Perthshire Score Six Tries but Match Ends in Defeat
Whitecraigs 49 – 34 Perthshire
Eagles score quickly but hampered by injuries lose out.
Perthshire travelled to Newton Mearns on Saturday for what was not only the last game of the season, but also Alan Clark’s last match as Head Coach. This provided some additional motivation for the squad to try and pick up one final win for Clarky!
Thankfully the forecast rain never appeared, so it was bright and sunny when the teams kicked off, albeit with a strong wind blowing across the park. Perthshire had sadly already lost one of their number to injury at this point as Angus MacFarlane ruptured his Achilles in the warmup meaning Perthshire would need to compete with only 3 substitutes.
Whitecraigs enjoyed some early possession in the first 5 minutes and tested the Perthshire defence by playing with real width. The Perthshire line held up well however and despite numerous phases, Whitecraigs failed to make any ground. Perthshire eventually won a penalty just inside their half, this was kicked to touch and a powerful lineout maul won another penalty allowing Perthshire to piggyback up the field to the 5m line. Again, the lineout was won cleanly and a maul was rumbling before it was again illegally halted.
Given the early success of the maul many in the crowd expected ‘Shire to kick to the corner, however they had something else in mind. Simon McGarry tapped & went and the quick clear out allowed the ball to be passed to Adrian Venter who showed great footwork to get outside his marker and through for the score. Jonny Armitt was tasked with the kicking duties for the day but the strong wind pushed his early conversion to the left of the posts.
8mins, Whitecraigs 0 – 5 Perthshire.
Perthshire were in the ascendency at this stage and following some possession around the halfway line, neat hands led to a line break down the right side. After some nice interplay to make it deep into the 22 it looked like ‘Shire tried one offload too many as the ball went to ground, however it bounced kindly for Dan Rae coming at pace and despite a brave effort by two covering defenders, he was able to drag them over the line and get the ball grounded. From a similar spot to the first conversion, Jonny Armitt made the required adjustment for the wind and the kick sailed between the sticks.
13mins, Whitecraigs 0 – 12 Perthshire.
Perthshire continued to dominate territory and possession and after a great break down the left wing, John Kelly burst into the 22 and offloaded inside to Mat Rae. The cover defence managed to bundle him into touch a few metres short of the line but this provided only a temporary reprieve for the home side. An overthrown lineout was well taken by Calum Chalmers and although he was dragged down just shy of the line, the ball was popped to Angus Walker on the short side who powered over for the third try of the game. The conversion slipped just wide of the posts.
18mins, Whitecraigs 0 – 17 Perthshire.
Whitecraigs had been struggling to make inroads in the early stages of the game with excellent tackling by the likes of James Mair, Dan & Mat Rae, Calum Chalmers and Simon McGarry preventing them building any momentum. With half an hour gone however they finally got a penalty and a chance to build an attack inside the Perthshire 22. The initial attack was snuffed out but Whitecraigs were patient and kept going through the phases until they made the breakthrough to score their first try and get back into the game. The conversion from close to the posts was successful.
31mins, Whitecraigs 7 – 17 Perthshire.
Despite this setback Perthshire settled back into the games and were soon back on the scoresheet themselves. Jonny Armitt broke down the left side and deep into the Whitecraigs 22, he fed Angus Walker who got to within inches of the line. From here the ball was passed out to the right, a loop run round in the centre nearly beat the outside of the cover defence. It was James Mair who claimed the score picking up from the base of the ensuing ruck and diving over untouched for an unconverted bonus point try.
34mins, Whitecraigs 7 – 22 Perthshire.
After an excellent first half showing, Perthshire were looking to consolidate their lead. However just before the break disaster struck. With Whitecraigs in possession just inside the Perthshire half, Adrian Venter made an intercept and looked to attack, however with the play breaking up his offload was grabbed by a Whitecraigs player at pace who suddenly found himself in open space with two men on his outside shoulder and a clear run to the line. John Kelly used his pace to try and prevent what looked like a certain try – his attempted tackle however was high and the referee showed no hesitation in awarding the penalty try and showing John a yellow card. Meaning Perthshire would need to spend the first 10 minutes of the second half with 14 men.
Half Time, Whitecraigs 14 – 22 Perthshire.
Whitecraigs started the second half strongly, again trying to put width on the ball and exploit their man advantage. They succeeded in doing this 4 minutes into the half, putting the ball wide they broke down the left wing and some nice interplay allowed them to make it through the cover defence for the scrum half to score a converted try underneath the posts.
44mins, Whitecraigs 21 – 22 Perthshire.
Still holding the lead, Perthshire looked to attack and carried hard up to the Whitecraigs 22. The defence held firm however and a jackaling penalty was won. This was kicked to the left touchline and from the resultant lineout Whitecraigs spun the ball wide and broke down the right hand side to score underneath the posts. The conversion was again successful.
55mins, Whitecraigs 28 – 22 Perthshire.
Having fallen behind for the first time, Perthshire looked to respond instantly. James Mair made a line break and carried the ball up to halfway. As the cover defence closed in he passed to Ben Marshall who showed great composure to draw in the last defender and pop the ball to Simon McGarry bursting on to the ball at top speed and he raced the final 40 metres to score a fantastic try. The conversion attempt from the 15m line drifted wide.
57mins, Whitecraigs 28 – 27 Perthshire.
By the mid-point in the second half Perthshire, were beginning to rack up injuries. Having already lost Adrian Venter and Tom Whamond to shoulder and knee injuries, centre Dan Rae went down with a muscle injury during a particularly frantic period of play. This led to a re-shuffle of the back line and Whitecraigs sensed an opportunity to capitalise. From the line out the Whitecraigs backs attacked and before the new look Perthshire backline had a chance to settle, they had been opened up with the Whitecraigs full back making the clean break and showing pace to finish for another converted try.
62mins, Whitecraigs 35 – 27 Perthshire.
Again the Eagles showed great character to strike back. A penalty provided the platform and after a kick to the corner the forwards once more executed a slick line out drive. With Whitecraigs trying to disrupt the maul Angus Walker broke off from the rear and passed the ball to Calum Chalmers who literally ran over the top of a would-be tackler to score. Jonny Armitt was on target with the conversion and once again it was back to a one point game.
68mins, Whitecraigs 35 – 34 Perthshire.
Sadly that was to be Perthshire’s last score of the day as Whitecraigs dominated the final 10 minutes. With 5mins to go Whitecraigs’ centre made an excellent break from his own half. He was stopped inside the Perthshire 22 but a few phases later Whitecraigs exploited a defence which had never fully reorganised. A further try was added in the last play of the game as the home team attacked off the back of a midfield scrum. Their outside centre ran a great line to split the Perthshire defence and there were enough support runners to allow a simple pass and finish. The drop goal conversion was successful and Perthshire were left to reflect on an opportunity missed.
Final Score, Whitecraigs 49 – 34 Perthshire.
The 2022-23 season has now concluded for the 1s in Tennent’s National League 3 and Perthshire are a confirmed 10th place in the table. With the restructuring this will see them enter National League 4 next season along with 5 other teams from the current league and 4 promoted from the regional leagues, including a new local derby against Dunfermline. The campaign was at times exciting and others rueful. Injuries came at inopportune moments and prevented the squad really getting on a run of form.
Alan Clark now leaves the squad he has done so much to improve and build-up over the last 8 years. Steering a team through COVID-19 and many close calls with relegation it is a testament to the regard with which the players hold him that numbers at training have continued to increase; no matter what the results at the weekend. His successor will have a solid foundation upon which to build a team up to challenge for the National League 4 title in 2023-24.
From all at Perthshire Rugby: thank you Clarky for your leadership, your commitment and above all for your friendship.
Photos taken by Jazmine Tomlinson.
