Storm Darragh Can't Halt Wigtownshire’s Triumph Over Waysiders

Arnold Clark West Regional League 2
Waysiders Drumpellier 6 – 24 Wigtownshire RFC

Coatbridge, Scotland – Despite the bitter cold and the lingering remnants of Storm Darragh, Wigtownshire RFC returned to action after a four-week hiatus with a dominant 24-6 victory over Waysiders Drumpellier. A strong team effort, highlighted by Andrew "Mick" McMillan’s hat trick, secured a crucial win as the visitors pushed for a top-table finish in the league.

Weathering the Storm

Wigtownshire traveled to Coatbridge under the cloud of high winds and heavy rain brought by Storm Darragh. However, by kickoff, the weather had cleared, leaving the team to contend only with the cold. Remarkably, the pitch – typically wet and muddy – was dry and well-maintained, a testament to the groundskeepers' efforts.

First Half: Grit and Patience

The opening exchanges were marked by strong tackling from both sides, with neither team willing to yield ground. Wigtownshire had the majority of possession but were plagued by individual errors. A moment of concern arose when Andrew McMillan suffered a heavy challenge, leaving him winded on the turf. Moments later, Blair Forsyth delivered a crunching tackle on the Waysiders' playmaker, forcing an injury substitution.

The breakthrough came in the 35th minute after a series of dominant phases from Wigtownshire's forwards. Scrum-half Ricky Hopcroft fed Blair Forsyth, whose clever offload to brother Scott Forsyth led to the first try beneath the posts. Blair added the conversion for a 7-0 lead. Waysiders responded just before halftime with a penalty, closing the gap to 7-3.

Second Half: Attacking Flair on Display

Wigtownshire returned after the break with renewed focus. In the 50th minute, Neil Forsyth’s excellent support play set up Andrew McMillan to finish in the corner, extending the lead to 12-3. Although a penalty awarded to Waysiders kept them within striking distance at 12-6, Wigtownshire’s backline continued to dominate.

In the 60th minute, Neil Forsyth again combined with McMillan, whose quick feet and sharp angles secured his second try. With the score at 17-6, Wigtownshire turned their attention to securing the bonus point.

The highlight of the match came in the dying moments when Blair Forsyth launched a well-weighted kick from his 22. Captain Jason McKie collected and offloaded to McMillan, who weaved through several defenders to complete his hat trick beneath the posts. Blair’s conversion sealed the 24-6 victory.

Player of the Match

While flanker Sam Mitchell was lauded for his relentless tackling, the Leswalt Village Store Man of the Match award went to Andrew McMillan for his stunning three-try performance.

Coach’s Comments

Head Coach John Dalrymple praised his team’s patience and attacking execution:
"It took us the best part of 35 minutes to break Waysiders down, but I was pleased with the patience and control the boys showed. Some of the attacking phases in the second half were the best we’ve seen this season, and we were rewarded with cracking tries."

Next Up

Wigtownshire now face a crucial clash against second-placed Carrick RFC in Maybole next week. With momentum on their side, the team will be looking to close the gap at the top of the table.

Team Lineup
N. Forsyth, A. McMillan, S. Forsyth, J. McKie (c), S. McCauley, B. Forsyth, R. Hopcroft, I. Allan, J. Patterson, M. Pirrie, B. Sharples, S. Mitchell, A. McClymont, J. McConnell, J. McGarvie.
Impact Players: F. Crean, B. Brown, C. Keith, A. Slavin.