Carluke Tigers took on Rugby League Conference new boys Hillfoots Rams on Saturday, and the Tigers were looking forward to facing the new opponents and getting back on track after last weeks understrength performance in Edinburgh. The Rams were full confidence following their previous game, where they beat Victoria Knights in their first ever conference match.

Straight from the start it was apparent it was going to be a long afternoon for the Rams, as their first set was well contained by the Tigers, and once possession was secured, the Tigers scored on the second tackle with debutant Bengy Barsanti powering straight through the middle to go the length from inside his own half to score under the sticks. This was to be the pattern that followed as Barsanti, Beer, Simmonds and Karalus relentlessly powered through the home defence. The Rams did, however, manage to get two scores from breakaways.

Half Time - Carluke Tigers 42 Hillfoots Rams 12

The second half was a continuation of the first, with the Tigers dominating from start to finish, with George Sloan getting his first score for the club among others. All credit to Hillfoots Rams, who never gave up and shown a fighting spirit that allowed them to score two tries through interceptions in between the barrage of tries.

All in all a pretty easy afternoon for the Tigers, allowing several guys game time to get used to playing rugby league again. Hillfoots did show a great fighting spirit, and no doubt in the future they can be a force to be reckoned with.

Full Time - Carluke Tigers 94 Hillfoots Rams 24

Carluke Tigers; A. Lynch, L. McWhinnie, J. McAuley, B. Whitehead, K. Matheson, R. McAuley, L. Bryson, C. Simmonds, C. Cochrane, G. Ferguson, P. Beer, B. Barsanti, B. Karalus.
Subs; G. Sloan, S. Paton, S. Clowes, G. Ruthven, L. Matheson, R. Bryan, F. McKenzie .

Hillfoots Rams; C. Manson, G. Robertson, G. Simpson, J. Ferguson, A. Hamilton, G. Paterson, B. Colan, A. Robertson, J. Baker, C. McGee, E. Jemmison, C. Bailie, K. Patterson.