Opportunities Missed and Penalties Paid
Perthshire 12 – 24 Stewartry
Eagles fail to capitalise from promising positions.
It was an unusually hot September afternoon when National League 4 rugby came to the North Inch. A big crowd arrived to watch a close and determined match. Such was the weather the referee agreed to schedule water-breaks to allow players to rehydrate.
Perthshire kicked off and were clearly up for it, Simon McGarry winning a penalty at the first ruck as Stewartry were guilty of holding on. Soon after with more pressure, and following powerful runs by Kieran Ramsay and Calum Chalmers, Aidan Watson darted over after a quick recycle to open the scoring within 3 minutes of the start and converted his try.
Stewartry with their first real possession struck back and won a penalty which was duly kicked over to narrow the gap, 7-3. The Eagles then ran it right back at the Castle Douglas team with bursts from John Kelly and Dan Rae making inroads, forcing the defence to concede a penalty. The chance was lost when the ensuing lineout throw was judged “not straight.”
The visitors worked their way back up the pitch and seemed to be through on a couple of occasions. Only the excellent cover tackles of Tom Colvin then Ben Marshall stopped them and allowed ‘Shire to regroup. The defence held but in doing so came offside and Stewartry opted to take the penalty kick at goal, to narrow the gap to 1 point.
Perthshire spent most of the next 10 minutes defending & tackling relentlessly. Stewartry progressed slowly but could not get past. A turnover won and Perthshire built phases from their own half but the ball was kicked away and Stewartry ran it back winning another penalty. This went wide of the posts.
The next Perthshire attack came following a neat inside offload from Aidan Watson, centre Kieran Ramsay came storming onto the ball brushing aside defenders and into space, he was hauled down short of the 22. Perthshire flooded through but Stewartry fronted up in defence and ‘Shire knocked on, ending the attack.
The visitors now ran it straight back from the scrum with strong direct runs penetrating deep into 22. More ferocious ‘Shire defence held them up but eventually the men in Black & White were outnumbered on right wing and Stewartry dotted down for a converted try.
It was end-to-end, as Perthshire were now back into Stewartry territory. From a scrum they won a penalty but Aidan Watson pushed his effort wide. The drop out was kicked deep into Perthshire’s half who built a solid platform then cleared. Despite the obvious bounce in the field of play, the linesman was convinced to declare the clearance straight out, bringing the lineout level to where the kick was made.
Perthshire maybe switched off, frustrated by this injustice, but Stewartry took their chance and manoeuvred the ball to the wing where soft ‘Shire shoulders allowed the attack round the edge and into the wide channel for an unconverted try.
Almost immediately ‘Shire added to their woes trying too hard and gifting a penalty in front of the posts 40m out. Good with his boot all day, the Stewartry kicker slotted it as half-time struck, 7-21.
Changes made at the break saw Calum MacDonald come on for John Kelly and a positional switch for Lewis Murrie with Jack McIntosh from scrum half to wing & vice versa. Instantly though ‘Shire were back to defending. It was brutal, Stewartry hammering away short and wide but the Black & White line held firm. Then the turnover came and the siege was lifted.
Now Perthshire were on the front foot. Stewartry tried to clear but receiving the kick Aidan Watson revved up the pace and found the gap. Stopped, ‘Shire recycled and kicked the ball through. In the foot race Stewartry got there first but the swarm of Perthshire players won penalty. After lining up the runners, Perthshire tapped the penalty and within 2 phases, James Mair had bashed his way through to score in the corner. The conversion missed to make it 12-21.
The game slowed down as both teams got stuck in the midfield no man’s land; unable to penetrate through the defences. Perthshire squandered chances forcing plays with knock-ons or runners getting isolated. Meanwhile over-eager defence conceded ruck penalties pushing them back further.
Later substitutions saw James Mair & Ben Marshall make way for Adrian Venter & Shaun Barton. Both added renewed energy to Perthshire but Stewartry seemed content to hold on to the ball and frustrate any Perthshire momentum. A kickable penalty came the visitor’s way which was taken to extend the lead, 12-24.
The intensity remained but the match petered out neither side able to get the upper hand. When the referee blew for full time ‘Shire knew they let this one get away. Decision making and skills at crucial moments killed momentum. The defence was mostly solid and cover tackles showed a real determination. With 2 tries apiece it was the 4 penalties Stewartry scored that made the difference.
Nothing that cannot be fixed, composure and further improvements in discipline will right this. Perthshire will look to put these right when Dunfermline visit this weekend. A few years have passed since the last time this derby was played between the 1XV of each club.
The 2XV meanwhile opened their Caledonia Midlands League 3 campaign against Grangemouth 2XV. Due to holidays and other commitments the 2s were short of players but not short of energy nor enthusiasm. A spirited display under Game On rules saw them claim a try bonus point thanks to scores from Bruce Campbell, Rab Pittendreigh x2 and Mat Rae in their 24-50 defeat.
Saturday will be a big weekend of rugby at the North Inch with 3 home matches at all once! Kicking off at 2pm the Colt’s face Dunfermline before the respective 1XVs face each other at 3pm. The 2s are in action too, hosting Bo’ness also at 3pm. With the Bowling Club closed, post-match will be held at the Masonic Lodge, 5 Atholl Crescent. All welcome to come down to support the ‘Shire!
