Greenock Freeze out Perthshire
A try from Scott Alcorn and a James Mair hattrick earn bonus point.
Greenock 49 – 24 Perthshire
The North Inch floodlights are back in working order, so for the first time this month the squad could train on a real grass pitch. A good atmosphere was felt at training and, though a tough opposition, Perthshire ran league toppers Greenock close in the season opener so there was confidence that ‘Shire could get something from the game.
Preparations didn’t start well. Most games in Scotland were called off due to the frost but Greenock insisted their pitch would be playable so the team set off. The bus missed the turn-off to collect Ross Dougan at Gleneagles so he had to run down the slip road to catch up. He had some choice words to share on boarding. Then once in Greenock the pitch was hard.
Discussions and reading of the rules between the team captains and match officials over-shadowed the truncated warm-up. The referee felt the pitch was “marginal, but manageable” to play and Greenock were determined to have the game. It was a call for Perthshire to make, Club Captain Ewan MacKessack-Leitch was all for postponing citing safety of his players. However, after intense discussion between the players and sage words from injured Captain Ryan Miller (yes, he played a full 80 minutes with a broken finger last week but is now in a cast and out for 6 weeks), Mat Rae made the call and the game would go ahead. ‘Shire were annoyed at being put in that positions but determined to put 100% in.
It started brightly, Perthshire received the kick-off and took it to Greenock. After a few carries, Adam Dearden sent up a high ball, Greenock failed to take it and it was collected by Scott Alcorn. He spun round before flicking the ball on to James Mair to score. Jonny Armitt made the conversion and it was 0-7 within a couple of minutes.
From the restart Perthshire again put good pressure on the kick and held Greenock in their half. However, after a couple of phases holes would appear in the ‘Shire defence which Greenock ruthlessly exploited. Soon they were in the Perthshire 22 and it didn’t take long before they crashed over for a try.
The remainder of the first half followed a similar pattern as Greenock scored another 5 tries before the break. Good pressure by Perthshire was undone by weak tackling or slow line-speed allowing Greenock easy metres. On the back-foot Perthshire would valiantly try to hold up the home team but it was too easy for the hosts.
When in attack, Perthshire weren’t patient enough or were too predictable. Daring & forceful runs from the Rae brothers in the centre or the back 3 of Jonny Armitt, Scott Alcorn & Ross Goodison came to nothing as support was too slow. Greenock would soak up a few tackles then win a turnover or force a mistake. On the retreat Perthshire too often gave the possession and territory away cheaply. On the plus side the scrums & lineouts were a major strength with Perthshire dominant in both.
Captain Mat Rae had words with his team and changed the target. Down 34-7 at half time ‘Shire aimed for another 3 tries to wrestle at least a point from the match. Perthshire came out the blocks in the second half a changed team. Aggressive, assertive and decisive, Greenock were suddenly under the cosh. The scrum and lineout dominance were paying dividends as the game was played for long periods in the Greenock 22. Eventually the penalty count was too high and Greenock were reduced to 14 men for 10 minutes. From the ensuing scrum, fly half Adam Dearden picked Mat Rae who took the ball at pace bursting down the middle of the pitch. Hauled down just short, James Mair quickly picked up the ball and spotted a gap round the ruck and dotted over for his second try. Jonny Armitt added the extras. Perthshire, with urgency than they’ve not shown most of the season, claimed the restart and with a clever kick put Greenock in all sorts of bother. Ali Nisbet got low and won a ruck penalty allowing Perthshire a lineout just outside the Greenock 22.
As he did all day, Ross Dougan found his man and the ball went out to the backs where Jonny Armitt picked a sweet line to get deep within the 22. A couple of short phases followed then Adam Dearden spotted a large gap, called for the ball to switch direction and lined up James Mair for a 1 on 1 with the fullback. Two tries already to his name James Mair made no mistake and took his hat-trick. The game swung back in Greenock’s favour as they were restored to 15 men. The mistakes from the first half crept back into Perthshire and they conceded two softish tries. Then in a blow to the men in Black & White, Dan Rae went down with his knee injured. This is a real concern for the coaching team and hopefully it won’t be too serious. As time ticked away, the pitch was hardening and sun was getting lower in the sky, but Perthshire still needed another try. From about halfway the trusty lineout provided good possession and leading by example Mat Rae again powered into the Greenock 22. The forwards then carried and were grinding down the defence. When the time was right Jack McIntosh retook control of the ruck and released the back line, Scott Alcorn on the wing the final recipient who sprinted down the touchline and danced past 2 defenders to score out wide. The conversion was missed but the try bonus secured.
Bizarrely, Greenock were awarded a penalty at the restart following some “ungentlemanly language” uttered from the lips of a Perthshire player. The home team took the lineout and worked well to score in the final minute. There was time for the restart but it went to touch and the final whistle blew, Greenock 49 – 24 Perthshire. The bonus point secured could prove crucial in the final standings and Perthshire can be pleased to have taken something from the match against the league leaders. There was real character shown but also there must be frustration. Perthshire have shown they can match the best in the league for long periods, but the results don’t show that. A step forward and notable performances from Ewen MacDonald, Ross Dougan, Jonny Armitt and of course James Mair. It was also pleasing to have the vocal support of Callum Croughan from the side-lines, even if he didn’t make it on to the pitch (this time). Next week the North Inch hosts Ardrossan who put 114 unanswered points past Caithness in the only other fixture that was played on Saturday. If Perthshire deliver a complete 80 minute performance, with the composure and fight they showed in the second half, then an upset could be on the cards. All supporters are encouraged to come to the North Inch for the final home match of 2019, kick-off 2pm. The 2XV match against Bannockburn fell victim to the frost, but next week they will return to action with a visit to Panmure for a friendly.
From the restart Perthshire again put good pressure on the kick and held Greenock in their half. However, after a couple of phases holes would appear in the ‘Shire defence which Greenock ruthlessly exploited. Soon they were in the Perthshire 22 and it didn’t take long before they crashed over for a try.
The remainder of the first half followed a similar pattern as Greenock scored another 5 tries before the break. Good pressure by Perthshire was undone by weak tackling or slow line-speed allowing Greenock easy metres. On the back-foot Perthshire would valiantly try to hold up the home team but it was too easy for the hosts.
When in attack, Perthshire weren’t patient enough or were too predictable. Daring & forceful runs from the Rae brothers in the centre or the back 3 of Jonny Armitt, Scott Alcorn & Ross Goodison came to nothing as support was too slow. Greenock would soak up a few tackles then win a turnover or force a mistake. On the retreat Perthshire too often gave the possession and territory away cheaply. On the plus side the scrums & lineouts were a major strength with Perthshire dominant in both.Captain Mat Rae had words with his team and changed the target. Down 34-7 at half time ‘Shire aimed for another 3 tries to wrestle at least a point from the match. Perthshire came out the blocks in the second half a changed team. Aggressive, assertive and decisive, Greenock were suddenly under the cosh. The scrum and lineout dominance were paying dividends as the game was played for long periods in the Greenock 22. Eventually the penalty count was too high and Greenock were reduced to 14 men for 10 minutes. From the ensuing scrum, fly half Adam Dearden picked Mat Rae who took the ball at pace bursting down the middle of the pitch. Hauled down just short, James Mair quickly picked up the ball and spotted a gap round the ruck and dotted over for his second try. Jonny Armitt added the extras. Perthshire, with urgency than they’ve not shown most of the season, claimed the restart and with a clever kick put Greenock in all sorts of bother. Ali Nisbet got low and won a ruck penalty allowing Perthshire a lineout just outside the Greenock 22.
As he did all day, Ross Dougan found his man and the ball went out to the backs where Jonny Armitt picked a sweet line to get deep within the 22. A couple of short phases followed then Adam Dearden spotted a large gap, called for the ball to switch direction and lined up James Mair for a 1 on 1 with the fullback. Two tries already to his name James Mair made no mistake and took his hat-trick. The game swung back in Greenock’s favour as they were restored to 15 men. The mistakes from the first half crept back into Perthshire and they conceded two softish tries. Then in a blow to the men in Black & White, Dan Rae went down with his knee injured. This is a real concern for the coaching team and hopefully it won’t be too serious. As time ticked away, the pitch was hardening and sun was getting lower in the sky, but Perthshire still needed another try. From about halfway the trusty lineout provided good possession and leading by example Mat Rae again powered into the Greenock 22. The forwards then carried and were grinding down the defence. When the time was right Jack McIntosh retook control of the ruck and released the back line, Scott Alcorn on the wing the final recipient who sprinted down the touchline and danced past 2 defenders to score out wide. The conversion was missed but the try bonus secured.
Bizarrely, Greenock were awarded a penalty at the restart following some “ungentlemanly language” uttered from the lips of a Perthshire player. The home team took the lineout and worked well to score in the final minute. There was time for the restart but it went to touch and the final whistle blew, Greenock 49 – 24 Perthshire. The bonus point secured could prove crucial in the final standings and Perthshire can be pleased to have taken something from the match against the league leaders. There was real character shown but also there must be frustration. Perthshire have shown they can match the best in the league for long periods, but the results don’t show that. A step forward and notable performances from Ewen MacDonald, Ross Dougan, Jonny Armitt and of course James Mair. It was also pleasing to have the vocal support of Callum Croughan from the side-lines, even if he didn’t make it on to the pitch (this time). Next week the North Inch hosts Ardrossan who put 114 unanswered points past Caithness in the only other fixture that was played on Saturday. If Perthshire deliver a complete 80 minute performance, with the composure and fight they showed in the second half, then an upset could be on the cards. All supporters are encouraged to come to the North Inch for the final home match of 2019, kick-off 2pm. The 2XV match against Bannockburn fell victim to the frost, but next week they will return to action with a visit to Panmure for a friendly.
Perthshire Rugby
