looking likely to score until Ruchin Filander took a high ball deep in his own 22 and charged upfield, twice collecting his own chip ahead until the Ardrossan full-back just beat him to the touchdown, kicking the ball dead in goal to keep the visitors 7-3 ahead at the break.

Irvine, with the lineout working well, dominated much of the second half, but the old failing of being unable to turn pressure into tries once again proved their undoing.

The Marress Men – who have the lowest points for total in the division – have only scored one try since the defeat at Hamilton in early September and a way to put points on the board must be found urgently by the coaching team.

Despite all Irvine’s possession and pressure it was Ardrossan who struck again, with Wilson extending the Accies lead with a penalty for not rolling away in a tackle.

Diffenthal brought the gap back to four points with another successful penalty when Accies were caught offside on the hour mark but, almost inevitably, Ardrossan administered the killer blow six minutes later when a lightning breakout saw their support players arriving before the toiling home defence, allowing back-row Anderson to dive over for the clinching try, again converted by Wilson.

The remainder of the match saw Irvine huffing and puffing in a vain attempt to breach the Ardrossan defensive line and it was the visitors who took the derby spoils with a 17-6 victory which consolidates their recent revival.

Irvine visit a similarly stuttering Cartha next week and really have to start turning round their season if they do not want to find themselves cast adrift in the relegation zone.

In contrast the Seconds are scoring tries in abundance, with five tries from five different players contributing to the 29-20 win over Greenock Wanderers.

Nathan Murray, Louis McKee, prop Euan Callaghan – having his best season in an Irvine jersey – Jamie Doolan and veteran Chris Saunderson were the men who crossed the line with Saunderson adding the extras from his boot.

The Seconds visit Helensburgh on Saturday.

Irvine U15s continued their fine season by earning a creditable 15-15 draw with their Irish visitors. It is hoped that they will be able to return the fixture either later this year or early next season.

Other Premier 3 results. Morgan 3, Dumfries 24; Musselburgh 17, Hillhead/Jordanhill 35; Pertshire 37, Garnock 24; Hamilton 21, Falkirk 15; Cartha QP 18, Howe of Fife 23.