12 April 08 - Hyndland v Mull Hyndland - - - Mull ~~~~~~~~~~ 5 April 08 - Arran v Mull Arran - - - Mull ~~~~~~~~~~ 29 March 08 - Jordanhill Phoenix v Mull Jordanhill Phoenix 15 - 12 Mull ~~~~~~~~~~ 22 March 08 - Mull v Carrick Mull 0 - 3 Carrick ~~~~~~~~~~ 15 March 08 - Clydebank v Mull (National Plate) Clydebank 24 - 0 Mull ~~~~~~~~~~ 01 March 08 - Mull v Bishopton (National Plate and League Fixture) Mull 22 - 0 Bishopton A great performance from a strong Mull side moved them into the third round of the National Plate. The main headline of the day was:DAVE DOWNHAM PASSES!!!!! Mull started the stronger of the two sides.James MacPhail made a powerful run,swatting off several Bishopton platers,only to knock the ball on over the try line!This mistake only got the big man fired up and he soon crossed the line to give Mull the lead. Stand off,Kyle(curly)Chesney got a difficult conversion to make the score 7-0. Mulls second try also came in the first half.Jamie(Knocky)MacLean made a great run,supported by Dave Downham.Dave recieved the ball from Jamie on the half way line,and to everyones shock,the greedy welshman passed the ball! Jamie then finished off the move,giving Mull a lead of 12-0. Mulls third try came in the second half,when a well worked move was finished off by Chris Barlow.The conversion was missed,but a successful penalty kick gave Mull a 22-0 win. The next round match is away against Clydebank on the 15th March. ~~~~~~~~~~ 23 February 08 - Mull v Lanark (National Plate) Mull 17 - 3 Lanark ~~~~~~~~~~ 9 February 08 - Mull v Renfrew Mull 55 - 0 Renfrew ~~~~~~~~~~ 19 January 08 - Mull v Hyndland Mull 10 - 8 Hyndland ~~~~~~~~~~ 12 January 08 - Mull v Jordanhill Phoenix Mull 21 - 5 Jordanhill Phoenix ~~~~~~~~~~ 5 January 08 - Mull v Cowal Mull 7 - 17 Cowal ~~~~~~~~~~ 15 December 07 - Mid Argyll v Mull Mid Argyll 15 - 44 Mull After seeing the early league form that had seen them go six games unbeaten in the league slip over the last month a determined Mull side came to Lochgilphead looking to put their league challenge back on the road. The opening five minutes set the shape of the match with Mid-Argyll happy to play close in with Mull looking to bring their backs into play at every opportunity, and after some good turnover ball from Colin McPhail young centre David McLennan fed returning wing James McPhail for the opening try. Mid Argyll hit back soon after with a score from a worked maul, but Mull punished sloppy defending with a try each from Colin McPhail ,Captain David Downham and David McLennan with Stand off Kyle Chesney adding a penalty with the boot. Mull raised the tempo in the second half and absorbed early pressure well from the Mid-Argyll pack, and from a turnover Full back Jamie MacLean put Downham in for his Second. Mull now had the hammer down and tries from Coiln McPhail and the hat-trick score from Downham cancelled out Mid-Argyll final score a penalty try for collapsing the Maul. After losing form over the last month Mull were happy finish off 2007 in style and look forward to the coming year’s rugby. ~~~~~~~~~~ 17 November 07 - Lanark v Mull Lanark 29 - 5 Mull ~~~~~~~~~~ 10 November 07 - Carrick v Mull Carrick 49 - 0 Mull ~~~~~~~~~~ 3 November 07 - Mull v Bishopton Mull 13 - 8 Bishopton Mull looked ready for their first league match in over a month, after their defeat the previous week in the Scottish Hydro Electric cup to Strathendrick RFC, and fielding a team with several changes and including some of the clubs younger [and older!] players hungry for a win. The weather and pitch condition had improved vastly and a large and very vocal crowd of supporters helped to focus the home team. Bishopton looked well drilled and had come to the Island after having a a good run of wins in previous weeks. Mull received the kickoff but as with the week before appeared to take time to settle into their game. Good pressure from Bishopton resulted in a kickable penalty 9 minutes in from just outside Mull's 22 but fortunately with a tight enough angle to become just too tough. No score, but continued pressure from the Bishopton forwards resulted in a push over try from their number 8 in the corner, unconverted. Mull upped the pace at the re start and drove up the field with a series of good phases to spin off a ruck and come within inches of the visitors line. Quick ball allowed the Mull backs to string some passes together and a darting run from number 10 Chesney sent him in for his first try of the season. 36 minutes in and Bishopton had their first injury with the number 5 going off with a twisted knee. The heavy, and at time fiery, battle between the forward packs resulted in many knocks and a large amount of time off during the game. Second half and Mull surged after their kick, pressuring Bishopton in their own half resulting in a penalty, successfully kicked by Chesney. Two minutes later and another penalty to Mull, again opting to kick with No.6 MacPhail stepping up for the long range attempt only to fall short. Good followup on this kick pressure again from Mull forced the turnover and quick ball to the backs allowed Maclean on the wing to charge through 3 defenders and score in the corner, the tricky conversion missed by Chesney. Five minutes later and Strachan [No.4] was replaced by Bolton, followed shortly after by Greig [No.5] for Duncan. The fresh legs in the Mull scrum allowed the Islanders to compete harder in the set pieces, but Bishopton came back and pushed into the Mull half. An unusual lapse in disipline gave the visitors penalty 5 yards out from the mull line. A quick tap and some desperate defending from Mull left Bishopton no option other than to pass it out to the backs, which allowed Mull to capitalise on a handling error and clear their lines. Another penalty to Bishopton on the 70th minute allowed them to kick for points bring the score to 13-8 to Mull. The last ten minutes was hard fought, but yielded no further scores and at the final whistle Mull took the match. Players and the club would like to thank the supporters who once again lifted the team, our match sponsor - MacGochans Bar & Bistro and Neil Morrison - for drawing the post match raffle and presenting the Man of the Match medal to Colin MacPhail. Thanks go again to the catering staff and who ever ensured the showers were hot this week!! Next weekend sees Mull travel to Carrick RFC in Maybole. ~~~~~~~~~~ 27 October 07 - Mull v Strathendrick (National Cup) Mull 5 - 19 Strathendrick Mull came into this match after having a two week break due to the Mull Rally and no referee being available last weekend. Several first choice players were also missing through injury or prior commitments, but Mull were confident of being competitive around the pitch. In some really typical Mull weather [horizontal heavy rain!] the two teams squared off with Mull opting to play with the wind, whilst Strathendrick took the kick. This went out on the full and the battle started at half way with a scrum. A weakened Mull tight five took the brunt of a well drilled Strathendrick pack, but with a backline of MacColl, MacPhail, and Patterson flying around the set pieces and break downs Strathendrick's forwards had to get the ball out quickly to their backs. Early pressure from the opposition eventually gave them the chance to kick for points, but fortunately for the home side, failed to do so. However, 5 minutes into the game an easy try to the Strathendrick full back [converted] followed by another two minutes later from the Endrick Center, also converted, saw the home side wonder if their game was up to the running rugby of the opposition. 20 minutes in and Mull after some desperate defending and slowly increasing cohesion within the team lost MacColl to a rib injury with Campbell on as replacement. A well executed third try to Endrick in the corner took the score to 0 - 19, but this served to start a resurgence in the home team with a penalty awarded to Mull. This was missed, but chasing Mull players pressured Endrick and were awarded a scrum on the 5m line. A huge effort from the Mull pack allowed MacPhail to pick up and charge towards the line, before offloading to Gibbons for a try in the corner. Half time score - Mull 5 - 19 Strathendrick. The second half and Mull playing into the weather and a period of superb defensive Rugby from the home side. The 50th minute and Campbell was help off with a suspected arm injury to be replaced by MacKellar. Some interesting shuffling of the forward pack ensued, with Captain James Greig suffering the effects of a concussion making some interesting and amusing changes! As MacKellar lined up as hooker at the scrum, the opposition looked on in disbelief and not a little trepidation. Order was soon restored, but shortly after Greig was replaced by new cap Duncan. The Strathendrick number 7, who had been a thorn in the side to the home side with his scathing runs had to leave the field injured. Mull continued to keep a strong defensive and importantly disciplined grip on the game, but couldn't break out of their own half. Barlow came on to replace Bolton at Center and made 2 good tackles before the final whistle. Mull were left to rue their 'startled rabbit' approach to the opening 20 minutes of the match, but took a lot from the last 60, knowing that the cobwebs are gone and the hunger to win is stronger than ever....... The Players would like to thank their match Sponsor, the MacDonald Arms and Susan Hall for drawing the raffle and presenting the Man of the Match medal to Mull player John Patterson. Also, big thanks to the supporters for braving the elements, Catering for warming us up after the great steaming hot showers!!! and last but not least Pam MacColl for rescuing a certain prop's clothes from disappearing into the confines of the Dunaros Hospital!! ~~~~~~~~~~ 6 October 07 - Mull v Clydesdale (National Cup) Mull 15 - 0 Clydesdale Mull looked forward to their first Scottish Hydro Electric Cup tie with quiet confidence based on a good run of wins and Clydesdale's previous results. Mull knew the game was on and at no time underestimated their opponents, but were eager to 'knock'em down' and claim the clubs first ever cup win. Shortly into the first quarter, Ali Whyte slotted a penalty kick to put points on the board for Mull. he was able to do this twice more during the first half as Clydesdale were penalised for slowing the ball down at breakdowns. Both teams appeared evenly matched and only the lack of discipline from Clydesdale allowed Mull to capitalize with their kicking game, with good field position from an energetic Mull pack helping. End of the first half Mull 9 - 0 Clydesdale. Ten minutes into the second half, captain Alexander Craig was unfortunate whilst competing strongly in a ruck to find himself between the ground and the oppositions 20 plus stone prop! An audible 'CRACK' was heard around the ground as his tibia and fibia broke in his right leg. Mull, under shock at this development where then subjected to fierce pressure from Clydesdale, who all but setup camp within the Mull 22, and for time where determined to call the Mull five meter line home! Some superb defending from the home side and breaks from Coco MacPhail and support, helped Mull out of their half and into position to kick a further two penalties to push the score to 15-0. 2 minutes to full time, Derwyn 'Lomo' Hewitt took possession of an opposing kick meant for touch. Whilst trying to evade the chasing players' tackle his right foot stuck in ground and resulted in a dislocated and fractured right ankle. Thankfully, the ambulance was still on hand from Captian Craigy's incident, and Big D was delivered into safe hands! The Referee blew full time at this junction, with Mull winning its first Cup tie to mixed emotions. NB - whilst in hospital, the two boys received many texts of support from the Clydesdale players and would like to thank them for their concern. The Club and players would like to thank the supporters, Ambulance staff and the staff at Dunaros for all their help and support. ~~~~~~~~~~ 29 September 07 - Mull v Mid Argyll Mull 38 - 10 Mid Argyll ~~~~~~~~~~ 22 September 07 - Cowal v Mull Cowal 8 - 12 Mull 17 players travelled from Mull to Cowal, with 3 more meeting at the ground, with high expectations of a grudge match against 'Budgies Team'! A strong cross wind blew across the pitch for the entire game, with Mull winning the toss and opting to play against the slope in the first half. Cowal's pack out weighed the Mull forwards considerably and the opening 20 minutes saw some huge clashes. Mull soon pinned Cowal into their 22 with some telling short chips from James Gibbons keeping Cowal on the back foot close to their own line. Cowal however had the measure of the Mull lineout and competed well holding Mull away from the try line. Eventually and break from MacColl put him behind the posts for the opening score of the game, converted by Gibbons. The Second half saw both teams fighting it out back and forth between the two 22's, with the intensity increasing and the hits getting bigger. Cowal opting to run several penalties using their number 8 as the crash player. Eventually a clever backs move involving their 'jinky' fullback resulted in Cowal scoring and although unconverted, finally taking the lead from a well slotted penalty a few minutes later. Mull came back hard, and pressured Cowal considerably. The bench was used to good effect as Greig and Wilson both came off injured to be replaced by MacLean [Open side flanker] and Douglas [wing] with Hewitt moving to lock in the pack. 3 minutes from time Mull won a penalty on the sidelines. Gibbons kicked and watched as the ball weaved through the air, only to hit the posts. Excellent pressure from Mull forced Cowal to kick for touch and a Line out on the 5m line. 2 minutes to go, Mull won the lineout and tried the Maul for a pushover. This was stopped by Cowal by some desperate defending before MacColl once again showed his experience by taking the ball from the ensuing ruck and rushing the blind side for a superb try. ~~~~~~~~~~ 15 September 07 - Mull v Arran Mull 41 - 10 Arran ~~~~~~~~~~ 08 September 07 - Renfrew v Mull Renfrew 0 - 69 Mull Mull arrived on the 8.30am ferry to Oban full of confidence after their dramatic win the previous week, but little did they know how historic their day would end up. Mull travelled with a squad of 18, the starting team had only two changes from the previous week. Colin MacPhail came in at number 8 to replace birthday boy Angus MacColl, and Richard Douglas came into the wing for Eoghann (Smeggan) MacLean. Due to the serious traffic the Mull team was half an hour late, giving the hosts an extended warm up! Straight from the kick off it was apparent Mulls new training regime was paying dividends. Tries from Ally Whyte [2], David MacLennan and Richard Douglas gave Mull a 25-0 lead at half time. In previous years Mull may have relaxed on this lead, but not this new look team lead by their giant captain Alexander Craig [!!!??]. The Islanders turned up the heat in the second half, running in another 5 tries - Colin MacPhail 3 and James Gibbons 2. All three substitutes were used in the second half - Ben [the Lord] Wilson, Jamie [the Lord's Bi**h] Barlow , and Ben [Mr October] Bolten. Mulls summer training proved vital as their fitness was the key factor in this Club record 0-69 away win. The club would like to thank the people that travelled to Linwood to support the 'Isle of Mull Redsocks', who now find themselves top of the league and look forward to their next game on the 15th of September against Isle of Arran at Garmony. ~~~~~~~~~~ 01 September 07 - Mull v Lanark Mull 10 - 6 Lanark The pre-season training had been going well for the majority of the team, so Mull felt and looked fitter than ever for their first game of the season. Lanark arrived boasting a party of nearly 30 people, all looking very professional in club shirts, ties and tracksuits. Although Mull may not have looked as professional they did have a large squad of 22 players, with two first time starting debuts in Kyle Chesney at Outside Center and Eoghann Maclean on the Wing. Innes Weir made his long awaited comeback at Loose head prop after nearly 15 years [where he played on the Wing!]. The Game kicked off at 2pm and the Mull pack started their domination over a much larger and experienced group of forwards. Unfortunately, Weir's comeback only lasted 25 minutes into the first half before being forced to retire with a popped knee. Replacement Calum MacDonald came on to fill in at prop. The first half finished at 0-0, with Mull having several chances at points which they just could not finish. The Second half continued the same way as the first with Mull dominating the set piece play but loosing ground in the open to the more physical presence of the Lanark backs. Mull eventually took the lead with some fine support play between backs and forwards putting Captain Alexander Craig into space before the line resulting in a try. Unfortunately Stuart O'Donnell was injured during the move and was replaced by 16 year old Scott MacColl making his Senior Mull debut, and teaming up with his proud Dad Angus in the back row. Mull conceded two soft penalties which allowed Lanark to edge 6-5 ahead. All looked lost as Lanark soon counter attacked in the dying stages of the game with a breakaway run by their outside center, fortunately chased down by David MacLennan with a try saving tackle. This forced Mull back behind their own twenty two and into a period of some desperate defending. However with one minute to go a break from Full Back and Vice Captain David Downham weaved through the Lanark defenders to half way, with a well timed pass to winger Derwyn Hewitt who ran the length to touchdown giving Mull a much deserved 10-6 win to the delight of the large local [and vocal!]crowd. The players, coach and club wish to thank all those who came down to support and hope to see them at the next home game against Arran on the 15th of September. ~~~~~~~~~~ Click here for 2006/07 Match Reports Click here for 2005/06 Match Reports