No Luck in Northumberland

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.