Perthshire 12 – 45 Stirling County 2XV
Well drilled Stirling County 2XV show their class as Perthshire rally too late in second half.
Saturday saw the first preseason action on the North Inch, it was a fast paced 80 minutes which tested the young ‘Shire team in all areas on the game. Initially this was due to be a double header with Perthshire 2XV taking on Stirling County 3XV as well, but the 3XV called off late in the week and no alternative opposition could be found at such short notice.
Some last-minute injuries and illness affected the line-up and travel chaos in Perth truncated the warm-up. Nonetheless it was an exciting & hungry team of youthful potential that took to the field to face the high pedigree opponents.
The first ten minutes saw Perthshire initially take the ball and work the phases but to little success. On the turnover Stirling were eager and clinical in attack scoring two incisive tries. With key players missing the ‘Shire lineouts & scrums were subpar and surrendered possession too easily in good attacking positions.
As the half progressed, Perthshire got a feel for the game and started to pressure Stirling. The set piece coming evermore reliable proved an attacking platform, however, it was to no avail and again when inside the home 22 County made their mark to score 2 further tries in the first half.
Half time: Perthshire 0 – 26 Stirling County 2XV.
In the second half ‘Shire upped the tempo and were justly rewarded for their efforts when a driven lineout maul from 10m out made it all the way for newcomer Paul MacLean to score his first try for Perthshire in his North Inch debut. The conversion was missed.
County responded almost immediately as Perthshire collected the restart but spilt the ball allowing through a soft score. It wasn’t long before a fortuitus bounce of the ball allowed Stirling space on the right wing to break out and score again.
Despite these lapses Captain Mat Rae challenged his team to up their game and sort the defensive weaknesses. This Perthshire team showed no sign of giving up and went back on the attack. There were some excellent lines and offloads from the centres, great to already see the positive impact of Murray Ormiston; and the back three of Jay Pettie, Aidan Watson & Jonny Armitt coming into the line found space to attack.
Jack McIntosh at scrum half was communicating & controlling the forwards around the breakdown. The pack responded well, hard lines run by Ewen MacDonald and Blair Twaddell made gains and then, for a brief moment after a powerful run, Ali Nisbett broke through 3 tackles to find himself in the clear. County tracked him down just outside the 22, the offload didn’t go to hand, but this demonstrated the effect of the hard work the squad have put in the gym through the off-season.
There was no let-up in the intensity of the match. County managed one more try but the final say went to Perthshire. After securing a lineout in the Stirling 22, a safely taken ball led to a driven maul. The ball went out to the centre which drew in the defence allowing for the long pass out to Aidan Watson who darted over for a try. Jonny Armitt added the extras and the referee whistled for full time.
The better drilled and consistent Stirling showed Perthshire how well rugby can be played when structures are followed and individuals put in the hits & attack the line. There was plenty to learn and a number of positives for those wearing Black & White. No player had a bad game and there is lots of food for thought for the coaching team as the League opener draws ever nearer.
Next weekend the 1XV travel to Linlithgow for a Friday night fixture, KO 7:30pm. Then on Saturday 24th August Metropolis RFC, a touring team from Minneapolis, USA will play a mixed 2XV/3XV/Veterans Perthshire on the North Inch with a 6:30pm kick-off.
