Eagles Land a Dazzling Dozen

Perthshire 82 – 5 Panmure

A Watson quadruple and hattricks from Milne & Bayne light up the North Inch.

After 2 matches on the road, Perthshire held their first home match of Arnold Clark Caledonia Region League Division 1 welcoming Panmure to the North Inch. A small crowd assembled, that grew as the game progressed, witnessing the fine form ‘Shire have achieved as they sought to make it 3 wins from 3 outings.

The home team kicked off into wind and Panmure let it bounce. This stalled the rushing defence as the Broughty Ferry team spun it to the other side and ran clean through a gap, getting to the tryline only to be held up. Perthshire failed to adequately clear, gave a penalty away, which was taken quickly and Panmure crashed over in the corner. The conversion fell short but for the first time this season Perthshire were behind, 0-5.

The Eagles seemed stunned and struggled to get their rhythm, some good attacks came but were frustrated by loose handling or forced off-loads. One area of constant dominance was the scrum and this gave ‘Shire plenty of attacking ball. After striking one against the head, the home team made it up to the line. Opting for a scrum option from a 5m penalty the ball did the hard work getting out to Aedan Milne who, taking an offload from Rory Bayne, danced down the touchline to beat the cover and score. Calum Bruce slotted the conversion and Perthshire were in front, 7-5.

The match now got stuck in midfield as both teams playing at a frenetic pace could not keep a hold of the ball. Then it was Perthshire’s turn to defend within their 22 and they absorbed what seemed like a ton of pressure before forcing Panmure to knock on. From the scrum Simon McGarry at No. 8 picked and ran past the halfway before he was hauled down. On the front foot a series of quick carries from Dan Rae & Ross Goodison got in to the 22 where the Rhys Darlington was given the ball and charged the final 8m to smash over under the posts for a converted try, 14-5.

Again the gameplay settled into a lull as neither team could keep possession for more than 3 phases. Then a clean lineout take allowed Ian Kerr a run at the centres and he used his power to pull in multiple defenders. This opened the space for the backs and slick hands from AJ Guthrie found Rory Bayne who seared down the touchline then round under posts to give Calum Bruce the easiest of conversions, 21-5.

With momentum, another Rory Bayne inspired attack ended with a forward pass on 10m line. However, the pack had the upper hand and won the scrum against head, the ball spilling out. Aidan Watson reacted quickest and skipped through the broken defence and offloaded to Angus Wlaker as the cover caught them on the 22. Lewis Murrie was fast to the ruck and sent the ball to Aidan Watson, back in position, who sent a long wide pass out to the left wing, which was shifted once more to Aedan Milne who evaded the cover and dived over in the corner, 26-5.

Next Lewis Murrie was rewarded with a try. He looked sharp all match seeking the edge around the ruck and after sparking an attack from the back of a scrum, finished it a few minutes later as he found another gap on the fringe and darted over unopposed to dot down by the left post. Calum Bruce was back on target and within a few minutes halftime was called with Perthshire comfortably ahead 33-5.

The second half started as the first ended with scrum superiority, boosted yet further with Blair Twaddell back on following some ankle reinforcement. Panmure were pushed off their own ball then at the next scrum pushed back further conceding a penalty. Shaping up to kick for touch and despite being in their own half, Aidan Watson heard the call, tapped and passed wide where Rory Bayne got in behind a static defence then picked out Lewis Murrie who had only the fullback to beat; just held the sweetest of backhand offloads popped into Aidan Watson’s hands for a try under posts, 40-5.

The next try had a slower build up as Panmure absorbed lots pressure then took possession. However they could not escape their own half and a ferocious double tackle by Jonny Venter & Angus Walker dislodged the ball which, quick as a flash Andrew Sanderson, scooped up and shot out to Aidan Watson who in one side-step beat 4 defenders to sprint in between the posts.

Still the Broughty Ferry team could not get any territory and were held back in their own half. Under pressure a fluffed clearance kick gave ‘Shire a lineout 30m out. It wasn’t the tidiest but the ball was scrambled to Aidan Watson who taking advantage of the chaos, side-stepped again, this time to beat 5 on-rushing defenders then another 3 as he ran back through the lineout to dive over. A trickier angle, but Calum Bruce slotted the conversion, 54-5.

From the restart the ball was passed to Ross Goodison who ran, rolled and fended his way 10m taking in 6 tacklers. A quick ruck allowed Anderw Sanderson to find Rory Bayne at first receiver to ran 60m and cross the whitewash. Again not an easy kick but Calum Bruce split the posts, 61-5.

Straight off the restart Perthshire ran deep back into Panmure territory but an interception, then penalty, allowed a clearance kick out of their own half. However, Simon McGarry stole the lineout and the ball went through the hands in the backline to Rory Bayne who had the overlap and scored his hattrick.

Panmure had no answers to ‘Shire and despite a brief foray were soon backpedalling, another dominant scrum created the platform for fast passing along the backline to Aedan Milne who sprinted down the touchline to take his hattrick too. Calum Bruce was on target with this as well, 75-7.

The visitors had a promising attack and a kick chase just went out. Perthshire won the lineout then a series of carries by Laurence Knight & Jonny Venter with ambitious offloads stuck and the ball got to Aidan Watson in acres of space where he beat last defender to cruise in for his fourth try. Calum Bruce claiming the 2 points to make it 11 out of 12 from the boot, 82-5.

The match was nearly over and put to bed but there was still determination from ‘Shire. This was exemplified by the biggest cheer of the afternoon when, newly appointed Club Captain, Dan Rae put in a solid tackle knocking his opposite man back and into next week.

Full time came and Perthshire, despite a soft start, grew into and dominated for 75 minutes. Though the backs made the score there was no doubt the efforts of front rowers Rhys Darlington, Ross Goodison, Blair Twaddell, Cameron Craig and Will Campbell in controlling & overpowering the scrum made the result. Credit also to Angus Walker & Simon McGarry who’s support secured numerous quick rucks and delivered turnovers; and centres Calum Bruce & AJ Guthrie who used their nous & hands to get the ball to the players in space allowing the back 3 to make huge inroads. No quarter was given.

Coaches Dave Nowell-Cook and Sarah Hogwood were happy with the score but know sterner tests will follow; and now have some selection dilemmas with the likes of Jonny Venter, Will Campbell and Thomas Pounder making strong cases for regular inclusion in the 1XV.

Next week is a rest then the Perthshire derby will see ‘Shire travel to undefeated Blairgowrie for a fascinating encounter on 28th September. If you can, join the crowd and support the ‘Shire – it promises to be a cracker!

On the road to Dundee Medics a depleted Eagles (2XV) side were on the wrong end of a 153-0 scoreline, but Coach Dave Hutchison was proud of the effort his players put in for the full 80 minutes against a fit and dynamic student outfit. Numbers should be better next week (21st September) when Rosyth Sharks visit the North Inch for the Eagles’ first home match of the league. Come down to support at 3pm.

Photographs taken by Peter Wilkinson.