Through the Myre

Bears battle back from 12-0 down to edge thriller with Irvine

- Stuart Cruickshank

Birkmyre picked up a valuable victory at home to Irvine in a Birkmyre Park thriller on Saturday.

The Bears were 12-0 down - and also playing with 13 players at one point - but came back to win by three points.

Irvine struck in the second minute of the match. Birkmyre won a scrum defending their own five-metre line.

However, the ball was fumbled as the scrum was pushed back and the Irvine No 9 pounced for the try that was unconverted.

In the 10th minute, Owen Nicholas saw a very harsh yellow for obstructing an opponent when it appeared the Irvine player ran into him.

Two minutes later, Birkmyre standoff David Cruickshank was sent to the stands for 10 minutes for a deliberate knock-on.

The visitors capitalised on the extra player advantage to score their second try from close range.