Positive Perthshire Punish Greenock

Perthshire 43 – 22 Greenock Wanderers

With over 40 players training in midweek, the Shire coaches were in upbeat mood prior to this crucial match versus Greenock. The impending league restructuring next season means that only one team will gain promotion but the bottom six will be relegated to the new National League Div 4 and everyone at the club is dedicated to avoiding this.

Seldom has a Shire side been as fired up at the start of a game as this group of players and within a few minutes of Greenock kicking off, the Eagles shot to a 7-point lead. Following a penalty, the forwards drove strongly to the Greenock line and 2nd row Angus Walker claimed the try when he was driven over. Aidan Watson converted for the extra points. Greenock refused to lie down though and only some excellent defence from the Eagles stopped them building up any momentum with James Mair, Callum Chalmers and Matt Jenns in the back row putting in some thumping tackles. Shire’s front row of Darlington, Magill and Macdonald were putting a power of effort into the scrums and after pushing Greenock off the ball, it was quickly moved out and James Mair, following up from Number 8 scooped the ball up and powered over. Watson again adding the conversion.

Greenock hit back immediately, and some good play led to a converted penalty to reduce the deficit. Tempers flared up and a few scraps took place before the referee stepped in to calm things down. Once again Shire’s scrum pushed Greenock backwards but their dynamic scrum half Jonathan Murray retrieved the ball from the retreating scrum and sent their young winger scampering up the blind side for an excellent try, but one, which in all honesty, should not have been conceded. Perthshire responded with some strong running by Dan Rae and the forwards to put Greenock on the back foot but too many attacks broke down. Greenock missed touch with a penalty and the ball was collected by Aidan Watson who showed his acceleration and jinking sidesteps as he zig zagged ¾ of the pitch to score an amazing individual try.

Greenock never once sat back though and they peppered the Shire line trying to break through and were held up over the line on several occasions as Shire’s defence stood firm. Greenock suffered a yellow card for a deliberate knock on but they responded with a repeat of their previous try when Murray sent Garrity up the blind again and the young winger collected his 2nd try to show that Greenock were every bit up for the win as Shire were. Not to be outdone by all these individual tries, Shire’s scrum half Jack McIntosh collected a loose ball in his own half and weaved through despairing tackles for a splendid try and a bonus point for the Eagles on the stroke of half time to lead 26-15 at the break.

Perthshire were on fire now against the 14-man Greenock team and a clever switch of play saw young centre Rory Bayne on a strong run up the blind to finish with a flourish to the delight of the home support. Perthshire continued to batter the visiting defence but all too often the moves broke down with dropped balls or loose passes. Dan Rae made a spectacular tackle to rob Greenock and soon afterwards Jonny Armitt saved a certain try when he flattened the flying Murray. With William Campbell sin binned for a high tackle the game hit a lull for a while but came back to life when Mat Rae hit a monstrous kick up to the Greenock 5 metre line and after stealing the line out, Shire drove over for a try scored by the returning William Campbell.

A rejuvenated Perthshire finished strongly as Greenock were again reduced to 14 men and Armitt was held short but the ball was quickly recycled to Gavin Hegarty who swivelled over for try number 7. Matt Jenns was next in line for the yellow card and Greenock took advantage at the end of the game when Murray scored a well deserved try but Shire ran out deserved winners by 43 points to 22.

This was a very bright and encouraging display by Shire who now face a tricky away trip to Bishopbriggs to play newly promoted Allan Glens FP. Perthshire still have many of their stars on the injured list, but this squad is capable of winning games and a big part can be played by supporters who not only come down to the North Inch but travel with the team to give them the encouragement they deserve. There is always plenty of space on the team bus and everyone will be made most welcome.

Photos taken by Peter Wilkinson.