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Galloway News

Stewartry RFC thump Carrick 98-0 for one of the biggest wins in their history

Stewartry completed the league double over Carrick, avenging memories of the seven defeats in a row to the side from Maybole between 2012 and 2017.

And they did it in style, running in 16 tries in the rout that keeps the pressure on the top two in West Division one, Garnock and Allan Glens.

With Storm Malik blowing towards the clubhouse at Greenlaw, Stewartry decided to play into the strong wind giving Carrick the kick-off.

It was a good decision as they immediately gained possession and made progress into the Carrick half where their fired-up forwards took the first scrum against the head.

That allowed the half back pairing of Archie Nicholson and David Armstrong to break upfield with McCarney putting winger Scott Milligan in for the opening try out on the left.

The kick into the wind failed but it was a great start going 5-0 ahead in the same number of minutes.

(Jim McEwan)

Three minutes later, after making good progress up the left, the backs spread the ball across the field to right wing where Stevie Hogg ran clear for the second score.

Captain John Picken added the points, 12-0.

Stewartry kept up the pressure with the pack winning good ball for the free flowing backs and the third try came in 22 minutes when Hogg and Maxwell charged through the middle setting up Archie Nicholson for his first try, 17-0.

Second row forward Hugh Carson got the bonus point try after another scrum against the head, 22-0.

On the half hour Hogg picked up at a ruck and sent stand off Armstrong in for the fifth try, Picken adding the points, 29-0.

And just before half-time Picken’s 30 metre break saw Iain McMorran take advantage of work by McCarney and Milligan, driving into the Carrick 22 where he released David Maxwell who touched down, 34-0

The break gave the big crowd, including match sponsors Mathers and H Smith and Sons, time to anticipate what Stewartry might achieve in the second period and they were not disappointed.

With the wind advantage, the Blacks ran in another 10 tries, Nicholson getting the feast under way within two minutes courtesy of a breakaway. Picken, with the wind behind, added the extras.

(Jim McEwan)

TJ McCarney’s try was an individual break carbon copy, Picken converting.

Hogg added two more in quick succession, both converted by Picken, before replacement Ty Wilson, the Black’s leading try scorer, got in on the act with his ninth of season so far.

Hugh Carson powered over for the next from a pass by Scott Milligan who immediately broke clear for one of his own, Picken converting.

On 71 minutes, Hogg, 25 metres out, sold a massive dummy and strolled in for his fourth try and 10th of the season to the delight of the crowd, Picken converting.

An interchange between Milligan and Armstrong saw the latter score his second and in the final minute McCarney broke clear giving Nicholson his third, converted by Picken to make the final score 98-0.

It was a great result as the Stewartry chase down leaders Garnock and Allan Glen’s with both to play, Garnock home and away and Allan Glen’s away.

Stewartry squad (all used): J Picken(c), F Forsyth, R Austin, T J McCarney, S Milligan, D Armstrong, A Nicholson, M McCulloch, K McGuire, I McMorran, D Maxwell, H Carson, T McLean, C Root, S Hogg, C McGuire, A Linsay, A Picken, T Wilson.

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