GREENOCK Wanderers were unable to make any impression on table-topping visitors Strathmore despite a spirited performance at Fort Matilda on Saturday, writes John Dyer.

The visitors started at a brisk pace, shoving the home side off the ball at the first scrum, and Wanderers continued their bad habit of giving away penalties in the early stages - though fortunately for them, the visitors could not capitalize.

A barging run by home prop Graham took play into the opposition 22, but the ball was lost and what would prove to be one of very few first-half opportunities for the hosts was lost.

Winger Ryan Graham drew first blood for the visitors when he ran in at the corner for an unconverted try after 17 minutes.

Neither team’s backs were able to break the shackles imposed on them by their stout defences in the first half, but the visitors had the cutting edge that their hosts lacked in the opening 40 minutes and scrum-half Nic Harris added a second try in the corner, this one converted by full-back Fraser McKay, to open up a 12-0 lead.

Greenock Wanderers finally got 2025 under way on Saturday after the postponement of their game against Ardrossan Accies the previous week - but there were to be no rewards for the Fort Matilda men after a 41-12 loss to leaders Strathmore. (Image: alex craig) Wanderers were unable to make any inroads into the visitors’ advantage, and though they were defending well, Strathmore turned up the heat as the interval approached and added further tries through Jay Docherty and Jonny Armitt, McKay converting the latter to put the visitors 24-0 up at the break and with the try bonus point in the bag.

Wanderers made a couple of changes in the pack at the interval, and showed a much sharper cutting edge in the second half, with winger Roy Jackson breaking through Strathmore’s defence on 54 minutes after a mazy run down the wing.

Had it not been for a series of knock-ons and dropped passes, Greenock might have made further inroads into the visitors’ advantage, and Strathmore took full advantage, with a zippy missed pass sending their prop over the line for a 31-5 lead.

Further errors by the home side in promising positions added to the disappointment in the Wanderers camp at knowing the chances were there to get some points for their efforts.

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And though the hosts did eventually manage a second try under the posts, with Callum Harrison touching down after some good work from the backs, Strathmore were in no mood to let the home team get any closer, and two more tries in the final took the visitors' final winning margin to 41-12.

The home side can take much from this performance, but injuries will not help their chances this Saturday when they set off on their longest away trip of the season, heading north to Elgin to take on a Moray side who won 31-0 at Fort Matilda back in October.

* Greenock Wanderers’ club sponsors are MMSEARCH; the ladies’ teams are sponsored by Straps of Gourock and Brow House Cosmetics.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Birkmyre had an afternoon to forget in their first fixture of 2025 when they tumbled to a 92-0 defeat away to West 2 leaders Strathendrick.

The Kilmacolm club are back on home turf this Saturday, January 25, when they play host to Cumbernauld.