Not so Super Saturday
Ardrossan Academicals 34 – 21 Perthshire
Disjointed performance inhibits Eagles from taking any points.
It’s never ideal to have a match on a Six Nations weekend, the Super Saturday finale less so. There were numerous players unavailable with Head Coach Alan Clark having to make all sorts of requests to be able to field 19 players. Returns to Black & White for Andrew Whitelaw and Matt Smith (after 3 years absence), helped produce a team sheet that looked capable of securing the crucial win in this relegation zone battle against Ardrossan.
The conditions were near perfect, especially for a ground that is usually very boggy and soft underfoot. The faster pitch should have helped ‘Shire who often struggle against the weight of Ardrossan’s handy forward pack. The Ayrshire men had different ideas and soon notched up the first score, a penalty try after a lineout maul was illegally brought down close to the line.
Perthshire just couldn’t string together any period of possession and went 14-0 down around the 15 minute mark as Ardrossan went through the phases and built pressure before a short pick & go made the try line and was duly converted.
This had the effect of kicking ‘Shire into life, working into the 22 where they camped for a long period, slowly working towards the line. Thwarted several times but returning for penalty advantages, ‘Shire could not break through. Then Captain Mat Rae got outside his man and nearly to the line, unselfishly he offloaded to Matt Jenns to score under the posts. Calum Bruce added the extras.
The Perthshire scrum was dominant, Ardrossan back pedalling and resorting to standing up, yet not getting penalised under the pressure. The lineout was a different matter. Ardrossan imperious in theirs and stealing at least 50% of Perthshire’s throws. This really hampered any momentum and penalties to touch could not guarantee possession allowing Ardrossan many easy escapes.
The rest of the half was mostly fought between the 22s, neither team making much progress. Ferocious tackling and jackaling by back rowers James Mair, Matt Jenns and Calum Chalmers stopping any Ardrossan advances. Ross Goodison using the touchline and producing some excellent tackles to halt any Ardrossan attacks round the sides.
The kicking game of Shire’ against the wind and slope was found wanting allowing Ardrossan time and space to clear or counterattack with interest. Discipline was poor too, with both sides conceding penalties, Ardrossan though claimed 3 points from one after Perthshire were judged offside.
More inaccurate kicking allowed the Ayrshire men to make good use of the 50:22 rule winning a lineout close to the ‘Shire line. It was well defended and turned over, but a mistake gave Ardrossan an attacking scrum. Compounding this error, a mix-up allowed Ardrossan to score straight off first phase as their centre ran through a large gap in the defensive line, 24-7.
With 2 minutes left to half time, Perthshire took the restart and magnificently reclaimed it. With a bit of momentum after 2 phases it went out wide to the back line who tried a grubber through. It ricocheted off an Ardrossan boot allowing the on-rushing defence to go straight through on to the ball. As ‘Shire had rushed up in attack the backfield was empty. The cover tackle couldn’t get there and Ardrossan earned their bonus point try to go up 31-7 at the break.
With the wind and slope in their favour for the second half, Perthshire knew they had the ability to turn it around. The next score being crucial to build momentum. For the first 10 minutes though all ‘Shire could do was defend. Ardrossan sent wave upon wave of forwards and backs to no avail. Again penalised for offside, Perthshire allowed Ardrossan repeated 5m lineouts but managed to repel the ensuing mauls. The siege was lifted with nothing conceded and Perthshire immediately went on the attack.
Ardrossan this time conceding the penalty allowed Perthshire into the 22 and with another penalty they elected to take the scrum. The home team were pushed back to about 8m from the line, James Mair picked up from the base and used his power to crash over for a try converted by Calum Bruce, 31-14.
Fresh legs of Tom Colvin and Stuart Magill came on immediately helping to up the tempo of Perthshire’s plays. Ardrossan managed to pull back a penalty after a brief foray into the Perthshire half but were once again under assault from waves of Black & White. Lewis Murrie with front foot ball was finding spaces around the pitch to send his players; Calum Chalmers, Dan Rae and Matt Smith making inroads.
Time was pressing on but Perthshire weren’t getting the break they needed, despite the efforts of all 15 on the pitch. Lineouts again failed to provide ball in promising positions so Ardrossan could exit. Eventually the third try came. Mat Rae crossed the whitewash after a deceptive backline move caught the out the Ardrossan defence.
Andrew Whitelaw moved into the fly-half position as Simon McGarry came on for Calum Bruce. Having been on the pitch a matter of minutes his opposite winger took a dislike to McGarry who received punches off the ball, showing considerable restraint McGarry refrained from returning the blows. The referee was swift to issue a red card and for the remaining 10 minutes Perthshire would have a one man advantage.
Still it wasn’t easy for Perthshire as their attacks constantly stalled, but one more try would secure both a try and a losing bonus point. Rhys Darlington had a stormer of a game putting everything into his shift, but cramping up Kieran Maclean returned to the field to take his place.
The Eagles pushed on. The clock wore down and ‘Shire were camped in the Ardrossan 22. Yet it never came. Numerous attacks, short penalties and scrums all came to nothing. Ardrossan held out and were relieved to hear the final whistle.
Perthshire will be thoroughly disappointed with the result. Conceding 2 soft tries just before half time and failing to score their fourth cost them this match. There are now only 3 matches left and Perthshire have slipped to second bottom of the league. All 3 fixtures will be at home and all supporters are encouraged to come down to the North Inch and help roar the Eagles to victory in each.
A win next week against Greenock is essential to avoid a relegation nightmare, coaches Alan Clark and Kenny Christie have set out their expectations to the squad if they want to bounce back and finish the season on a high. The 2XV will return to action next week as they host Waid Academy FP also on the North Inch. Both kick-offs are 3pm.
Photos taken by Cameron McGougan.
