Defeated but not Deflated

Lasswade 55 – 19 Perthshire

Perthshire put in improved performance as Lasswade secure promotion.

Player availability was again a challenge for the Seniors this week. Both teams had rescheduled matches but the clash with the 6 Nations and further COVID-19 cases meant the 2XV could not field a team against Waid Academy FP and the 1XV that travelled to league leaders Lasswade was missing many regular players. Before kick-off the message to the team was simple: play your best and do the shirt proud and try to spoil the party for Lasswade who would secure their promotion to National League 2 with a win.

Perthshire received and started positively, however, the ruck speed by Lasswade was very quick catching ‘Shire out who concede some early penalties. Lasswade gladly took the ground given and within 5 minutes had opened their account following a short range surge over the line.

Undeterred Perthshire kicked off and put Lasswade under pressure. The defence was hard and Lasswade had to work to make the yards. Slowly but surely they were creeping up the pitch. Then when passing out wide Aidan Watson took his chance, sped out the line intercepted and raced 60+ metres to dot down under the posts. Converted by Calum Bruce, Perthshire took the lead 5-7.

The restarts this match were not managed well by Perthshire. Lasswade quickly regained possession and another penalty conceded, they kicked to the corner. The lineout maul was set and inevitably marched forward to the line; crossed and a converted try scored.

Lasswade are league leaders for good reason and would again use their set plays to secure their third try minutes later. When Perthshire got on the front foot they would cause the hosts problems, often started by an intelligent kicking game orchestrated by Aidan Watson and Jonny Armitt. Rhys Darlington and Ewen MacDonald would make the hard yards tight to the ruck while James Armstrong and Mat Rae often got round their opposite man and in behind. However, the difference was Perthshire’s ability to build the phases or execute clinically, a number of chances and decent time in the 22 came to nothing.

When organised, Perthshire’s defence held firm. During another period of Lasswade possession the hosts could not break though. Disruption at the ruck by Angus Walker affected Lasswade’s rhythm and Calum Bruce sensing this snatched an interception close to the defending 22 and started progressing up field. Lasswade’s scramble defence closed in but on hand for the offload and change of angle was James Armstrong who sprinted the remaining 50m to score out wide.

Taking the restart Perthshire were late to the following ruck and conceded the penalty for holding on. The attacking lineout took Lasswade into the 22 and making no mistake with their passing this time scored the bonus point try.

As half time approached ‘Shire were under intense pressure, defending on the line. Lasswade’s scrum was held back and after numerous phases, Perthshire forced a knock-on and the whistle blew. 22-12 in the host’s favour.

Captain Mat Rae rallied his men, the hard work defending was keeping Lasswade honest. More precision in attack and maintaining low tackle height were key to getting something from the second half.

Lasswade upped the ante in the first 15 minutes of the second half. Perthshire were out of shape and the penalty count crept higher. The hosts exploited voraciously, with 3 tries scored in the period; including when ‘Shire were reduced to 14 men after Ewen MacDonald was shown a yellow card.

There were individual plays that saved and boosted ‘Shire, be they ruck turnovers by Arran Sheach and Angus Walker or the secure lineout takes of Tom Colvin and Ewan MacKessack-Leitch who disrupted and even stole some from Lasswade. Kieran Maclean was staking his claim to the 2 jersey, throwing well and putting an industrious shift around the park. Despite intense pressure the front row were holding the scrums.

When the momentum shifted ‘Shire made inroads, Lasswade this time incurred the ire of the referee sending a player to the bin as Perthshire returned to 15. As with the first half the execution and discipline in attack was wanting and opportunities missed.

Time was ticking down and the score stayed 43-12 for a good while before James Armstrong, who played on the edge all match, was sent to think about his penalty count for 10 minutes. Lasswade used their scrum power to hold in the forwards then the extra man told as space was exploited to score another 2 tries.

The men in Black & White never looked back and never gave up. Attacking in the final minutes, a dangerous tackle resulted in a Lasswade player now going off for the final 10 minutes. The bench made a difference as tired legs were replaced by the fresh impetus of Simon McGarry and Lewis Macpherson. Andrew Whitelaw made a welcome return to Perthshire colours to see out the match.

With James Armstrong back on the pitch ‘Shire pushed on. A lineout maul attack was unsuccessful but returning for no advantage, a short tap penalty was delivered to Dan Rae. All match he had put in the big hits and hard carries. This time he carried hard & low, bursting over the line to score with 3 Lasswade defenders hanging off him. Quickly taken, the conversion landed and with 2 minutes left Perthshire had a small window to claim a fourth try and bonus point.

It was not to be, but endeavour and heart were shown throughout. Every single player put in a shift giving the coaches a lot to think about as the final and crucial league matches approach. Congratulations to Lasswade who will rightly be playing National 2 rugby next season.

Next week Perthshire travel to Ardrossan Academicals who sit in 9th place in the table just one below Perthshire who are 8th. A win is a must to ease any risk of relegation and from Saturday’s performance there is definitely a resilient mentality within the team when up against the odds.