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League leaders Cowal were the visitors to Ormidale Park on Saturday and this well drilled team took away all three points as Arran failed to register a single score.
A disastrous first 18 minutes was the cause of Arran’s downfall; Cowal ran in three tries in that time and with Cowal boasting the most organised defence in the league, it was always going to be a challenge for Arran to come back into the game.
Credit to the island men they didn’t let the heads go down and battled to limit their opponents’ attacks.
Arran RFC coach Bert Ramage said after the game: ‘We had to reshuffle the team last weekend and, as a result there were a few guys out of their usual positions.
‘A couple of the guys got caught flat-footed in that first 18 minutes.
‘But after that it was an even game and we were unlucky not to score, falling just short of the line a couple of times.’
Arran’s hard-working forward line was dealt a double blow with prop Ross Lunn going off injured in the first half. The team then lost a second prop to injury, Glen Stewart, in the second half.
Mr Ramage added: ‘Cowal deserve to be top of the league because they are the best side I have seen this season.
‘We have no complaints about losing to them and we’re certainly not disheartened.
‘We lost to a well organised team that we just couldn’t break down.’
Arran again play at home this weekend, hosting Kilmarnock 3rds in a match sponsored by John Robertson.
The following Saturday the team travel to play Jordanhill Phoenix in a match sponsored by Arran Dairies.
