Outscored but not Overcome

Perthshire 7 – 36 Allan Glen’s

Perthshire battle but unable to capitalise on opportunities.

Despite the cold there was a good crowd down at the North Inch to support the 1XV in their first home match of 2023. Buoyed by a win away to Greenock last week, the Eagles were aiming to make it 2 in a row. Allan Glen’s sit near the top of the table so it was a good chance to measure progress from the defeat in Bishopbriggs a the beginning of the League season.

The home team kicked off and were immediately under pressure as Allan Glen’s brought their running & offloading game. The ‘Shire defence held on the line and forced a knock on to relieve the immediate danger. A brief foray into the other half followed but Allan Glen’s soon turned it over and on the front foot managed to work up the pitch to score under the posts.

For the next 10 minutes it was Perthshire’s game. Tackles from Calum Chalmers & Ross Goodison stopped dead any Allan Glen’s attack. James Mair & Angus Walker were securing rucks and winning penalties; and Aidan Watson was good with the boot to make the territory. However, the lineouts faltered gifting Allan Glen’s some easy escapes.

The scrum was a different matter, the Perth men with the upper hand all game. Calum Chalmers had a surging run to set up a strong attack from midfield and ‘Shire looked to be building momentum towards the line. Allan Glen’s took advantage of some slow support to turnover in their own half; and, with some direct running and offloads, a break through the centre took them the distance to score a second converted try, 0-14.

There was more consistent Perthshire pressure, slowly and patiently grinding the way in to the visitors’ 22. Each time the final pass was inaccurate or support too slow and the Allan Glen’s line was not breached. After a few near strikes, Simon McGarry and Dan Rae both inches short of the whitewash, Glen’s won possession back and their fullback ran most of the way before the cover could reach him, the offload was good to make it a third try under the posts, 0-21.

Halftime came with no more scores but plenty of intent until the whistle. Perthshire had Allan Glen’s in all sorts of bother, the lineout was back working, scrums pushing forward but still ‘Shire were repelled on the line.

The second half started just as the rain came on and wind got up. The next 20 minutes was a tight affair. Perthshire were barging their way up the pitch, but still to no avail. On the counter, a direct run from Allan Glen’s saw them cross for an unconverted try and the bonus point, 0-26.

The match became a war of attrition. Ferocious defence kept it in the midfield, again Calum Chalmers & Ross Goodison led the way with the tackles while forward carries by Ewen MacDonald, James Mair and Dan Rae would earn hard yards.

Come the final quarter the rain lifted and ‘Shire had an attacking lineout within the 22. Taken cleanly by Tom Colvin, the maul set and rumbled up to within 3m. Stopped, a series of short picks again just missed despite the efforts of Mat Rae & Simon McGarry who both went incredibly close.

Allan Glen’s escaped and upped the tempo. On the front foot, they rolled ‘Shire backwards in defence and struck under the posts seizing the opportunity when it came, 0-33.

With less than 10 minutes to go and the full bench on ‘Shire got their try. Aidan Watson moved to 9 and spotted a gap to break clear from around the back of the lineout. Getting quick ball he brought the forwards in to hammer the line. Allan Glen’s infringed and with the advantage the ball went to the back line, but Glen’s defended it and ‘Shire returned for a penalty scrum.

This went forward and nearly every player in the team seemed to have a go to cross the line before James Mair squeezed it over at the post. Jonny Armitt took the conversion quickly, 7-33. Perthshire were looking to get a second score but Allan Glen’s had different ideas, they slowed and controlled the ball, winning a penalty in the final minute which they kicked over to end the match, 7-36.

This was an 80 minute performance from Perthshire and each player knows they gave their all but has areas to improve upon. Coaches Alan Clark and Kenny Christie will use the week ahead to address these before ‘Shire travel to Newton Mearns and seek to amend the agonising 2 point defeat by Whitecraigs on the North Inch in October.

Flooding in Dunfermline cancelled the 2s fixture so the team have to wait to next week to start 2023, with a home match against Bannockburn. Kick-off is 2pm, supporters welcome to cheer on the 2XV and join them in the Bowling Club after.

Photos taken by Peter Wilkinson.