A cold, sharp wind swept across London Road as Wigtownshire welcomed Bishopton for the first meeting in three years. Shire entered the match top of the league, Bishopton firmly mid-table, and both sides keen to make a statement.

But Shire’s team sheet was looking thinner than usual. Injuries ruled out Andrew McMillan and all three props—Mark Pirrie, Jake Rennie and Andrew McAuley. And then came the trio whose absences were not injury related: James McGarvie, Jack McConnell and James Rankin, each choosing a cosy weekend away over standing shoulder-to-shoulder with their teammates in the cold.

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First Half – Holding On Into the Wind

Before supporters had even found a spot along the rail, captain Scott Forsyth sliced through for an early converted try. The perfect opening.

Unfortunately, Bishopton hit straight back and used the wind at their backs to pin Shire inside their own half. Sustained pressure eventually told as Bishopton crossed again on the 20-minute mark to take the lead.

Shire had chances of their own but left points out on the park—overlaps missed, wrong options taken, the sort of moments that leave coaches muttering into their jackets.

Scrum time proved a challenge with the reshuffled front row. Coach Jason McKie stepped in to steady things as best he could, adding “temporary prop” to his rugby CV. It wasn’t glamorous, but it kept the show on the road long enough to reach halftime at 7–12.

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Second Half – The Switch Flips

Whatever was said at halftime—or maybe just enjoying the wind advantage—Shire came back out like a team transformed.

Changes in the pack helped shore up the set piece, while the lineout connection between Ian Allan and Angus McClymont was flawless all afternoon.

With front-foot ball at last, the backs came alive. Neil Forsyth pulled the strings beautifully, releasing centre pairing Scott and Blair Forsyth, who tormented the Bishopton defence with sharp running and intelligent play.

The tries flowed:

Scott Forsyth added another

Angus McClymont powered over

Jason McKie claimed a well-earned score

Neil Forsyth darted in for one of his own

And the moment of the match: Bruce Burnett’s first-ever try, celebrated in traditional Shire style—by downing a pint in the clubhouse through Dozer’s sock. A memory… and possibly a taste… that will linger.

Just when the game seemed wrapped up, the final ten minutes added some chaos.
First, Ross Drysdale saw yellow for a heavy clearance on the scrum-half. His replacement Fraser Cameron took the field… then took the same punishment two minutes later for an identical offence.

Shire finished with 13 men, giving Bishopton renewed hope, but the defensive effort was outstanding as the home side held firm to close out a convincing 43–12 win.

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Summary

A match of two halves: a gritty, wind-beaten slog followed by a second-half display of power, control and polished rugby.

Leswalt Village Store Man of the Match:
Scott “Scotty” Forsyth – from the opening try to the last whistle, he was a constant menace to the Bishopton back line. His growing partnership with Neil Forsyth continues to unlock defences.

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Next Up

With every team now played once—and Shire still sitting proudly at the top of the table—the squad prepares for the return fixtures. First up: Lochaber, making the long journey down from Fort William next week.

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Team Line-Up

Starting XV:
B Burnett, T King, B Forsyth, S Forsyth (c), R McAuley, N Forsyth, A Ingram, A Dunbar, I Allan, J McKie, B Sharples, G Dunlop, O Kelly, S McAuley, A McClymont

Replacements:
R Drysdale, F Cameron, A Slavin, N Loughrey, M McKeown