Bonus Point the Reward in Last Game of 2023

Whitecraigs 40 – 27 Perthshire

Wind and penalties hamper ‘Shire on the road.

Although Whitecraigs sat third in the table before Saturdays match, Perthshire travelled down with confidence after a convincing win against Ross High and were looking to avenge a tight defeat against Whitecraigs earlier in the season. Despite leaving Perthshire in relative calm, they were met in Newton Mearns by a wind which was howling at an angle across the pitch and a light smirr of wind driven rain which would undoubtedly play its part in how the game was played.

Whitecraigs kicked to Perthshire and had quickly stripped possession to set up a good attacking opportunity within the first couple of minutes of the game. A kick through saw Rory Bayne scampering to gain possession a couple of metres from his own line, however Black and White jerseys managed to retain the ball and win a reprieve when Whitecraigs were penalised at the following ruck which allowed a clearance kick to touch. Although the game ebbed & flowed in the early exchanges, Perthshire were looking good with ball in hand. Powerful carries by James Mair and Calum Chalmers were providing excellent go forward and despite the challenging conditions the backs were looking to attack wide with John Kelly twice being snared by cover defence to prevent a clean break.

Perthshire were playing with advantage however and from the resulting penalty the ball was kicked into the left corner. The forwards then beautifully executed a lineout move straight from the training ground. As the ball was brought down it was fed to a looping Ross Goodison who interested the defence before firing a perfect pass to James Mair who still had work to do but powered through soft shoulders to make it over the line. Calum Bruce’s conversion was almost taken by the wind but glanced the right hand upright on its way through.
Whitecraigs 0 – 7 Perthshire

It was becoming apparent that the referee was prone to favouring the attacking side and with Whitecraigs making some powerful carries Perthshire’s penalty count began to rise. After a series of penalties lead to a Perthshire team warning, Whitecraigs opted to take a scrum on the Perthshire 5m line. Although the initial surge was repelled, a couple of phases later Whitecraigs worked the ball round the corner and were able to power over and score their first try of the afternoon. The successful conversion tying up the scores.
Whitecraigs 7 – 7 Perthshire

The resulting restart was allowed to bounce into touch by the home side and they were almost made to pay for this error after the lineout was stolen and Ross Goodison made a barnstorming run up the touchline to within a couple of metres of the line. Unfortunately, the ball was lost forward in the tackle and Whitecraigs broke out from the scrum attacking wide and making good yards. Again, Perthshire were on the wrong side of the referee and a series of penalties put them under pressure within their own half and on a second team warning from the referee. Almost inevitably a yellow card followed and Calum Bruce was the man sent to the sin bin following a seemingly harsh high tackle penalty. Whitecraigs didn’t take long to make the man advantage count, powering over in the left corner following a lineout. The tricky conversion into the wind was unsuccessful.
Whitecraigs 12 – 7 Perthshire

Perthshire defended the next 5 minutes bravely and some excellent rugby then took them deep into the Whitecraigs 22. Time and again they tried but failed to get over the line, until eventually they kicked a penalty to touch and lost the resultant lineout. Whitecraigs however could not clear their lines and James Mair was able to latch onto the ball on the floor and win a penalty. Having returned to the field, Calum Bruce split the uprights and reduced the deficit to 2 points.
Whitecraigs 12 – 10 Perthshire

After a spell of back and forth, Whitecraigs were next to put together a prolonged period of possession, moving the ball from side to side with powerful carries through the middle they eventually broke down a dogged Perthshire defence to score their third try of the day shortly before halftime. It could have been worse for Perthshire as there was still time before the half for another attack by the home side, however despite knocking on the door for multiple phases Perthshire’s defence held firm and eventually a dropped ball brought about the reprieve of the half time whistle.
Half Time: Whitecraigs 19 – 10 Perthshire

Although the first 10 minutes of the second half were relatively even, Whitecraigs then struck to extend their advantage. It was set up after a free-flowing break down the right wing. Although the initial break was stopped short of the line, a few phases later an offload out of a tackle in the middle of the field allowed a converted try to be scored under the posts.
Whitecraigs 26 – 10 Perthshire

Whitecraigs now had their tails up but despite a period of territorial dominance, Perthshire defended gamely and then from nowhere struck back with a try of their own. As Whitecraigs moved the ball to the left, defensive pressure forced the error and Rory Bayne was fastest to react and hack the ball forward. Despite some awkward bounces his footballing skills allowed him to twice kick the ball forward at full pace and with the ball eventually evading Rory and the cover defence, Rabson Chipakupaku was on hand to scoop up and sprint the final 30 meters to score the try. Calum Bruce was on target with the conversion.
Whitecraigs 26 – 17 Perthshire

Perthshire were hoping to build on this try, however a dropped ball in their own 22 provided Whitecraigs dominant scrum an excellent attacking platform. The backs put it to good use, pulling the ball wide and breaking through down the right side. The conversion took the score to;
Whitecraigs 33 – 17 Perthshire

Undeterred Perthshire continued to try and play free flowing rugby. Some excellent attacking play brought them deep into the Whitecraigs half but again they struggled to capitalise and get the ball over from short range. On this occasion after a number of phases and penalty advantage, a miscommunication in the lineout allowed Whitecraig’s the chance to clear.

Thankfully it proved to be only a temporary reprieve for the home side as Perthshire spun the ball wide from 30m out and Aedan Milne sliced through the defensive line, drew the last defender and passed to John Kelly who had the pace to score in the corner. Calum Bruce was unsuccessful with the touchline conversion into the wind.
Whitecraigs 33 – 22 Perthshire

With the clock ticking down Perthshire were now throwing the ball about in an effort to get a bonus point try and reduce the deficit. Unfortunately, this backfired after a dropped ball on their own 22 provided Whitecraigs the scrum platform to once again cross the Perthshire line. This time it was the Whitecraigs inside centre who stepped inside the sliding defence to score underneath the posts.
Whitecraigs 40 – 22 Perthshire

Desperate to get something from the game, Perthshire turned Whitecraigs over in their own half and began playing expansive rugby in the search for the 4th try. At one stage Perthshire thought they had scored when Aedan Milne chased a kick through however, he was just beaten to the ball and the goal line drop out allowed Whitecraigs to clear.

Despite a monopoly on territory and possession for the last 5 minutes of the game, and numerous penalties and attacking platforms, it took until the 79th minute before Lewis Murrie slipped over in the left corner to secure the bonus point which Perthshire’s efforts deserved. Calum Bruce’s touchline conversion never stood a chance into the gale and the game ended.
Full Time: Whitecraigs 40 – 27 Perthshire

Perthshire’s next match will be at home on January 13th when we will host a double header on the North Inch. The Eagles will play Bannockburn while the 1XV face local rivals Strathmore in what is sure to be an entertaining encounter. Both games kick off at 2pm.

As there are no further games in 2023 it just leaves us to wish all of our members and supporters a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.