Strathaven have first promotion in 10 years in the bag

Apr 1 2010 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

McLaren 10, Strathaven 56

STRATHAVEN clinched promotion to the Scottish Hydro West League Division One on Saturday with a brilliant away win at McLaren FP.

The result puts the Whiteshawgate side top of West League Division Two, but local rivals Uddingston sit just a point behind with two left to play, so Strathaven face an anxious wait to see if they go up as champions or runners-up.

However, Strathaven’s first promotion in 10 years comes fittingly in their 25th anniversary year.

Strathaven made a nervous start to the game and McLaren took the lead with an easy penalty in front of the posts.

The visitors struck back and a good move was ended by Joe McCallum. Lewis Ferguson missed a difficult conversion but Strathaven led 5-3.

The second try wasn’t long in coming as captain Willie Steele went on a run, drawing in a few tacklers before feeding in Stuart Alder, who sprinted down the line before going over in the corner for the first of his four tries.

Strathaven were playing with confidence and took full advantage, scoring three more tries through Alder, Colin Macrobert and James Howatson for a 25-3 half-time score.

The second half followed much the same pattern, with Alder adding another two tries before Howatson finished off a brilliant team try.

A tap penalty was spun wide for Gavin Donald to jink over and Ferguson added his third conversion of the half for 51-3.

With the points well and truly secure the game broke down at this point with young Douglas Jamieson harshly sin-binned following an altercation.

McLaren took advantage to cross the whitewash with a converted try, reducing the deficit to 51-10.

But James Coe responded after good work up the middle to score the last try of the game as the 14 Strathaven players held on for the 56-10 result.