League leaders Stewartry returned to action with a narrow win at Lenzie.
The Blacks and their rivals hadn’t played for five weeks due to the weather but there was no sign of rustiness as the two teams played to their strengths to produce an enjoyable game.
Stewartry survived the first 10 minutes of the Lenzie onslaught and Doug Boyd led the way for the Blacks by picking up at a scrum, driving forward and winning a penalty on the 10 metre line.
Mosey’s kick took play into the Lenzie 22 and Mosey, Hogg and Forsyth made space for Austin to go close with the Blacks’ first scoring chance.
On 20 minutes, Lenzie cleared from a penalty award to the Blacks 22 where some good defensive play saw the Blacks reach half way.
A few minutes later, Lenzie again kicked too long, giving Lochy Spence the chance to break through and Scott Milligan scored the opening try in the corner. Craig Mosey added a very difficult conversion from the touchline.
Stewartry continued to push forward with T J pushed into touch. McCulloch stole the lineout and Hogg and Mosey drove forward, making 25 metres.
Austin and both Boyd boys took the play forward with Maxwell, Mick McCulloch and McMorran close to the try line but Lenzie cleared their lines.
There was a double blow for Stewartry right on half-time with both Doug and Danny Boyd injured in tackles, suffering an ankle and a head injury respectively.
Lenzie had to wait for a penalty kick at the posts, which was missed, to give Stewartry a 7-0 half-time lead.
The replacements for the Boyd boys were Ben Spence and Rory Porteous and Stewartry now had the wind, although it was not much of an advantage.
The home team upped their game in the forwards and a sustained attack amounting to 10 phases saw Lenzie scramble over for a try out on the left.
The conversion was missed but it was game on with 20 minutes left.
Mosey’s skill with the wee chip ahead in the conditions gave Stewartry some good attacking positions and from a ruck in the Lenzie 22 captain Picken fed the line Stevie McCulloch to Ian McMorran whose quick hands to Scott Milligan put the winger in for his second try.
The conversion into the wind missed, taking the score to 5-12 ahead of the final 15 minutes.
Conor McGuire came on in the front row with 10 minutes left as Lenzie tried hard to win the game.
Stewartry were left to defend their line for the rest of the game before Lenzie drove over for a second try out on the left in the last minute.
The conversion was missed 10-12.
Stewartry’s man of the match: Steven Hogg.
Stewartry : L Spence, S Milligan, TJ McCarney, R Austin, F Forsyth, C Mosey J Picken (c), I McMorran, Danny Boyd, M McCulloch, D Maxwell, J Forsyth, S Hogg, S McCulloch, Doug Boyd, B Spence, R Porteous, C McGuire, A Picken.
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