Paisley travelled to Stonehouse to play Clydesdale RFC in the first round of the Scottish Cup. Paisley were looking to build on the good Cup form of last season. The game was played in difficult conditions, with a strong wind curbing Paisleys efforts at expansive rugby in the first half.

Paisley had the benefit of the wind in the first half and used this to good effect to keep Clydesdale pinned back in their own half. The Paisley lineout was looking stronger than recent weeks with Michael Sommerville restored at 2nd jumper and Fraser Ross resuming the hooking duties.

The pressure eventually told when Clydesdale gave away a penalty which was converted by veteran standoff Gavin Newlands. (0 - 3). The Clydesdale pack was more than holding its own throughout the 1st period with tight driving play which Paisley were slow to react to. Paisley managed to keep sending Clydesdale back deep into their own half with some astute kicking, the only problem being trying not to kick the ball dead even from within their own 22. The Paisley forwards began to get some continuity going and eventually Mick King barged over from about 5 cm for the first try of the game. What a center was doing there to score the try is a matter of debate but rumour has it the backs were getting bored and cold waiting for the ball. Newlands again converted (0 - 10).

Paisley continued to force Clydesdale into their own half using the gale force wind to their advantage the pressure told when Mick King broke free (from considerably further out) to score his second try of the game. Newlands converted and Paisley took a 17 - 0 lead in at half time.

In the second half playing into the wind Paisley had a lot more pressure to deal with Clydesdales stand off scored the first of their trys stepping through the 9 - 10 channel to score under the sticks. The next Clydesdale score came soon after with an excellent driving maul from about 5 yards out taking the score to Clydesdale 12 , Paisley 17.

Paisley replied immediately with a try from 17 year old Mark Alexander who was making his debut on the wing finishing from all of 80m. The conversion was missed and the score was 22 -12 in Paisleys favour. Again cClydesdale cam back at Paisley scoring under the psots after some excellent support play from their forwards. The try was converted and Paisley were hanging on to a slender 22 - 19 lead.

Clydesdale pushed forward once again but Paisley turned over the ruck then shipped the turnover ball out to tht wing quickly for Martyn Holeman to go in from about 70m for the try beneath the posts. Newlands converted and Paisley were 29 - 19 in the lead. Paisley held this lead until the final whistle to win through to the second round of the Scottish Cup.

To say Paisley made hard work of this fixture would be an understatement, however the effects of the weather and the effort of Clydesdale should not be overlooked. No doubt Colin and his coaching team will be looking for some improvement before next weeks match against Moffat in the league.

Man of the Match went to Mick King who had an outstanding game bagging two tries.