No Luck in Northumberland

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Berwick 33 – 23 Perthshire

Depleted Perthshire fall short in over the border foray.

Alan Clark was not a very happy coach on Saturday morning as Perthshire could only muster a total of 23 senior players to fulfil 2 fixtures. The 2s game was cancelled and the 1s travelled to Berwick with only 17 players, several of whom would be making their 1XV debut.

The scene at Berwick could not have been more contrasting with more than 100 supporters in their buzzing clubhouse and only Perthshire’s 2 geriatric supporters to combat them. Not surprisingly, Berwick started strongly as the Shire youngsters fought to find their feet. Shire were confined to their 22 but the defence was excellent as Berwick’s massive forwards and sharp backs pinned them back. Aidan Watson almost scored a breakaway try as he kicked a loose ball downfield and was just beaten to the touchdown. It wasn’t long before Perthshire settled into their game though and centre James Armstrong chipped a beautiful kick over the heads of the rushing defence, plucked the ball out of the air and sped through the rest of the cover to score a superb try. Aidan Watson almost replicated this when he did the same but was hauled down and Berwick escaped with a penalty. However, Shire fought back again and were rewarded with a penalty 40 metres out and Calum Bruce slotted this one with ease and Shire entered the second quarter with an 8-point lead.

Berwick were stung into action and sent a huge penalty into touch in the Shire 22. Their big pack then drove over for a converted try. Berwick scored again but thankfully the referee spotted an infringement and the score was chalked off, but minutes later they landed a penalty to take the lead. This was a slack period for Shire as dropped passes and penalties mounted up but they stuck to their task only to be dealt a devastating blow in injury time when they were pounding the Berwick line before a mistake allowed Berwick to breakaway and score another converted try to give them a fortuitous 14 – 8 lead at half time.

Perthshire’s young guns were playing out of their skins and even some of the others such as Andy “Combine” Jack who hasn’t seen a rugby ball for a year and a half and Ryan Moon parachuted into the front row from the 2XV were holding their own and lasting the pace. Aedan Milne at scrum half made his debut from the Colts and he is a burgeoning talent with his strength and passing ability. Young Adrian Venter is the feisty type of backrower that all clubs hate to play against. He is fast, in your face and one of the first to every breakdown and a good tackler. Perthshire started the 2nd half in determined fashion and Aidan Watson received a thumping tackle but he managed to retain possession and this allowed the team to strike back swiftly with Jay Pettie finishing off a lovely move by squeezing in at the corner. With just 1 point separating the teams they were both going all out for the deciding scores. Adrian Venter pulled off a try scoring tackle before Aidan Watson again made a sweeping break dodging through 4 tackles but he was too fast for the support and when he was hauled down in the 22, he was penalised for holding on to the ball.

Calum Chalmers, one of Shire’s outstanding players had to leave the field and after all their pressure, Shire went into a lull as players tired and fell off tackles and passes went astray allowing Berwick to score two converted tries. Adrian Venter then received a bad injury and was assisted off and coach Clark reshuffled his reshuffled team once again giving a debut to another former Colt, Tom Colvin. The score line flattered Berwick but one more time Shire picked themselves up and secured enough penalties to almost win the game but they persevered for the tries and were rewarded when James Armstrong was driven over for his second try. Berwick’s speedy backs took advantage of some slipshod tackles to score again but Shire fought back and newcomer Matt Jenns scored Shire’s 4th try and secured a well-earned bonus point for his team.

This Perthshire team have now scored 8 tries in their last two games. With a bit more composure that number could have been doubled and it is clear that once Lady Luck shines on them, everything will click into place and the wins will return.

The team have issued a plea for all supporters to come down to the North Inch on Saturday for a must win game against Ardrossan. They will be treated to a sparkling game of rugby as Perthshire aim to convert their potential into winning ways. Kick off 3pm.

Lasswade Power Overcomes Perthshire

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Perthshire 20 – 49 Lasswade

Alan Clark’s team secure try bonus point in defeat to quality opposition.

The sun shone and day was set up for some exciting rugby, following on from the Perthshire Rugby Club Day, it was great to see such support on the touchlines for the 1XV & 2XV matches; and the crowds on the North Inch were not disappointed by the quality of rugby on display.

From the off this was an intensely physical and quick paced affair. Perthshire received the kick-off but fumbled the ball, so immediately were on the backfoot. The defence held and leading from the front Mat Rae won a turnover to relieve the pressure. Perthshire managed to break out down the right wing before working to the other side where a stretched Lasswade conceded a penalty around halfway.

Perthshire patiently worked through the phases as Lasswade gave away nothing in defence. Then using his power James Armstrong took a wide ball to work up into the 22. A series of quick rucks followed and Armstrong was there to finish the move with a carry from the base of the ruck to surge over the line for an unconverted try.

Restarts would beleaguer Perthshire all day and again they dropped this one. However, with the ferocious tackling and work on the ground neither team could gain an advantage as both sides exchanged attacks & turnovers without escaping the 10m lines.

Referee, JP Doyle, who was previously officiated at the Rugby World Cup, Six Nations and Heineken Cup was being fair on the whistle but Perthshire were guilty of slowing the ball down illegally. Lasswade opted to go for the posts, but missed. Jay Pettie took the ball and rather than touch down for the drop out, he ran out of his 22 before kicking ahead. In retreat, Lasswade were disorganised allowing Calum Chalmers to steal the ball around halfway. On the counter Perthshire were maybe too keen and Jonny Armitt’s next kick through returned the ball to Lasswade who made no mistake this time and powered down to the ‘Shire line. This was repelled by another stunning turnover from the back row and booted clear.Lasswade started to benefit from penalties at keenly contested rucks and stayed on the front foot. Awarded a scrum 30m out their luck held and they sent an up & under into 22 where there was no defender allowing the onrushing centre a simple catch and run in to score.

Perthshire struck back quickly securing the restart. Aidan Watson at 10, identified a mismatch and skipped round the defender to sprint downfield. Hauled down short the ball was fired out to the right wing where Jay Pettie used his speed and the remaining centimetres of the pitch to evade the tackles and squeeze over a try in the corner. Aidan Watson missed the conversion making the score 10-7.

This was an energetic half and still the action came. Hits were hard and resolve was strong, no team backed down. In particular the back rowers Kieran Ramsay, Calum Chalmers and James Mair were devastating in attack and defence. Meanwhile James Armstrong was working well with centre partner Mat Rae to cause all sorts of trouble in the wider channels.

The next to score were Lasswade, the ball spurt out from a ruck and the Midlothian men were quickest to react, kicking it through and diving over before the ‘Shire cover could get there. Converting the try they took the lead, 10-14.

Perthshire gave Lasswade too much space at the restart and after a quick ruck, their prop somehow found a clear park in front of him and charged near 20m before getting stopped. In behind, the retreating cover were unable to stop Lasswade who used quick hands and pace for a flowing move to extend their new lead with a converted try in the corner.

The lively action continued, the large crowd could hear and feels the hits, Kyle MacKinnon chief amongst the Black & White shirts battering his opponents. The temperature rose on the pitch as Lasswade illegally tipped James Armstrong upside down in a ruck clear out. The penalty went to the corner, lineout secured but the waves of attack were pushed back. It was the final play and Perthshire stilled endeavoured forward. James Armstrong & Kieran Ramsay fed off each other’s power crashing forward on short balls until Ramsay surged over the whitewash. With the kick again wide, it stood 15-21 at halftime.

Lasswade are a quality outfit and must be aiming to top the league this year. Head Coach Alan Clark asked for more of the same in the second half, could Perthshire maintain the intensity and discipline to see out the match?

The first 10 minutes were all Lasswade. Slowly but effectively they ramped up the pressure and creeped towards the ‘Shire line. No matter the outstanding efforts in defence, Lasswade were irrepressible eventually pushing forward to score against the base of the post. Minutes later they were back under the sticks following some soft hands and fast feet outfoxing ‘Shire to build a commanding 15-35 lead.

The replacements came on and made an impact, Jack McIntosh at scrumhalf took over from Andrew Sanderson who impressed on his 1XV debut in the 9 shirt, but was maybe not up to speed when he was caught at the base of the scrum and split the ball. Lasswade took advantage to quickly snaffle it, ship it wide and a series of 3 offloads saw them cross the line.

It wasn’t over and Mat Rae, who’s growing well into the role of Captain, rallied his players. Jack McIntosh started the counter with a scintillating break from his own half and was just caught with 10m to go. Matt Jenns hot on his heels brilliantly secured the ruck and quick ball was sent to the corner where Ross Goodison was rebuffed with inches to go. Lasswade had infringed, the penalty was taken quickly and after 2 phases Angus Walker, capped off his fine performance, burrowing over for a try. This bonus point try also went unconverted.

The final minutes ticked on with both teams clearly running on empty. Lasswade sneaked another score before the final whistle. What a performance, in a quality match that took everything out of the players to end 20-49.

Perthshire secured their first points of the league and have improved again. Alan Clark has an improving squad and though bruised and battered most players came out of the battle with Lasswade fit for next week’s challenge, the long away trip to Berwick.

This performance was buoyed by the 2XV who recovered from a slow start to better Strathmore 2XV, winning 40-17. The full report “Fun in the Sun on the North Inch” can be read on the 2XV page.

Photos taken by Peter Wilkinson & Heather Kirkman.

Rugby Sparks Back but Shire not Firing

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Perthshire 3 – 23 Howe of Fife

Perthshire’s first competitive home game for over 18 months was a bit of a disappointment. A large crowd of spectators made their way down to the North Inch but the vast majority of them were Howe supporters who made the journey from Fife by car, train and even bike.

Howe had the advantage of a difficult crosswind slightly in their favour but both teams looked really lively and the Perthshire boys were dominant in the scrum pushing their opponents back several metres at a time. This should have given them a big advantage but wayward passes and dropped balls prevented any meaningful attacks. This, coupled with giving away numerous penalties led to a nervy and scrappy opening to the game. Howe looked the more organised team and they opened the scoring in 15 minutes despite some sterling defence by Perthshire who kept them at bay but the defence eventually folded and Howe were 5 points up.

Shire’s back row were everywhere harrying and hassling the opposition and giving Howe no chance to settle but there was little cohesive play with both sides now being guilty of giving away penalties and the referee was losing patience. Howe were reduced to 14 men following a dangerous tackle but the Perth boys could not take advantage of the extra man and once again a needless penalty was given away and they went into half time trailing 0 – 8 but with all to play for in the second half.

Shire started the second half briskly with Armitt not far away with a difficult penalty attempt but a few minutes later he landed a monster kick from the halfway line and Shire pulled 3 points back. Unfortunately, this did not spur on the team and Howe were allowed straight back into the Shire 22 where they were awarded an unmissable penalty and 3 easy points. Perthshire’s mistakes were now being punished and they had to rely on a brilliant defensive tackle from Ross Goodison who back tracked 50 metres to catch and flatten Howe’s winger just short of the line. Shire’s back three must have been feeling left out of play as the ball rarely reached them and given the power and speed, they possess it severely curtailed any attacking play. Mistakes and penalties continued to pile up as the game progressed and Howe scored a further 2 tries with no reply.

Perthshire have some excellent players and every one of the forwards more than held their ground in this local derby but the team as a whole played as individuals and there was no bite or variety in attack. Scott Alcorn made a memorable impression after coming on as replacement 5 minutes from the end and was unlucky not to score a sensational try following a kick through and sprint then dislocated his shoulder in the final minute. Matt Jenns and Calum Chalmers are going to be sensational acquisitions for Shire and with another tough home fixture against Lasswade coming up on Saturday the team will be looking to eradicate all the errors and show their supporters what they are capable off.

The 2XV were in action away to Montrose, the match report “When it Rains it Pours, Woes in Wet Montrose” can be seen on the 2XV page. Both teams are on the North Inch with fixtures against Lasswade and Strathmore 2XV to be played as the culmination of the Perthshire Rugby Club Day this Saturday (18th September). All supporters welcome to come and cheer on the boys in Black & White.