Bonus Point in Adversity

Perthshire 28 – 56 Garnock

Perthshire score 4 tries against runaway league leaders.

Perthshire’s first match at the North Inch in 2024 started with both oppositions joining the 1XV & Eagles lining up for a minute’s silence to remember Club legends and members who have passed away over the last month: George Clunie, Eleanor O’Driscoll, Gilmour McFarlane and Bob Loudon. The rugby played out was in good nature and competitive to the end, a great tribute to our friends recently departed.

The 1XV received the kick with James Mair claiming it, he was taken out in the air, the referee awarding a penalty. The wind was blowing hard across the pitch making kicking and lineout throws unpredictable for the whole match. Perthshire won their first lineout but dropped the ball soon after to allow Garnock their opening attack.

The North Ayrshire men are hard runners and broke off the scrum getting in behind. Forced to front up ‘Shire rallied, with a series of ruck penalties won by Calum Chalmers relieving the pressure; earning ‘Shire a good attacking position.

The wind took the lineout away and Garnock kicked to clear but found fullback Aidan Watson who, ran it back with electrifying pace and deft footwork to regain the initiative. Fast plays brought ‘Shire into the 22 before Garnock stalled then illegally halted the play. Taking a penalty scrum in front of the posts, scrumhalf Lewis Murrie had options either side and delivered a perfect pass to Rory Bayne who dummied then rounded his opposite man to go in under the posts. Calum Bruce converting to open a 7-0 lead.

Garnock hit back minutes later taking good field position following a high-tackle penalty. The ball was sent one side then back stretching the defence, a quick pick from an unguarded ruck allowed the No. 8 to go clear and cover 15m for a converted try.

Aidan Watson found space again, this time with a clearance kick which was perfect for Thomas Pounder to chase, winning a penalty just outside the 22 as he caught Garnock who held on. Unfortunately the opportunity went as the lineout was lost.

The league leaders showed why they are undefeated 12 from 12 and took their opportunities with 2 quick tries. Another promising ‘Shire attack, started with solid carries by James Mair backed up by Ben Marshall, was turned over. On the counter, a kick though was collected by the Garnock centre who won the race to the line. Some further direct hard running in the next minutes saw them extend the lead, 7-21.

The half was nearly over and Perthshire again did the hard work. Building the pressure over multiple phases the men in Black & White could only get so far before Garnock blunted the momentum. The visitors then turned it over and nearly went on to score again.

Returning for the penalty Garnock missed touch thanks to excellent footballing skills from winger Jonathan Venter (making an impressive 1XV debut) to keep it in with his feet then followed up to regather and dance his way just short of the 22. Garnock infringed at the breakdown and with no hesitation Ross Goodison took it quickly and burst another 15m up field before getting hauled down by the backpedalling Garnock. The ball was spun out though the hands to Aidan Watson who sprinted up and through a gap, held by one hand he offloaded to Rory Bayne who drew in more defenders and crossed the halfway line. Caught, he delivered the ball out the back to John Kelly who burst past the fullback then rocketed the remaining 40m untouched to score between the sticks. What a try! Calum Bruce converted to bring it to 14-21 as the referee blew for halftime.

The second half start stunned Garnock who dropped the kick off. Perthshire now in possession immediately carried with purpose. The ball went out to the other wing then a solid carry by Rhys Darlington in field took in 2 tacklers. In support Ross Goodison picked from the base and went through the gap at the back of the ruck. With 25m to the line, the Garnock fullback could only get a fingertip to him as he dived over. Striking the difficult conversion Calum Bruce levelled it, 21-21.

Garnock fired up and tried to hit back. Some heavy hard runs came into Perthshire but the Black & White wall soaked it up, Calum Chalmers & Simon McGarry chief amongst the tacklers. A Rory Bayne interception relieved the assault then Aidan Watson kicked clear and won a turnover chasing the ball down. The lineout maul won another penalty and this took ‘Shire into the 22. However this was overthrown and the attack ended.

Now Garnock again, patient and determined, worked their way into ‘Shire territory. The momentum swung their way. At the second attempt a lineout maul 5m out crossed the line. Within a few more plays, despite heroic efforts of Dan Rae & Kieran Maclean, they were over again as powerful, not pretty, rugby saw the Ayrshire team cross, 21-35.

With high tackle penalties creeping in ‘Shire were under their own posts for a third time in quick succession as simple forceful runs from Garnock allowed them to hammer the line before bludgeoning over, 21-42.

The substitutes came on: Mat Rae, Will Campbell and Lewis Gray adding energy to ‘Shire as they replaced tired bodies. This helped even things up but some quality offloading from Garnock took them all the way up the pitch to add another converted try, 21-49.

Tom Whamond now came off the bench and made an immediate impact with solid tackles and breakdown work. Perthshire continued to believe and knew one more try would secure a bonus point.

Following an offside penalty ‘Shire took the lineout and played it to the front. Having sucked in the hooker there was a clear 5m blindside which Lewis Murrie spotted and from the base of the ruck covered the 35m to score down the tramlines, shrugging of the desperate tackle of the covering fullback. Despite the wind and tight angle Calum Bruce kept his 100% record with the boot.

In the remaining minutes both teams upped the quality further and played really positive entertaining rugby as they tested their own skills and oppositions’ defence. Lewi Murrie and Ross Goodison making promising breaks. However, it was Garnock who secured their 8th try as their hard running centre broke through, 28-56.

In the final play Perthshire took the ball all the way back to Garnock, the match ending as after a sustained assault ‘Shire were tackled into touch on the try line.

Perthshire can be proud of their performance, Garnock are clear favourites for promotion and have the best defence in the league conceding an average of 11 points per match. To score 28 against them shows that a positive Perthshire can perform at this level. New players like Jonathan Venter & Lewis Gray are adding excitement to the squad while the established players like Dan Rae & (Man-of the-Match) Ross Goodison are playing at their best and bringing on the teammates.

Next week is the return Tour to Pontarddulais followed by a weekend off for the 6 Nations match at Murrayfield, so league action will return on 17th February when both teamswill be on the road. The 1XV travelling to North Berwick and the Eagles away to Strathmore 2XV.

Photos taken by Peter Wilkinson.

Positivity Shines Through

Perthshire Eagles 19 – 62 Rosyth Sharks

Depleted but determined Eagles put in a shift.

There was a spirit of determination about the Eagles as they lined up for the minute’s silence alongside the 1XV before heading across to the other pitch to face Rosyth.

A few phases in, the Eagles who’d not played since 9th December, felt the under pressure from a well drilled & hard carrying Rosyth. It was not long until the Fife men had opened the scoring.

Undeterred, the backs controlled by AJ Guthrie and Alan Clark were on fire, moving the ball and the point of attack with great plays and striking hard up to the opposition. The pack equally were fronting up creating platforms for these attacks as the match veered back & forth between the teams. It was Rosyth who gained the next score as they eventually broke down the ‘Shire defence.

Straight back from the restart solid carries by James Whyte and Mark Morgan created the momentum. A quick ball from Jack McIntosh allowed AJ Guthrie to put up a sweet crossfield kick. Rab Pittendreigh was there to collect and in space raced to score in the corner.

The match turned into an arm wrestle which favoured the visitors. With a full bench they could rotate their players and keep up the intensity. It was a tough going for Perthshire but spurred by their leaders on the pitch they stuck at it as half time came.

At second half kick off, James Whyte caught the ball and ran it back over 50m before he was stopped. A few quick phases and the Eagles looked dangerous, but the move fizzled out. Still in a good position, when the opportunity came AJ Guthrie sold a dummy pass, baffling the would be tacklers, and slipped for a try.

It was mostly defence for Perthshire now and Rosyth with fresher legs to call upon hammered up and over the line a few more times. Yet the Eagles did not give up.

With the clock running out and the game slowing down in the final plays, Perthshire were still determined to end the match well. A few quick phases up the pitch reignited the game and got Perthshire on the front foot. The ball was chipped over the top and bounce of the ball went the way of Alan Clark who finished the move with a heroic superhero dive over the try line. Time was called, no more rugby to be played.

This team has potential but inconsistency is the main drawback. There are flashes of brilliance, but some roughness too. If a regular team can train and play then the Eagles will start to turn around the results. Well done to Jake Cargill for his Perthshire debut and thanks to Mika Gratzke, Keith Millar and Struan Cattanach-Rodger for coming to help the Eagles.

Photographs from Rosyth Sharks Facebook page.