18's Boys - Ardossan

A strong Oban squad faced an equally strong Ardossan on Saturday.

The visitors took the lead on 15 minutes scoring a try following a couple of quick tap penalties 0-5.

With the teams equally matched in the scrums Oban were disrupting the opposition lineout with Kuba Kolodziejczyk proving to be a constant meance to the Ardrossan throw.

On 25 minutes the first of many big hits from Milo Llewelyn dislodged the ball from an Ardrossan attacker's grasp, the loose ball was quickly swooped up by full back Kai MacKechnie who then went through the gears to race away from 3 despairing defenders to score from half way, Arran Martin added the extras 7-5.

The tight tussle continued with Ardrossan's combative centres constantly asking questions of Oban's midfield defence which was eventually breached on 28 minutes when one of the centres crashed through to score, making the half time score 7-12.

Oban started the second half well with charging runs from Cody Mackay and Robbie Lockhart gaining good ground for Oban, unfortunately Ardrossan's defence held firm, stealing the ball omn a number of occasions.

After absorbing the Oban onslaught Ardrossan moved their way upfield to score a close range try 7 minutes into the second half 7-17.

Things were looking pretty tough for Oban at this point,  but this team is resilient and after 10 minutes of Oban pressure good work from Lockhart and  Kolodziejczyk saw Oban again stretching the Ardrossan defence only to see the visitors once again steal the ball, the attempted clearance kick was charged down by the hard working Kolodziejczyk which flanker Hamish Macintyre pounced on to score, Martin added the extras 14-17.

2 minute later a lapse in defence allowed Ardrossan's powerful centre to charge through to score 14-24.

With 15 minutes to go and the increasing heat impacting both sides Oban faced an up hill challenge.

Having a squad of players certainly helped as players could be replaced and take a breather giving the home team the energy to raise their game in the closing stages of the game.

With 7 minutes remaining good work from Lockhart, Kolodziejczyk,  Crowe and  Kupczak enabled centre Vinnie Buckley to sneak over to score 19-24.

With time running out Oban pushed to score but saw charges from Daniel Grant and Lockhart stopped and right at the end a penalty was awarded against Oban for holding onto the ball, the referee announced that the play after the penalty would be the last.

A poor clearance kick from Ardrossan gave Oban hope and Kolodziejczyk leapt high from the resultant lineout from which the forwards attacked infield and the from quick ruck ball scrum half Joe Corns passed back to the touchline to find JJ Blackley with three men to beat JJ stepped inside and spin out of a tackle to just about reach the try line to score, final score 24-24.

A great game between two good teams, a pleasing performance for the coaches who are now seeing the team bonding.

There were many standout performances including Milo Llewelyn and Cammy Crowe leading the defence, Cody Mackay and Robbie Lockhart making dents in the opposition defence but this week's award goes to the energetic Kuba Kolodziejczyk.

Next up is East Kilbride on 14/9 at Glencruitten.