It was a day to rewrite the record books as the Villagers stormed to an outstanding 139-14 victory over league strugglers Paisley.

With the weather forecast putting the Castle Policies pitch in doubt the Club had taken the pre-emptive decision to move the fixture into North Lanarkshire to use the all weather pitch at Dalziel. As things transpired, this decision was to prove to be a good one for the Villagers as they used the firm and consistent surface to put on a show of dominant running rugby.

A total of 21 tries and 17 conversions accounted for the Villagers' tally, with the visitors bravely continuing to battle in the face of what became an inevitable onslaught, their 2 tries early in the second half were nothing more than well deserved consolation.

The action came thick and fast as the Villagers set about taking the game to Paisley. With only 10 minutes played, the home side were already 21 points clear, tries from McPhail, McFadden, and McKeown being supplemented by 3 conversions from the boot of Anderson.

Ten minutes later and the score had moved on to 47-0. This time it was McPhail, Kennedy, Buchanan, and Anderson who claimed the tries with Anderson securing the extras for 3 of them.

Unsurprisingly, the pace dropped slightly, and in the second 20 minutes of the opening half the Villagers only added 28 more points to their haul from 4 converted tries. The honours claimed by Buchanan, Paul, McPhail, and Anderson. Once more it was Anderson who made sure of the conversions.

The half time oranges arrived with the Villagers comfortably ahead by 75 points, and the result now a formality.

Captain Ewan Fox got the second half underway with his first try of the season, before McKeown added his second of the afternoon.....and then the comeback started. Paisley bravely fought their way into the game, claiming 2 tries in 5 minutes to get themselves onto the scoreboard. The successful conversions brought their tally to 14 points, but alas, this was to be the last they saw of the Villagers try line.

Having been stung back into action the Villagers once more went on a scoring spree. In the 20 minutes that remained they claimed a further 8 tries, 7 of which were converted. Scoring credits go to O'Donnell, Watson, Buchanan, Watt, McPhail, Anderson (2), McPherson. Anderson slotted home 5 of the conversions with McPhail picking up the other 2.

At the final whistle the Villagers could be justifiably proud of their performance, which has sent your correspondent rushing home to check the archives to confirm if today's score line is a club record for a competitive league fixture. For Paisley, it has been a long hard season already, but they never gave up and kept fighting to the end.

The size of today's victory could prove crucial as we approach the business end of the season, boosting the Villagers points difference significantly. The win sets things up nicely for next weekend's return clash against table topping Cambuslang. Having lost out by only 3 points at Coats Park in November it is vital that the Villagers secure a home victory to close the gap at the top of the table.

All the action in what promises to be a thrilling local derby will get underway at Castle Policies at 2pm. Don't miss it !