Hard Fought Battle in Fife

Kirkcaldy 36 – 36 Perthshire Women

All square as Kirkcaldy rally to save it in 79th minute.

Perthshire Women headed out for their 4th league game of the season on the back of a convincing win against Dundee Valkyries. This was Perthshire Women’s first away game of the season to Kirkcaldy Rugby Football Club. Heading to Fife with a full squad, a mixture of experienced and new players and also some experienced first-time players for the club, lead to great enthusiasm within the squad. The coaches were looking for consistency of approach from the women with heads up rugby emphasised.

Kirkcaldy unfortunately were reduced in numbers so Perthshire matched and played Game On rules with 14 players.

Under coaches’ instructions, Perthshire started very strongly with a try from the kick off and a full length pitch run by resident number 8 and scorer Heather McKenzie.

Kirkcaldy, with several team members playing out of position, opened up their scoring shortly after with a well wrestled run through heavy defence from Perthshire, up the middle of the park. Despite excellent tackling from Alex Ward and Lydia McGinley, Kirkcaldy went over the line for the second time.

Great carries off the ball from Alex W, Lydia M and Claire Rae, who was just returning from injury, put Perthshire back into Kirkcaldy’s half. An injury to a Kirkcaldy player reduced them to 13 so Lynne Stewart our stalwart prop joined the bench for a breather to even up numbers.

Newcomer’s to Perthshire, Ruth Morgan and Alix Morland, found themselves contributing very strongly in the scrum, with some fabulous breaks and resolute defence. A great break from Ruth and carry from Heather Kirkman in the centre, with good offload produced a passage of excellent play. This strong passage of play in Kirkcaldy’s half continued with a stolen line out, the forwards securing the ball seeing Heather M go over for her 2nd try. Alex lined up for the second time in front of the posts successfully slotting it over.

Lynne returned to the pitch as Kirkcaldy regained their players however, no complacency amongst the Perthshire ladies as a kick to touch by Kirkcaldy is short. A pick and go from Lydia with the successful offload to Alex allowed her to sprint 60 metres up the pitch just being caught at the 5m line. The ball was unfortunately knocked forward as the offload went to Alix who had been in pursuit the whole way.

A determined scrum from Perthshire followed and a pick and go from Heather offloading to Lydia who found her boot with a chip and chase. A passage of play from both teams resulted in Alex intercepting a pass to go over for her 2nd try.

Further pressure at the scrum from Anna Davies, resulted in backs play and a chip up field, with a great gain line break from Becky Hunter. As the clock ticked towards half time Alex, Heather K and Emily Tait continued to romp up the pitch taking Perthshire back into Kirkcaldy’s 22. Kirkcaldy secured a line out following a penalty which was stolen by Perthshire. Perthshire have worked extremely hard on ball retention and presentation and this was evident in the play by Emily as Perthshire go over the line again one minute before half time.

Half time the assistant coaches Arran, Rhys & Ross, in Iona’s absence, reinforced the heads up rugby and continuance of the positive tackling. Changes were made in the scrum with Cheryl Ramsay moving into 2nd row and Claire taking a well earned rest.

Second half started strong for Perthshire with some great runs by Ruth and Alex breaking the gain line. An off-the-training-field pressure move from Emily awarded Perthshire another scrum. Perthshire however just couldn’t seem to capitalise.

The forwards continued to provide solid scrums for Anna Davies to distribute excellent ball to the backs but pressure from Kirkcaldy was forcing errors. Perthshire kept their discipline and continued to work hard with amazing tackles from both Sophie Denwette and Paige Klinkman who joined the from the bench.

Kirkcaldy were out to bring the game into their half of the pitch and ensured Perthshire were feeling the pressure. Forwards playing in their backs was starting to take its toll on the defensive game and they crept into Perthshire’s 22. Great defence from Anna, Heather K and Danni Henderson wasn’t enough to hold Kirkcaldy back from the line.

Kirkcaldy continued their pressure right to the full-time whistle to go over at 79 minutes levelling the score at 36-36.

The Perthshire team left the pitch feeling disappointed. For this team’s first year in the league, playing against a seasoned league team, Perthshire should be extremely proud of the performance they showed, grit and determination right to the final whistle.

Forward of the Match – Ruth Morgan
Back of the Match – Lydia McGinley
Player of the Match – Heather McKenzie

Onwards and upwards to Bannockburn next week!