Langholm 15 Preston Lodge 38
RBS EAST LEAGUE ONE
THE last home match of the season for Langholm finished in defeat at the hands of a good looking Preston Lodge side, who have finished runners-up to Livingston in the East Division championship.
It has been the same old problems all season for Langholm, of working with a small pool of players and when injuries occur it gets serious.
Craig Hislop once again pulled his boots back on a couple of weeks ago and on Saturday went on as a sub.
Langholm struggled for possession and had to defend for long periods against a visitors side who ran everything on the dry pitch in perfect conditions.
The Milntown men could not be faulted for effort as they put in some tremendous defensive work and attacked on the counter.
Niall Cubbon put Langholm into the lead after 20 minutes with a penalty goal. With 27 minutes on the clock Preston Lodge winger Jordan Eales swept in at the corner for an unconverted try. A few minutes later he popped up on the other wing to score another, which Graham Patterson converted.
The visitors were getting well on top at this stage and prop Keith Duncan barged over for a try which Patterson converted. Then centre Paul Glynn scored to make it 3-24 at the interval, and he added another just after the re-start which Patterson converted.
Langholm battled back and the forwards were just held short of the line on a number of occasions. Eventual pressure brought rewards when scrumhalf Mark Young took a quick tap to go over and score.
Another home attack brought a try for flanker Scott Howatson near the posts which Cubbon converted to make it 15-31.
Visitors winger Pete Johnstone got a late try which Patterson converted.
Langholm: C Jardine, J. Pool, A. Cavers, N. Cully, C. Davidson, A. Cavers, M. Young, S. Devlin, S. Kitching, C. Little, A. Tyler, J. Ashton-Smith, D. Nordon, S. Howatson, S. Nicol. Subs used: J. Ratcliffe, R. Taylor, C. Hislop.