Broughton's pack had the power to defeat their National 2 opponents Linlithgow at Wardie on Saturday in the Round 3 clash of the Scottish Hydro Electric Cup.

The 24-13 final score sets up a Round 4 fixture against Premiership 1 relegation candidates Glasgow Hutchesons' Aloysians at Wardie next Saturday as the Road to Murrayfield continues!

The morning kick-off appeared to catch Broughton still asleep and when Linlithgow scored a 2nd minute penalty, the visitors looked as if they would use the Wardie slope to their advantage.

The home side didn't lie down however and a great run by McFarlane on 12 minutes took Broughton to the opponents 22 but Arrandale couldn't control the ball at the back of the maul.

Failure to convert chances haunted Broughton further as Linlithgow stretched their lead with a try in the corner.  A Broughton clearance was charged down and quick hands from the visitors saw their winger run in for a score.  00-08.

On the half-hour mark though, a lifeline for the Wardie men.  Pannell opened up the defence with a penetrating run and as he released Gladwin, the replacement winger was bundled into touch just short of the line.

Linlithgow found it hard to get out of their 22 and a Broughton driving maul forced them all the way to the try-line but the South African referee adjudged the ball to have been held up.  From the resultant scrum, a driving maul resulted in McFarlane popping up at the back to dive over for a score.  Walker converted the kick.  07-08

So, at half-time, the score was like the webmaster's ears - not a lot between them.

Borughton came out of the traps in the second half keen to build on their positive finish to the opening 40 minutes.

It didn't take long then before the home side took the lead for the first time.  Broughton were once again camped in the Linlithgow half and from a 'scrum 5' Arrandale pushed the ball back inside for McFarlane to dive over.  Walker converted from the tight angle.  14-08.

Broughton capitalised on a Linlithgow knock-on on the hour and the hungry forward pack mauled their opponents to the 5 metre line and Walker was on hand to score.  19-08.

The National 2 side, as one would expect, refused to lie down and came up the field to score a try of their own.  The back line strung a few neat passes together and the 13 cut back inside for a score.  19-13.

Broughton's final try came with 13 minutes to go.  Linlithgow didn't have any answers to the home maul and the pack drove over the line with McFarlane scoring.

So, a tremendous workmanlike performance that clearly shows that Broughton are more than capable of holding their own further up the leagues.  One day.....one day!

1       J WELLS
2       D PYPER
3       D NICOLSON     
4       S SMITH
5       P TYSON
6       A McFARLANE    
7       M SMITH
8       S URQUART      
9       D ARRANDALE    
10      S WALKER       
11      D LENIHAN      
12      N MATTHEWS     
13      N KEENAN       
14      J HARPER       
15      M PANNELL      
               
16      G WILSON       
17      D COX  
19      J GLADWIN      
20      J ATKIN