The Hills were Alive to the Sound of Tries
Hillhead Jordanhill 58 – 7 Perthshire
Perthshire outscored by 10 to 1 at Hughenden.
Scottish Rugby is played & supported week-in, week-out at the clubs across the country by those who truly enjoy & love the game. It is a great frustration that these communities are forced to choose whether to support their local Club or go to Murrayfield when there are International fixtures. Both Hillhead & Perthshire had players absent away to watch the Springboks or had decided to give up their tickets to play for their Club. This was a rescheduled fixture, but the money-men at Murrayfield need to realise that success isn’t a full 67000 crowd at the stadium, it is passionate supporters down to watch and play in their Clubs every week. Putting matches behind a paywall TV will not help either…
So it proved a challenge for Alan Clark to put together a Perthshire team, making calls that saw Glasgow-based Eagles Erlend Oag, Rory Bayne and Taylor Mair all come into the squad for their first matches in Black & White in years.
The weather was fair with bright sunshine not normal November conditions. Hillhead seized the momentum early on. After a ruck penalty they kicked to the corner. The lineout maul was unstoppable and they crashed over. The next 20 minutes was an even affair. Kyle MacKinnon dominated his opposite man all day in the scrum but when in possession Perthshire could not build the pressure before the greasy ball was dropped or ruck lost.
Hillhead equally in attack could not make anything stick, strong tackles from Dan Rae and Angus Walker held them back and they too often split the ball. From the backfield Scott Alcorn & Erlend Oag were safe under the high ball often returning or running it back with interest gained.
Eventually and somewhat against the run of play Hillhead manged to find a gap on the wing and kept the ball for the big men to burrow over from short range.
The remainder of the half saw Perthshire completely out of sorts shipping 3 more tries. It could have been worse but for some keen defensive efforts of Dan Rae, James Mair, Ross Goodison and Mat Rae. Half time Hillhead 31 – 0 Perthshire.
Another quick score after the restart and things looked ominous. However, Mat Rae rallied his men and building on the solid scrum Perthshire began to compete again. Building phases continued into be a problem. Despite great breaks from Mat Rae, Ross Goodison and Scott Alcorn possession was surrendered too cheaply.
In contrast to the scrum the lineout was not functioning further frustrating Perthshire’s attack. Hillhead capitalised on loose balls and a tiring ‘Shire to score 3 further tries. Despite desperate scramble defence led by Ewan MacKessack-Leitch and Dan Rae. Tom Colvin was using his height well to reclaim a number of the restarts but errors would force ‘Shire onto the backfoot again.
As the game wore on injuries took their toll. Another Hillhead try came from a driving maul and not long after Dan Rae was forced off. The bench had already been emptied and so there were only 14 Black & White shirts left on the pitch for the final 10 minutes.
Eventually, Perthshire got into a roll of pressure. The referee grew impatient with Hillhead’s offside and ruck skulduggery awarding ‘Shire penalties but the ropey lineout was an unreliable platform to attack from.
Following a turnover Hillhead kicked out of their 22 and into the arms of Scott Alcorn. He ran it back, chipped over the defensive line and won the foot race to collect the ball. Haring for the line he was hauled down millimetres from the whitewash. Perthshire surged forward but were pushed back, however, Hillhead were offside and James Mair took the penalty quickly. A few pick & goes from the base edged ever closer, then with an advantage being played it went out. Whether he was meant to receive it or not, Stevie Wilkie took the pass and trundled over the line, Hillhead helpless in the wake of Stevie’s irrepressible momentum. Calum Bruce made the conversion.
The game ended with one final score from Hillhead to make it 10 tries to 1. Despite the score line there were positives to take for the Eagles. The back rowers covered all the pitch popping up to support rucks or make cover tackles. The scrum was solid and at no point did Perthshire give up or get negative. Still there will be plenty for Alan Clark to work on with his team over the next 2 weeks before the trip to Howe of Fife.
That match will be on 27th November as there is a weekend off now which will allow for some recovery. The 2XV were not in action and will return also on the 27th away to Waid FP.
Photos taken by Heather Kirkman.
