Alloa RFC 1st XV...15

Strathmore RFC 1st XV...3

AFTER two successive defeats in Fife earlier in the month, Alloa registered their first victory of 2017 courtesy of a hard fought win over Strathmore.

The constant drizzle and heavy underfoot conditions dictated that neither side would be able to put much width into their attacks and it transpired that Alloa's dominant line-out and scrum would give them enough possession and territory to give them the points.

Alloa welcomed back Skipper, Gary Taylor and Matt Pope to the side that lost so disappointingly last weekend at Glenrothes and a strong line break by Pope initiated the first Alloa try. The pack cleared out quick ruck ball allowing Martin McKenzie to kick in behind the Strathmore defence and youngster, Ross Brydie won the footrace for the loose ball sliding in at the corner. Lee Cairney failed to kick the tricky conversion.

The wet ball produced a number of fumbles and turnovers and during the remainder of the first quarter, Strathmore were just a bit sharper as Alloa struggled to break out of their own half. However, when they did get into the Strathie 22 they always looked likely to score. Ross Brydie was unlucky not to score a second try after being bundled out at the corner flag, but Alloa kept up the pressure and Dale Foster drove over from a well-rehearsed line out move for the second try. Strathmore quickly pulled back 3 points from a penalty, however Alloa should have scored a third try before the break when they shunted a Strathmore scrum back a full twenty metres before the visitors collapsed the set-piece just short of the try line. This effort would have gained a penalty try on other days however Strathmore rode their luck and held out to keep the score at 10-3 at the interval.

Again Strathmore had a good opening quarter and tested out the Alloa defence on several occasions, however the home side scrambled to good effect and Martin McKenzie produced a tremendous potentially try saving cover tackle.

As the half progressed Alloa secured increased possession and clever probing kicks by Colin Jess and Rab Truesdale kept the ball in the danger area. Truesdale again proved the main inspiration for Alloa as he ripped into the Strathie defence on numerous occasions and provided a great target for the home pack. It was fitting then that the big centre crashed over to seal the match in the last 10 minutes and was rightly awarded man of the match status.

This was a much improved performance from the home side who bounced back from last week’s defeat at Carleton Park and they deserve great credit for the commitment shown against a useful Forfar side.

Alloa now have a two-week break before making the trip to Thurso to take on Caithness.

Report by Jim Gove, pictures by Gordon Murray.