Murrayfield Wanderers 33 – 28 Perthshire

Frustrating loss on the road as 4 yellow cards take their toll.

The summer’s preseason ended with the first National League 4 match of the season away to Murrayfield Wanderers. Often these encounters are close affairs separated by a few points and this match, played in the shadow of the national stadium, again proved to be a tight game.

Perthshire kicked off and their aggressive defence troubled Murrayfield who struggled to make much ground. However, some over enthusiastic hits and rucking earned Wanderers a penalty in front of the posts which they duly scored to take a 3-0 lead.

With their first real piece of possession to work with Perthshire hit back. A penalty was kicked to touch for a 5m lineout. Secured, the maul formed and pushed forward but was halted short. A couple of quick & direct phases by the forwards and newly appointed vice-captain Simon McGarry burrowed over the line, Calum Bruce adding the 2 points.

The ball and attacks veered back & forth, both teams making good headway with their possession. A last ditch tackle then turnover from Lewis Murrie ended a threatening Murrayfield surge in to the 22. A break from Kieran Ramsay, who burst back this match after a long lay off, took ‘Shire deep into Murrayfield territory but a chip kick through into space was not regathered. However, in their desperate defence Murrayfield conceded a number of penalties and ultimately the referee lost patience sending their flanker to the sin bin.

It did not take long for Perthshire to make the extra man count. After some patient plays sucking in the home team, Shaun Barton made a barnstorming carry through the middle. In behind, Perthshire exploited the space to the left then back to the far right touchline where Rory Bayne crossed to score out wide. Despite the difficult angle Calum Bruce was on the money converting to build the lead, 3-14.

Both teams were pushing the tempo and playing at 100mph. The defensive line-speed coupled with this pace of play was forcing knock-ons and plays were disjointed with a few temper tantrums from either side.

Following a knock-on and still with the 1 man advantage, the Eagles had a scrum 10m into the Wanderers half. A big shove had the scrum moved forward, then the ball came out to Calum Bruce who’s kick pass to the wing was perfectly weighted to John Kelly. With the ball in hand he stepped in, beating one defender, and surged forward brushing off more would-be tacklers all the way to the line. The conversion from the boot of Calum Bruce hit the post but bounced over, 3-21.

Now restored to 15 players, Murrayfield had some possession but were not making much headway. However, a series of cheap penalties got Wanderers on to the front foot and they scored an unconverted try in the corner after a quick tap.

Responding positively Perthshire built a good bit of momentum and got into the Murrayfield half. Some rash decision making saw ‘Shire kick away possession trying to get over the top or in behind but never pulling it off. These relieved the pressure and allowed Murrayfield space to attack a broken field. One such kick was returned and the bounce was cruel flummoxing Calum Bruce who in his efforts to secure the ball took out a Murrayfield player, which the referee deemed cynical and brandished a yellow card.

Shocked and compounding penalties Perthshire were disorganised allowing Murrayfield the opportunity, which they seized, to score on the half time whistle. Adding further to the misery Lewis Murrie was also sent to the sin bin for infringements leading up to the try.

Despite going into the second half 15-21 up Perthshire seemed lost. Down 2 men they knew it would be an almighty effort to hold the lead until restored. It didn’t start well, further penalties earlier in the second half and soon Simon McGarry was guilty of going high and show a yellow card as well.

With only 12 players Perthshire defended valiantly, twice holding up potential scores. However, a goal line drop out was run back at pace and the space exploited to maximum effect as Murrayfield scored in the corner to make it a 1 point match, 20-21.

Perthshire steadied as Calum Bruce returned to the pitch then a few minutes later Jack McIntosh came on for Lewis Murrie as his 10 minute suspension ended. A change in the front row saw Blair Twaddell and Kieran Maclean enter the match. This was short lived as Blair Twaddell was soon walking off courtesy of a yellow card for a “seat-belt” tackle.

Ill-discipline really hurt ‘Shire, whereas in the first half Murrayfield were mostly punished by the referee’s whistle, it was all Perthshire now. The hosts adapted to the interpretation of the new high-tackle laws whereas the visitors did not and could not get possession; almost any good turnover was undone by an earlier penalty advantage still being played.

The defence held, with Shaun Barton and Captain Calum Chalmers leading the efforts, and eventually the ball came to ‘Shire. They attacked positively and it looked on, so sent a kick through to chase. This was collected by Murrayfield and, with Perthshire not set up to defend & players short, the hosts ran it straight back to the corner for an unconverted try to take the lead for the first time. This was soon extended by a penalty for a high tackle, 28-21.

Now, eventually, the men in Black & White were restored to 15 and they struck back. A dominant scrum held in the forwards as the backs attacked, then flooded through the breach. A series of offloads kept the ball alive and John Kelly finished off the move to score in the corner. A stunning conversion by Calum Bruce levelled the score 28-28.

No sooner and it was undone. Perthshire were slow to the tackle from the restart and Murrayfield won a penalty and kicked at goal. It went wide but collecting the ensuing 22 drop Wanderers’ winger ran round the defenders and showed some pace to dot down in the corner to gain a 5 point lead.

Desperate Perthshire pushed on and attacked, Aidan Watson injecting pace while Angus Walker carried hard, but could not break through as they forced the play and made mistakes. The match ended when a penalty failed to find touch.

This was not the outcome Perthshire wanted, to throw away a 19 point lead with 4 yellow cards because they could not adapt to the tackle height laws. Likewise a lack of composure at key attack & defence moments cost them dearly. The Adam Pattinson Memorial Cup goes to Murrayfield Wanderers until it is next contested at the return fixture on 11th November on the North Inch.

Next week it is a double-header at home as the 1XV host newly promoted Stewartry and the 2XV start their league campaign against Grangemouth 2XV. All are welcome to support the teams and cheer them on at the North Inch then join us in the Perth Bowling Club afterwards. Kick-offs are at 3pm.

Photos taken by Ewan MacKessack-Leitch and Andrew Sanderson.