Lucky and Unlucky Breaks

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Perthshire Women 34 – 46 Dunfermline

Injuries blight positive performance as Eagles concede the lead late on.

A tougher task faced our women this week, taking on an experienced Dunfermline side. A bright start saw Eilidh Coutts gather the kick off and set the team going forward with a series of rucks. A penalty was awarded and from the resulting lineout take and drive on by Zoe Fummey, Heather McKenzie made a break and was ably supported by Alex Ward to create a great team try finished off by Jess Steel. Alex Ward added the extra 2 points from the tee.

The positive play continued and after the ball passed through 5 or 6 pairs of hands, the second try was finished by Chloe Bennett. Dunfermline soon struck back with an interception try and later a second off a 5m scrum. They scored their third after a lapse in defence. Nearing the end of the first half, some pressure from the Perthshire back line resulted in an interception try for Alex, which she converted.

The final try of the half came from a Dunfermline turnover taking the half time score to 24-22. There had been a number of changes through injury and the half ended with Paula Watson sustaining a broken arm. We wish her well in her recovery.

The second half’s first score came from some quick thinking by Anna Davies as she took a quick tap penalty and touched down from short range. A converted try for Dunfermline was followed by a searing full pitch breakaway try from Chloe Bennett. More injuries were sustained in the second half, including another arm fracture, this time for Eilidh Coutts. The changes unsettled the Home defence and Dunfermline ran in a final two tries to finish the game 12 points ahead.

The team are relieved to have a week’s break to let the more minor injuries heal.

Some excellent play from both teams resulted in a very competitive match, the crowd assembled on the North inch enjoyed the spectacle in the late summer sunshine. We wish Dunfermline well for the rest of their season.

Photos taken by Dave Morgan Pix.

Flying Start for Perthshire Women

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Perthshire Women 34 – 17 Lismore

Eagles take off and make a statement in first league fixture.

It is over 20 years since Perthshire Women contested a league fixture on the Inch, but the club had a positive start to their Caledonia/Midlands East campaign with a 34-17 victory over Lismore on a warm, sunny afternoon in front of an appreciative crowd.

Perthshire had the majority of possession in the first 20 minutes, resulting in some controlled, multiphase play. Lydia McGinley took an excellent catch from a kick and after some strong running, offloaded to Chloe Bennett for the first try, which was converted by Sarah McCormack.

Chloe’s second try finished off more controlled possession with some determined running. The Perthshire pack had scrummaged well and a pick up from number 8, Heather McKenzie was finished off again by Chloe Bennett on a looping run for her third try.

In the run up to half time, Perthshire secured their try bonus point with a lovely team try, including two line breaks from Sarah McCormack, who passed inside to Paula Watson for a beautifully worked try. Half time score: 22-0.

Lismore started the second half strongly and with some direct running and good support play scored two tries. Perthshire did not panic, however, and when Heather McKenzie got the ball in space on the Lismore 22, some great footwork and strong running took her through the defence for Perthshire’s fifth try, successfully converted by Sarah McCormack.

A few minutes later, Chloe Bennett secured a fantastic turnover around halfway, and passed to Heather for her second try of the day. A consolation try for Lismore in the closing minutes was a fair reward for their second half performance.

Player of the match for Perthshire was second row Jess Steel for her excellent tackling, line out work and strong running throughout the game. All the players thoroughly enjoyed the match and we wish Lismore every success for the rest of the season.

Photos taken by Peter Wilkinson.