AN understrength Birkmyre side put up a strong fight but ultimately fell to a 36-19 defeat away to a powerful Wigtownshire team in Stranraer.

Despite a competitive contest, the home side’s physicality proved too much in the end.

Birkmyre started the match in perfect fashion, with Wigtownshire pressing inside the visitors' 22, Ross McDonnell read the play brilliantly, intercepting a loose pass before racing 80 metres untouched to score the opening try.

(Image: Supplied) Birkmyre held their lead for 15 minutes before Wigtownshire responded.

A well-executed 5m lineout set the platform, and after several phases, they powered over the whitewash for a converted try to take the lead.

The hosts then capitalized on their physical advantage, adding two more scores in quick succession in the 23rd and 27th minutes, stretching the gap further.

Birkmyre managed to pull one back just before halftime.

(Image: Supplied) Sustained pressure inside the opposition's 22 eventually saw the ball worked through the backs, with Lewis Higgins popping a pass to full-back Paul Carruth.

Despite two tacklers closing in, Carruth showed great determination to wriggle free and crash over the line.

Higgins slotted the conversion, reducing the deficit to 19-12 at the break.

(Image: Supplied) With the match still within reach, Birkmyre were confident of turning things around.

However, Wigtownshire struck twice in the first 15 minutes of the second half, making the challenge an uphill battle at 31-12.

The visitors were given a glimmer of hope in the 62nd minute when Wigtownshire were reduced to 14 men following a yellow card.

Birkmyre gained momentum and were rewarded with just over five minutes left on the clock.

(Image: Supplied) As the home side prepared to clear from a scrum inside their own 22, quick-thinking scrum-half Tom McGeoch stole the ball and dived over in flamboyant fashion for a well-taken try.

Despite Birkmyre’s late push, Wigtownshire had the final say, scoring their sixth try in the dying minutes to seal a 36-19 victory.

Birkmyre now turn their attention to their next match, a home fixture against Lomond Helensburgh at Birkmyre Park this Saturday. Kick-off is at 2pm.