BIRKMYRE suffered only their second defeat of the season at home to a competitive Irvine side.

The Kilmacolm team went down 23-7 in what was a very evenly matched contest for much of the fixture.

The early passages of play saw possession for both sides, however, no one team was able to gain control.

Both sides were making errors and giving away penalties with much of the match being played midfield.

The first opportunity to score fell to the home side. Birkmyre won a penalty 30 metres out and took a kick at goal. Unfortunately, the ball slipped wide of the posts. The game remained evenly balanced until the 35th minute, when the Irvine pack recycled the ball from a line out and mauled over for the only score of the first half.

The second half started positively for the visitors, with them scoring their second try six minutes in. It was almost a carbon copy of their initial score with the forwards doing all the work.

On the 57th minute, Birkmyre got themselves back into the game. They were awarded a penalty try following a number of infringements by the opposition.

Irvine responded with two penalties of their own within the space of four minutes which stretched their lead to 16-7 with 20 minutes still to play.

Despite having their share of possession, Birkmyre were unable advance the scoreboard, and with a little more than five minutes remaining, the visitors put the game to bed with a final try from a short distance scrum.

The result keeps Birkmyre in second place in the league, however, they do have two games in hand over the league leaders.

Victories in both these matches would see them return to the top spot.