Job Done and More to Come
Perthshire 27 – 22 Murrayfield Wanderers
Perthshire edge thrilling preseason contest to hold the Adam Pattinson Memorial Cup.
August means a new season is fast approaching and Perthshire’s men were ready to test the work done in preseason. New Head Coach Dave Nowell-Cook, was keen to see what his players could do in their team and individual performances as he looks to build a positive culture to take on Caledonia Regional League 1. Heartened by the Eagles (2XV) win just before (see match report below) the 1XV had the task of Murrayfield Wanderers. There was no time to ease in as the Adam Pattinson Memorial Cup was on the line and Perthshire were determined to retain it after the 1 point victory claimed it last season.
Perthshire kicked off and their aggressive defence soon won a penalty with the kick taking the lineout to the 22. Cleanly taken, a series of quick hands along the backs, then fast rucking by the forwards, made inroads and a high tackle penalty brought ‘Shire up to the 5m line. This lineout was also won and after a few phases the ball was sent to the other side of the pitch for Dan Rae to crash over for the opening unconverted try, 5-0.
The next 10 minutes were pretty even, both sides playing hard but neither getting the breakthrough. Murrayfield started to gain the upper hand and momentum shifted their way. Some good defence, led by Simon McGarry and Dan Rae, saved ‘Shire on few occasions but it became too much, as the penalty count rose, the home team couldn’t hold out any longer and Wanderers squeezed over in the corner to level, 5-5.
Still with momentum the Edinburgh team went looking for a second try. Angus Walker had other ideas and won a crucial turnover which allowed Perthshire to kick deep into the Wanderers’ half. For the first time the ‘Shire lineout malfunctioned and Murrayfield seized the loose ball and surged right up to the 22. A penalty gave them the platform and within a disorganised Perthshire defence, despite a terrific effort by Shaun Barton, Murrayfield took the lead with a converted try, 5-12 as the referee blew for half time.
Whatever David Nowell-Cook and Captain Calum Chalmers said at the break worked. The men in Black & White came out into the second half firing. Newly on the pitch, winger Rabson Chipakupaku chased a kick down the right wing and took possession deep in the 22. The forwards were there in numbers and after a few tight phases the overlap was engineered with the ball going through the hands to Laurence Knight who rounded the final defender scoring in the left corner. AJ Guthrie struck the conversion well to level the match, 12-12.
Perthshire continued to put together quality plays and make decent attacks but mistakes would relieve the Murrayfield defence. Returning after nearly a season out injured, scrumhalf Andrew Sanderson was sharp to any gap round the ruck. He saw one taking the ball over the halfway before offloading to Aidan Watson, who’s pace got through the disjointed Murrayfield shirts and then offloaded to Shaun Barton who took it on further. A knock on ended the attack but fired up, Perthshire regained possession after forcing Wanderers into touch straight off the back of the scrum.
From the lineout ‘Shire kept it in the forwards, the maul surged then a couple of tight picks saw Calum Chalmers make the final inch and cross the whitewash. AJ Guthrie again adding the extras from a difficult angle 19-12.
The match continued to be played in fast and exciting manner. A huge tackle from new cap Ian Kerr lifted the home crowd further. However, Murrayfield were by no means out and taking advantage of a ‘Shire mistake retook the ball. Noticing a mismatch, the centre carved through the midfield and only a last gasp tackle by Ollie Martins Da Silva stopped the try. Infringing to slow the ball down, Perthshire were penalised and Wanderers took the momentum with a quick tap to score, the conversion drifting wide.
Moments later the Murrayfield 12 found the same midfield space again and sliced through in behind the home defence. A series offloads and quick rucks engineered a huge overlap on the right which was exploited to take the lead. Missing the conversion, it was now 3 points in the visitors’ favour, 19-22.
Without panic Perthshire took their next opportunity running it back into the Murrayfield half and winning a penalty. After some debate the decision to go for goal was rewarded as AJ Guthrie landed the kick to draw level, 22-22.
The match was nearing the final minutes as ‘Shire received the restart and again ran it back. A penalty allowed the Black & White players to create a platform and from the lineout the ball was sent to the right wing where Ollie Martins Da Silva made a dart to the line before he was stopped by a high tackle. The penalty kicked to the corner, the forwards needed no second invitation, Ross Goodison hit his man then got to the back of the maul and steered it as he dived over to take a well deserved team try. The fulltime whistle blew as the conversion fell short, Perthshire the winners, 27-22.
Retaining the Adam Pattinson Memorial Cup was the main aim and so Perthshire can be pleased they have opened with a victory. Coaches David Nowell-Cook and Sarah Hogwood have plenty of positives to build on and areas to address ahead of next week’s friendly against Dunfermline at McKane Park.
The squad renewal is making progress and there’s still time for players new and old to join us and help in the upcoming league campaign. Please contact senior@perthshire-rfc.co.uk for more information. New and returning players welcome – if you’re thinking about playing rugby then we need you! Training is at 6:30pm every Tuesday and Thursday at the North Inch.
Photographs taken by Peter Wilkinson.
“Barton-Da Silva” Double Triple Whammy
Perthshire Eagles 39 – 26 Arbroath
Hattricks from both Shaun Barton and Ollie Martins Da Silva earn Eagles preseason win.
Ahead of the Adam Pattinson Memorial Cup the Eagles (2XV) welcomed Arbroath to the North Inch to start the rugby for the Senior Section in 2024-25. The Angus team have reformed and will play in the same league so were a good first test for newly appointed coach David Hutchison’s team.
The first half opened with ‘Shire mostly defending and holding up well. Both teams were putting together phases but a dropped pass or lack of support was stopping any momentum building. A counterattack sparked by a Will Campbell as he seized a turnover saw the prop beat 3 defenders before offloading to Ollie Martins Da Silva to take his first try of the match.
Minutes later after a quick lineout ‘Shire were back over the line but were held up twice before Arbroath eventually managed to clear. The match slowed down before the ‘Shire scrum won a ball against the head and Ollie Martins Da Silva, at scrumhalf, danced through a disorganised Arbroath to score again, Rab Pittendreigh’s conversion attempt hitting the post.
The Eagles tried a few different attacks but these were repelled by Arbroath. Maybe getting a bit too into the defence, a late & high hit on Hector Inglis by the visiting fullback gave the referee no option but to show a red card. Shaun Barton then crashed over from the tap penalty to take a 15-0 lead.
Jamie Yellowley, on his Senior debut, spotted a gap to take the next try after some more pressure kept Arbroath in their own half. This spurred the Angus team into action and with a but of sustained pressure and simple one hit plays managed to pull a try back, 20-7.
Perthshire’s response was immediate. Again the spark was Will Campbell who sprinted unchallenged into the 22. Stopped illegally, a quick tap penalty with carries from Jamie Yellowley & Shaun Barton sucked in defenders and Ollie Martins Da Silva took possession at the ruck base then beat the first defender and raced in for a try converted by Peter Cowen as halftime arrived, 27-7.
The Eagles were caught off-guard when the second half began. Arbroath attacked with strong runners and some soft tackles allowed them the time and field position to take 2 tries and narrow the gap to 27-19.
Perthshire revived after Ross Gourlay stripped the ball and ran it deep into the Arbroath half. With a scrum under posts 5m out, playing No. 8, Shaun Barton picked from the base and no-one could stop him for his second try which Peter Cowen converted, 34-19.
The game slowed down as both teams tired. As the final quarter got underway Will Campbell took a well deserved try in the corner after sprinting 30m and wrestling off a tackler to roll over line. Arbroath then exploited a series of defensive errors to close the gap as the final whistle drew near, 34-26.
In the final play sustained pressure from the Eagles earnt Shaun Barton his third try after series of short plays saw the forwards unstoppably heading towards the crossing the try line. Peter Cowen kicked the extra 2 points to end the match 39-26.
A strong start for the Eagles with notably impressive debuts by Sam Hutchison, Jamie Yellowly & Ollie Martins Da Silva; and welcome returns for Gary McEwen, Peter Cowen and James Marley. Plenty for David Hutchison’s team to work on as they look to make a real impact and build squad numbers in Caledonia Midlands League 3.
There’s still time for players new and old to join us and help in the upcoming league campaign, contact senior@perthshire-rfc.co.uk for more information. New and returning players welcome – if you’re thinking about playing rugby then we need you! Training is at 6:30pm every Tuesday and Thursday at the North Inch.
Photographs taken by Ewan MacKessack-Leitch.
