Fumbling Perthshire Turned Over by West
Perthshire take a backwards step as unforced errors cost them dearly
Perthshire 10 – 20 West of Scotland
Perthshire did not have their troubles to seek this past week. A very late call off by Murrayfield Wanderers last weekend and the floodlight failure enforcing gym only training were not ideal. When it came to Saturday the pitch was hard in patches and it was uncertain the match would go ahead. These factors may have had an effect on Perthshire who seemed lacklustre and inaccurate for long periods of the match.
When 2pm came the pitch had thawed and West of Scotland kicked-off. James Mair gathered, and Perthshire took it to the visitors. Showing strong running and intensity they pushed upfield. West couldn’t get a hold of the ball, Angus Walker was turning them over at every ruck. A kick over the top forced an error from the West defence and Perthshire were awarded a scrum about 15m out from the line. The pack were solid, giving clean ball to Ryan Miller, he spun it to fly half Adam Dearden who had a pick of the back line players to choose from. His pass went to Jonny Armitt unseen by the defence as he sliced through, rounded the full back and touched down by the posts. No mistake as he converted his try.
Perthshire failed to clear their lines from the restart allowing West their first real possession. It was simple but effective rugby from the Burnbrae men, short passes and tight lines. Eventually, despite desperate Perthshire defence, they smashed their way over near the corner for an unconverted score.
Having started brightly inaccuracies were beginning to hamper Perthshire. Unable to get much go forward the ball was surrendered cheaply on multiple occasions. However, the set piece was working well and West weren’t really able to take advantage.
West played the conditions well utilising an effective kicking game. Perthshire were caught short and fumbled in their own half conceding an attacking scrum to West. The pack heaved to disrupt and it was unclean ball for the visitors but a defensive mix-up in the centres allowed West through for their second score. It too went unconverted. Perthshire 7 – 10 West of Scotland.
The men in black & white hit back and West were called offside in their 22. With the scrum dominating rather than take a simple 3 points they opted for a scrum. A solid platform and the backline were surging forward. The last pass was dropped and West were momentarily safe. From just outside the 22 Perthshire again started to build the attack with a few phases of tight play then half-breaks in the backline. The momentum was building but further knock-ons and isolated runners squandered any opportunity and West were able to fully clear.
The remainder of the first half was similar. Perthshire fighting to work upfield only to be their own worst enemy and lose it. Good tactical kicking from West would force the men in black & white back to square one. The defence was just holding as West had numerous attacks thwarted. The lineout & scrum dominance was keeping Perthshire in the game.
Half time came and Perthshire knew they need to start playing rugby in the opposition half and exit quickly to relieve pressure rather than try to play out.
The second half started promisingly as Perthshire got into the West 22 and won a penalty. This time they opted to go for goal and Jonny Armitt duly slotted the kick. All square Perthshire 10 – 10 West of Scotland.
As with the past few games ‘Shire waned as the match proceeded. Still fighting but very slow they were holding on, but only just. Mistakes compounded mistakes and with a change in the pack the scrum started going backwards.
West had numerous 5m scrums which with the soft ground they were pushing the distance, however, a knock-on, fumble or holding the ball up would save Perthshire. It couldn’t last forever and eventually a West pass didn’t go to hand but ‘Shire weren’t looking up and the West No. 8 picked it up as the defending players parted, like the Red Sea for Moses, for an easy walk over to score. West had a bad day with the boot; it was now Perthshire 10 – 15 West of Scotland.
The restart went straight out and again Perthshire were under huge pressure in the scrum. The North Inch crowd of ex-players couldn’t believe how difficult Perthshire were making it for themselves. Mistake, knock-on, accidental offside, loose kick, no kick-chase, isolated runners; hard work would be undone making it all too easy for West.
Perthshire were let off some more when West dropped the ball over the line, missed a penalty and again were held up from a driving scrum. It was frantic stuff. With about 10 minutes left on the clock Perthshire won a turnover and set upfield. West were offside at the ruck and a penalty kick went to touch for a lineout 20m from the try line. Having worked well all day the lineout failed and West were given the option to exit. Perthshire pressurised but couldn’t get it back and were soon down in their own half.
The match ended with West of Scotland breaking clear from just outside the 22 to score in the corner, earning them the bonus point win and denying any league points for the Home team. Final score Perthshire 10 – 20 West of Scotland.
The 2XV were playing at home too against local rivals Crieff, but they also had a bad day. It was a similar theme with unforced errors in attack and missed tackles contributing to a 7 – 70 loss.
Next week will again feature two home matches on the North Inch. The 1XV face newly promoted local rivals Strathmore and the 2XV have a friendly against Carnoustie. All supporters are encouraged to come down and cheer on your team. It will have to be a hard week’s training to sort out the errors or as we approach the halfway point in the season or the outlook will again look dangerous near the bottom of the table.
