Strathmore 31 – 15 Perthshire

Perthshire defend & defend but can’t resist the pressure.

Perthshire entered Inchmacoble Park knowing they would face not only the 15 men of Strathmore on the pitch but their vocal supporters from Forfarshire assembled to watch the local derby.

It did not start well, Perthshire with the kick off, going short then conceding a penalty at the following scrum. However, after some defending ‘Shire managed to escape and a kick through put them onto the front foot and into Strathmore’s half.

Lineout struggles killed off the momentum and Strathmore kicked ‘Shire back down. Solid defence won a turnover and a quick tap by Lewis Murrie created an opportunity. A few phases later the attack died and returning for a high tackle penalty, Calum Bruce opted to take the shot at goal. It was a tough angle from 35m but he opened the scoring, 0-3.

Quietened temporarily, the home crowd were soon back in full voice as Strathmore crossed the whitewash a couple of minutes later following a sustained period of pressure. It did not take long for their second to arrive off the back of a lineout, 14-3.

The pendulum swung back to Perthshire who mounted a series of assaults on Strathmore’s 22. Eventually they were rewarded when Ross Goodison, further consolidating his transition to a hooker, scored off the back of a 5m lineout maul. Calum Bruce’s conversion just drifting right, 14-8.

The remainder of the first half saw ‘Shire defending hard, but the direct running from Strathmore was proving hard to overcome. Losing Adrian Venter to the sin bin put the Eagles under more pressure but they hung on, keeping a determined Strathmore out until the half time whistle.

The second half resumed where it left off, desperate but resolute defence from 14-man Perthshire holding out and winning turnovers to prevent Strathmore from making use of their numerical advantage.

Though restored to 15, the defence continued and it was the set piece where Perthshire were in the greatest trouble, conceding possession and/or position allowing the hosts to attack again. They scored 2 mirror images tries from the back of 5m lineouts on the left then right side of the pitch to extend their lead 26-8.

For what seemed like ages Perthshire were in their own half, then eventually the tide turned and slowly the Black & White shirts advanced up the pitch and into the opposition half then 22. Numerous phases and attacks came to nothing, then a turnover was spun out by Strathmore to their winger who raced up to halfway. A series of offloads and quick rucks took them to the 5m line on the right corner, then worked back inside and the space opened up for a hard carry to burst over the line, 31-8.

Time was nearly up but Perthshire were not finished. From the restart Tom Colvin was highest and won the ball. Worked to the middle of the pitch the play was switched back and James Whyte found a hole to get in behind. Caught, he offloaded to Calum Chalmers who drew in the last defender before releasing winger Thomas Pounder to dive over in the corner. Calum Bruce made the conversion from the tightest of angles and the referee blew for fulltime, 31-15.

Definitely a better performance from the Eagles but plenty to work on. It’s an away derby again this Saturday as Perthshire travel down the M90 to Dunfermline and seek to make amends for a frustrating loss at the Inch to the Fifers earlier in the season.

Photos taken by Peter Wilkinson.

Perthshire 28 – 27 Murrayfield Wanderers

‘Shire survive late fightback to regain the Adam Pattinson Memorial Cup.

After the storms of recent weeks the rain paused and the sun shone on the North Inch. In still, bright conditions the second half of the league fixtures began. Perthshire frustrated sit second from bottom as they have let too many get away in the dying minutes. A large crowd assembled in anticipation of another close match between the two sides as they competed for the Adam Pattinson Memorial Cup.

Perthshire kicked off and over the 10m Tom Colvin jumped up high using all his height to gain control. The Black & White shirts surged forward, driven by a series of storming carries from Kieran Maclean. With the penalty advantage scrum half Lewis Murrie sniped down the side of the ruck getting in behind, then a series of short plays by the pack were completed by Ben Marshall barging over for a try. Calum Bruce added the extras, 7-0.

With their first attack Murrayfield Wanderers exploited a huge space on the blindside to cover 50m, the winger only stopped by a brilliant John Kelly cover tackle. Perthshire then went back up the pitch courtesy of Ross Goodison. Taking a quick penalty the players were too excited and spilt the ball in the tackle. Whether the tackler was back the 10m or not the referee waved play on and, on the counter, Murrayfield span it out to the other winger who chipped kick downfield and won the foot race to score an unconverted try.

The whole match was a fairly even affair, probing plays by both teams were not making much headway. Murrayfield tried a long kick and, without panic, Thomas Pounder dived first to save it at the try line then was aided by prompt support to clear. It was short-lived as a high tackle gifted Wanderers a lineout 5m out. A further penalty at the next play was taken quickly and they crossed the whitewash and kicked the points, 7-12.

‘Shire fired right back into it, Tom Colvin winning a penalty from the restart. Murrayfield this time infringed at the lineout in their 22 and the Eagles opted for the scrum. James Mair picked from the base was held but offloaded to Dan Rae who was repelled, just, by the defence. A few quick phases then a switch to the blind side and James Mair finished it with a try. Calum Bruce on target retook the lead for Perthshire, 14-12.

The momentum was with Perthshire but they struggled to finish it off. Promising runs and attacks by Aidan Watson, Laurence Knight and Ross Goodison were not backed up quickly enough. However, the penalty count was against Murrayfield and ‘Shire were given a few more attacking chances, Calum Bruce next to go close, losing the ball in the tackle as he went to score.

The ’Shire scrum was in ascendancy and after another series of opportunities missed, the pressure exerted held in the Wanderers pack. The ball sent out to the right, the forwards went round the corner a couple of times pulling across their opposite numbers, then Lewis Murrie switched the play back to John Kelly who came off his wing, hit a sweet line and muscled over. The angle was favourable for Calum Bruce to extend the lead further, 21-12.

The half ended with the Eagles under some pressure as Murrayfield sought to pull a score back before the break. Sufficient controlled aggression in defence, exemplified by Man of the Match Rhys Darlington, forced Wanderers into mistakes and the referee signalled for half time.

It was a reversal of the penalty count in the opening exchanges. Perthshire were surrendering territory and possession with poor decisions and numerous infringements. Eventually Aidan Watson broke the siege and ‘Shire sprinted after him. Some quick hands and offloads took the play into the 22, then the ball kicked for the chase. Wanderers got to it first but the referee returned for the penalty. However the following lineout was overthrown and Edinburgh team now started to work their way back.

Stretched the ‘Shire line was just holding then the referee sent Captain Calum Chalmers to the sin bin for what he judged a deliberate knock on. With the man advantage Wanderers opted for the scrum. Shell-shocked the defence was soft, as weak tackles allowed in a simple first phase try. Unconverted the lead was cut to less than a score, 21-17.

After a solid shift, Kieran Maclean, was replaced by Cameron Craig who came into a team gone soft and conceding easy metres in defence. Backpedalling the Black & White shirts were disorganised and things looked ominous. Until up stepped James Mair who jackaled to win a penalty and like a switch the belief returned to 14-man Perthshire who could tackle and defend again. Murrayfield were throwing what they could but with little to no inroads now, Vice-Captain Simon McGarry leading by example as his players rallied.

The 7-man scrum won a penalty and momentum was back with Perthshire. The bench came on welcoming AJ Guthrie, Aedan Milne and Adrian Venter to the action. Soon the 10 minutes were up and Calum Chalmers was back on too.

The ‘Shire attacks were making ground but with nothing to show for it. Changing tactic to exploit space tight to ruck, Lewis Murrie & James Mair were causing chaos in the Wanderers defence. The visitors erred too many times and had a player show yellow and sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes after repeated infringements.

Opting for the scrum the pack heaved forward, Rhys Darlington & Cameron Craig bettering their opposite props. Out to the backs, AJ Guthrie delayed the pass to Laurence Knight who got through and battled 2 attempted tacklers to score. Taking over the kicking duties AJ Guthrie converted, 28-17.

Recently ‘Shire have conspired to snatch defeat for the jaws of victory, while there were many on the sidelines hoping this would not happen, the penalty count mounted against the home team. Murrayfield, with only 14 men, used the penalties to get into the 22. Taking a quick tap, a bounce pass to the winger stalled the defence enough for some nifty footwork to dance through and touchdown out wide, unconverted there were just 6 points in it, 28-22.

With less than 10 minutes remaining ‘Shire were making it hard and constantly on the backfoot. Restored to 15, Wanderers seized their opportunities. Only a last gap James Mair effort to dive on a kick stopped another try. Losing patience the referee decided Lewis Murrie was offside once too often and shown yellow.

There were tired bodies on both sides but Murrayfield kept on pushing for the winning score. The Eagles were holding on but eventually the line was stretched too thin and breached. The conversion would take the lead, but the kick struck the post and ‘Shire were still in front, 28-27.

There were 2 minutes left, and the restart went short. Wanderers had the midfield scrum and the extra player. They got into the ‘Shire half and within range, but the discipline held and Adrian Venter seized the moment to pounce and win a ruck penalty.

Perthshire booted it down but then fluffed the lineout. This was compounded by a few more penalties and Murrayfield were back in ‘Shire territory. The final plays were desperate, Wanderers trying & probing everywhere, the Eagles tackling while trying to maintain iron discipline. Eventually with the 22 beckoning the ball was knocked on the referee consulted his watch and blew for full time.

Exhaustion from both sides was the main response. Even the supporters took a bit of time for their heart-rates to come down. Outscored by 5 tries to 4 it was the assured kicking of Calum Bruce & AJ Guthrie that was the difference. Having clapped their opponents off the pitch Perthshire gathered and Claire Pattinson presented Calum Chalmers with the Adam Pattinson Memorial Cup.

This was the last of 3 matches to conclude on the North Inch. In the earlier kick-off the Colts put up a strong fight but after an even first half were overrun by 10-50 by Melrose Wasps. The Eagles (2XV) lost 7-70, following numerous injuries the match ended up 12-a-side against Strathmore 2XV. The sole try scored by Hector Inglis, converted by Mikey Evans. Despite those results both teams put out full squads and player numbers have started to build.

Next week the Men’s teams are both away: the 1XV travel down to Stewartry; while the Eagles trip takes them to Bo’ness. These matches will be targeted for wins. Head Coach Smudge has plenty to build on and areas to tighten up as the teams seek to convert more opportunities into victories.

Photos taken by Football East Region.

Perthshire 27 – 30 North Berwick

‘Shire haul themselves into lead but stumble in the dying minutes.

Last week’s chastening defeat on the road hurt and the squad trained well and in good numbers for their return to the North Inch after weeks of flooding & waterlogging. The 1XV pitch still under water the Town pitch, repaired & lined by Niall Menzies at short notice, hosted what was a match of wild swings in performance and momentum.

Wet underfoot but with a clear sky Perthshire received the kick off. A few probing runs failed to make much ground before the ball was thrown away and North Berwick scooped it up. Now their turn to probe Perthshire, they too made minimal ground with consistent carries matched by the defence. However, ‘Shire erred and with a penalty advantage North Berwick played a bit wider, found a gap and burst through into the 22 and over the line for a converted try, 0-7.

Perthshire now took on the attack. A scrum in the 22 and No. 8 pick up edged closer; then a quick tap penalty moved further forward, before passing out to other wing where Dan Rae was stopped just short. A forward pass first then holding up a lineout maul reprieved North Berwick who cleared their lines.

At this lineout Perthshire fumbled the ball and were soon turned over. The North Berwick fly-half sensed his chance and chipped over the top; it was a foot race to the ball and as fullback Rory Bayne pulled his hamstring in the chase the visitors grabbed their second converted try.

With just 12 minutes on the clock North Berwick had their 3rd try. Straight from a scrum, a soft shoulder allowed the fly-half through again, the offload beating the last defender, 0-21.

Startled the North Inch crowd dreaded what could happen next, however, the players had other ideas. A promising attack started by Aidan Watson and continued by Laurence Knight brought ‘Shire deep into the opposition half. However, this opportunity was squandered with runners offside chasing a cross-field kick.

Back defending, Perthshire held out and put pressure on North Berwick eventually winning the turnover. Angus Walker particularly effective and Ben Marshall taking his opportunity to jackal. On the backfoot shortly afterwards these two again, aided by Calum Chalmers, gave no quarter to North Berwick.

John Kelly soon found the ball in his hands and with just enough space squeezed down the wing, but the would-be scoring offload eluded his support runner. A break from Ben Marshall, numerous forwards carries and another lineout maul all got ‘Shire right to the line; only to be undone by an obstruction.

North Berwick’s defence was holding and Perthshire mistakes were killing any momentum they built. Further forays made little progress. Then Aidan Watson added a spark with a scintillating counter-attack run down the right wing, his offload knocked on by the defence ‘Shire were awarded a scrum 7m out.

The ball was shipped from coast-to-coast and back again, Calum Bruce ran a loop to create the overlap but was held up to deny a try. Receiving the drop-out Perthshire built a few phases then Aidan Watson injected pace coming into the mid-field, clean through, he sucked the scramble defenders in, then whipped out a pass to Jack McIntosh who held his width to score in the corner for an unconverted try, 5-21.

The remainder of the half ended in chaotic manner as North Berwick tried to regain the momentum and Perthshire’s mistakes nearly cost them. However, the ball eventually went dead and all on the North Inch could catch their breath as the players regrouped for the second half.

Perthshire’s job was quite clear, in the next 40 minutes they needed to build and then convert their chances to wrestle control of the match. Kieran Maclean came on for Rhys Darlington in the front row, the only change the coaches made at the break.

The men in Black & White came out of the blocks flying. A lineout following a high tackle gave a decent attacking base. Taken cleanly, the ball was spread to the other side where Jack McIntosh chipped over his opposite winger. The defending fullback got to the ball first but the pressure from the onrushing ‘Shire forced him to slice it into touch on the 5m line.

Ross Goodison’s throw-in went to Tom Colvin and the forwards set the maul. It shunted forwards then stopped, a few backs came in to add a bit more shove and Ross Goodison controlled the ball at the back grounding to score, Calum Bruce added the extras, 12-21.

Perthshire were attacking with purpose and direction now. Strong running by John Kelly, Simon McGarry and Ben Marshall ate up the yards. Meanwhile, North Berwick were in all sorts of trouble conceding penalties under the cosh.

A ‘Shire lineout 8m out was again taken down into a maul. This rumbled to the line but was held short. Lewis Murrie released it to his backline and it zipped through the hands to reach John Kelly on the opposite wing who had the pace & power to dive over the in corner. Conversion missed from the tight angle, Perthshire were right back in it, 17-21.

North Berwick woke up and immediately responded after a soft penalty gifted them an easy 3 points from in front of the posts. They then cleared the restart with a 50:22 to ramp up the pressure further. Tom Colvin’s disruption work paid off and it was overthrown, Lewis Murrie reacted quickest and kicked clear.

Still Perthshire piled pressure on themselves knocking on in their own 22, but the forwards had gained supremacy in the scrum. North Berwick started going backwards and ‘Shire won a few penalties in the set piece and open play. The home side were slowly working up the pitch but seemingly unable to breach the 22. AJ Guthrie, now on for Calum Bruce, took an opportunity from 35m out to go for goal, but pushed it wide.

From the drop-out ‘Shire started building again from their own half. Around halfway the ball was sent out to Jack McIntosh on the wing; he danced down the touchline and held, and held, timing to perfection the delayed offload inside for Aidan Watson, who put on the after burners to cover 40m grounding the ball in the corner. The conversion by AJ Guthrie hit the cross bar and bounced over to level the match 24-24.

A high tackle around halfway gifted North Berwick a penalty to restore the lead but it fell short. Chasing the drop out, big hits by Dan Rae then Laurence Knight pushed the visitors back and forced them to knock on. The dominant ‘Shire scrum provided the platform for Aidan Watson & Jack McIntosh work together penetrating deep into opposition territory. Cameron Craig was on for Angus Walker and John Kelly left the field injured so Calum Buce returned to the action.

A wayward throw at a lineout set up a ‘Shire scrum 30m out. The pack won a penalty and Captain Calum Chalmers pointed to the posts. Showing no signs of pressure Calum Bruce slotted it to put Perthshire in the lead, 27-24. The crowd cheered, but knew there were 5 minutes left to see the game out.

Composure failed Perthshire, allowing North Berwick to reclaim the restart without contest then a few minutes later a high tackle by Calum Bruce saw the referee show him a Yellow card. The kick was in range for North Berwicks’s marksman and he made no mistake, 27-27.

There were 20s left of the match as Perthshire sent the restart deep. An intentional knock-on then offside penalties gave North Berwick the opportunity to attack and take it into range of the posts. Another penalty conceded and their man did it again, North Berwick converted from the tee to win 27-30 with the last kick of the match.

A sucker-punch, but Perthshire know this was all of their own making. An 80 minute performance is needed to win, Perthshire started and ended poorly, which cost them the match. However, they can take heart from the response to overhaul a 21 point deficit and get in the position to win. The next stage is to seize and defend the opportunities when they arise. The league is close this year with every team capable of beating the others. Luck and composure will need to turn for Perthshire as the second half of the fixtures approaches.

Can it start this coming Saturday? All are welcome to support Perthshire as they host Murrayfield Wanderers in the League and to contest the Adam Pattinson Memorial Cup. Kick off at 2pm, the Bowling Club will be open from 1pm.

The Eagles are also in action on the North Inch as they play Strathmore 2XV, also a 2pm kick-off. Last weekend away at Grangemouth 2XV tries by Thomas Pounder and Lewis Gray made a contest in the 34-14 defeat. This Saturday Coach Craig Manson will seek to build on the positive performances as they seek a home win.

Photographs taken by Ewan MacKessack-Leitch.