The Sunnysiders saw off their fellow title contenders last Saturday in a match billed – according to the Ayrshire club's president Billy Walker – as "the biggest rugby game in Scotland".

They even saved their best for last at Lochshore by manufacturing two impressive late tries to put the icing on the cake.

And not even a bus breakdown, which entailed leaving the clubhouse one hour later than planned, could stop the visitors' loyal band of supporters from witnessing the occasion.

"Thanks must go to the travelling support, who made their presence known. It was a tremendous result and a superb effort by everyone involved," Falkirk club president Alex McQuade told Heraldsport.

"Garnock are a good side and can't remember the last time a side took 28 points from them on their own ground but, to their credit, they admitted Falkirk deserved the win.

"We still have three fixtures left but it puts us in pole position and we have big game players at our club who have the experience to raise their game when they have to, in order to win the championship.

"Those games are all at home and, to be sure of the title, we now know exactly what we have to do."

Without any shadow of a doubt whatsoever, both teams were well aware of the importance of this fixture. Consequently, their concentration and commitment was at its sharpest.

Roared on by both sets of supporters – more than 500 in total – from the starting whistle, the home side faired better and drove Falkirk back into their 22 metre area.

Garnock's forwards looked menacing and when the ball was released full-back Kurt Jacobson slotted over a neat drop goal.

However, apart from an aggressive opening 10-minute spell by Garnock, slowly but surely Falkirk began to assert their authority.

Starting from midfield, their pack got the upper hand and fought their way onto the five-metre line.

The ball was sent to stand-off Mark McKenzie and he, likewise, sent a tricky drop goal against the wind and between the posts.

With honours even it was Falkirk, to their credit, that showed enterprise in their back division with Roddy Denham and Cameron Drake
looking dangerous every time they were in possession.

In fact, one delightful move, built up from just inside Garnock's half,
saw Drake scythe his way through only to be hauled down on the five metre line.

However, Mark McKenzie's converted penalty in the 32nd minute, from more than 30 metres out, gave Falkirk some compensation.

Further sterling driving play, eight minutes later, by the Sunnysiders' forwards then paved the way for a five-metre lineout from which open-side wing forward Bob Wyllie got the all important touchdown for a half-time lead of 11-3.

Garnock, clearly stung into action, started the stronger after the break.

But again all they had to show for it was a 50th minute Jacobson converted penalty, with the same player missing another attempt shortly afterwards.

That would have made it 11-9, however fate played a cruel blow on Falkirk in the 57th minute when hooker Kevin McKenzie was yellow carded.

Yet, as so often happens with Falkirk, it made them all the more determined and brother Mark bi-sected the posts with another sweetly struck penalty, again from over 30 metres, four minutes later.

Holding on to that tenuous lead for the next 15 minutes or so, there were a few heart-stopping moments as far as the visitors were concerned.

Nevertheless, the Sunnysiders rallied impressively and an awesome driving maul was crabbed sideways to under Garnock's posts.

Kevin McKenzie duly fed Bill Faulds and he charged over the line like a raging bull in the 77th minute. Mark McKenzie added the two points.

The Sunnysiders then claimed another try, slap bang on the 80th minute, after catching Garnock slightly unawares when Mark McKenzie quickly broke blind, just outside the home side's 22 metre line, and fed prop-forward Kirk Asham.

Transferring to Wyllie, the wing forward made a dash for the corner before giving Calum MacAskill the scoring pass at the corner flag. Mark McKenzie again converted successfully from the touchline.

Falkirk: forwards – Currie, K. McKenzie, Asham, Faulds, Cairns, Edge, Wyllie, Ronald; backs – Cameron, M. McKenzie, Morrell, Denham, McAllister, Harris, Drake; substitutes – Reid, MacAskill, Parsons

GARNOCK 6

FALKIRK 28
Scottish Hydro Electric
National League Division One

THIS Saturday Falkirk take on Border side Langholm in the league at Sunnyside whilst the seconds have an away fixture to Forresters' seconds. Both matches kick-off at 3 p.m.