Ardrossan display league winning form on the Inch.
Perthshire 3 – 33 Ardrossan Academicals
Saturday saw Perthshire play their last match of the decade on the North Inch. The opponents were Ardrossan Academicals who the week before demolished Caithness 114-0. A tough game was anticipated against the Ayrshire team who must be favourites to win the league.
Conditions were not great for Perthshire’s brand of fast running rugby, instead as kick-off neared, the heavens opened and the already sodden pitch got wetter. It would be a game for the forwards, and playing in the right areas of the pitch; thus the set piece would be critical.
From the kick-off it was an attritional match. Both teams kept it simple sending runners into the opposition defence trying to break through. Tackling was good by both teams and little progress was made. Perthshire made the first foray into their opponents’ half. However, after some good short plays building the pressure, they were guilty of pushing too hard for the miracle pass and the ball was knocked on.
The Ardrossan scrum is a formidable machine. Perthshire could do their best to keep it at bay, but the Ayrshire men often got the upper hand. Eventually from a scrum Ardrossan got the go forward and a missed tackle allowed them all the way out from their half. Last ditch cover brought the man down, but he manged an offload for a softish try, converted it was 0-7.
The pattern repeated. Perthshire made a good attack but undid their work with unforced errors. Ardrossan would counter but the ‘Shire defence held firm and they too would lose control of the ball. Ardrossan were dominant in the scrum and the lineouts were becoming a lottery whenever Perthshire had the throw.
The flowing locks of Dan Bowater made their return to the North Inch, adding an extra threat in attack; along with Ewen MacDonald he was causing all sorts of problems from the base of the ruck. Alas, the momentum would go as soon as it arrived due to a knock-on or dropped ball putting Perthshire backwards.
Ardrossan grabbed their second try with about 25 minutes played when they wheeled the scrum to give a clean run down the blindside. With 3 attackers on one defender and enough space there was little Scott Alcorn could do other than pick off the ball carrier who passed to his support for a simple run in. An easy conversion followed, 0-14.
From the restart pressure applied to Ardrossan made them knock-on in their own half. A change was made in the scrum: second row James Mair moved to the flank with Ewan MacKessack-Leitch moving in from blindside to the row. This seemed to work, the scrum steadied and the referee was getting wise to early pushing and boring in by the Ardrossan front row. A penalty won and Perthshire elected to kick. Jonny Armitt lined it up but hit the post and Ardrossan were there to gather and send it down the pitch.
The final 10 minutes saw Perthshire grow into the game. Strong carries, a reliable scrum and solid defence was gaining momentum. High balls sent up from the boot of Adam Dearden caused difficulties for Ardrossan. With 3 minutes left Perthshire won another kickable penalty which Jonny Armitt drilled between the sticks to get Perthshire on the scoreboard 3-14.
The half ended in frantic style with both teams playing a game of kicking tennis willing the other to make a mistake. None was made, when the ball went into touch the whistle blew.
The second half started with Perthshire coming out more assertive. The game plan was to put as much pressure on Ardrossan as possible. Initially it worked, the first 10 minutes were all played in the Ardrossan half. Despite this effort there was no reward. A penalty missed and the lineout still wasn’t functioning to give good ball in attacking positions.
Eventually, Ardrossan broke the siege, winning a turnover on the line and stormed up the field. At the halfway the referee stopped play to return to the try line where Murray Ormiston was being set upon by 5 (yes 5!) Ardrossan players. Once the cavalry of both teams arrived the situation settled and the referee decided there was no sanction necessary and just to restart with a scrum.
From then on, the match became increasing ill-tempered. High-tackles went unpunished, off the ball incidents ignored and deliberate rucking of players dismissed. There were many bust-ups, but no penalties nor warnings given other than a general request for players to behave.
With about 55 minutes played Ardrossan won a scrum penalty and kicked to the corner. Perthshire nearly stole the lineout but Ardrossan collected and the driving maul was unstoppable for the converted try, 3-21.
More endeavour by Perthshire would make ground. Fielding kicks Jonny Armitt and Scott Alcorn would find space and run back with interest, but the support would be too slow or bad decisions made to surrender the ball. In defence Mat Rae & Ross Angus led with aggression making life a misery for the Ardrossan fly-half.
The ‘Shire scrum by now maybe had the upper hand but lineouts continued to be a struggle. Ardrossan made good use of their superiority and driving maul whenever they could. Twice Perthshire had attacking lineouts within 10m of the Ardrossan line but twice they were thwarted.
In the final 10 minutes the tank was emptied but Perthshire could do no more. Taking advantage Ardrossan managed to run in a further 2 tries to give a final score of 3-33.
There was heart, passion and a real desire from the boys; standing toe-to-toe with their opposition they never backed down. Yet, it wasn’t enough against the better team. Some encouragement that, with that spirit, Perthshire can challenge in all their remaining 11 games of the league. It’s not time to panic but wins at the weekend for West of Scotland and Strathmore will make the job of staying in National League rugby that bit harder.
There was no match for the 2XV this week, but both teams are in action for the final matches of 2019 on 14th December. The 1XV travel to 4th placed Lasswade and the 2XV are away to Glenrothes 2XV, both kick-off at 2pm.
