Langholm 6
North Berwick 3
RBS EAST DIVISION ONE
JOHN SMITH reports from Milntown
DESPITE the sunshine, there was not much sparkle and it was a dour battle with low entertainment value.
Langholm spent much of the first 15 minutes in the North Berwick half, but rarely threatened the line.
Indeed, neither side really looked like scoring, until Niall Cubbon stroked over a 40m penalty after 22 minutes.
North Berwick were shunting the home scrum and also causing problems in the line-out which rather restricted possession for Langholm. Cubbon, and full back Colin Jardine were to the fore with fine clearance kicks.
The visitors were awarded a penalty when fly half Liam West was obstructed after a chip through, and he slotted the easy kick to bring the scores level after 35 minutes.
From the restart, the Milntown men set up an attack and secured a penalty chance 20m out, which Cubbon kicked with ease and the interval arrived with the score at 6-3.
Langholm were putting themselves under unnecessary pressure at times, with the forwards endeavouring to take play from their own 22, when a long kick downfield would have been the better option.
North Berwick held the territorial advantage in the second period, but Langholm defended stoutly and also had their moments in attack.
Home flanker Scott Howatson certainly saved his team on a couple of occasions – firstly when getting back to retrieve a kick through, and the other when racing across to tackle the visiting winger who appeared to be heading for a certain try.
The visitors applied tremendous pressure in the closing minutes, but Langholm eventually won possession to clear, and the final whistle sounded.
Langholm: C. Jardine; T. Pringle, M. Rose, A. Cavers, G. Campbell; N. Cubbon, L. Durnford, M. Salaman, S. Jardine, C. Little, R. Taylor, D. Nordon, J. Reid, S. Howatson, S. Graham. Subs: D. Divers, J. Ashton-Smith, L. Miller, S. Kitching.