Late scores for Jimmy Whyte Senior & Junior not enough to overcome Dragoons’ early lead.

Perthshire XV 10-24 Royal Scots Dragoon Guards XV

Saturday 9th March 2019 will down in the annals of Perthshire RFC history. It was 150 years ago on 10th January 1869 when Perth Academicals lined up for their first ever rugby match on the North Inch against the locally stationed Scots Grey’s. So, as part of the 150th Anniversary celebrations, their successor teams Perthshire RFC and the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (now based at Leuchars) met again on the North Inch.

Perthshire fielded a mix of 1XV, 2XV, veterans and super-veterans in a team encompassing the past, present and future for the Club. The Dragoons playing their first XVs match for 4 years had a mix of newcomers to the sport, recently returned players, Fijians and even some Army representatives. The pitch had dried overnight, and the sun shone for this highly anticipated match.

The teams were piped on to the pitch led by their Captains. Perthshire elected to play with the sun behind them and the Dragoons would kick off.

The match started full of energy and endeavour, both teams looking to play a fast game. Perthshire had the better of the possession and pushed deep into the Dragoons half. Ruck and high tackle penalties were hurting the Dragoons giving easy ball to Perthshire who piled on the pressure.

The Perthshire lineout was dominant winning clean ball for each attack. Ewan MacKessack-Leitch stealing a number of Dragoons throws as well. When it mattered though Perthshire just couldn’t break through. A scrum penalty on the 5m, a knock on with the try line begging or a missed pass would end the attack and the Dragoons would breathe a sigh of relief.

It was somewhat against the run of play when an isolated Perthshire runner was turned over allowing the Dragoons some space to run into. They didn’t need a second invitation and some deft passing and sweet lines saw fullback Waqairatu score in the corner for an unconverted try.

Undeterred by the slip up Perthshire regained possession and again pressed forward. The lineout mauls were making decent ground and one was just pulled down short. However, the advantage was lost and Perthshire opted for a scrum in front of the posts after winning a penalty. There was an early shove from the Dragoons so Jack McIntosh took a quick tap and passed to the forwards. The line was so close, but not even the, Northern Powerhouse, Dave Lewis could quite manage to breach the whitewash from close quarters. Spun out the pass was dropped and the Dragoons cleared.

On the occasion the Dragoons threatened, Perthshire’s defence was resolute. Excellent work at the breakdown, often by Ali Nisbett or Angus Walker, would slow them down or win the turnover. Perthshire would get the opportunity to clear their lines which Jonny Armitt and even Richard Haggart used to kick the ball upfield and safely to touch.

Further attacks from Perthshire saw a flowing move reach Taylor Mair on the right wing, he came close but was bundled into touch. Jonny Armitt at 10 was keeping the defence guessing either linking with Dan Rae & Callum Croughan in the centre or chipping over for Jay Pettie to chase down. Strong carries by Ewen MacDonald and Dave Lewis around the fringes kept the Dragoons’ forwards honest.

A penalty in mid-field gave the Dragoons a quick tap, the ‘Shire defence were caught napping and the Dragoons broke through. A last gasp ankle tap brought the strike runner down, but the ball was quickly recycled and, despite the best efforts of Rab Pittendreigh, centre Sokia touched down to score. The conversion was made, Perthshire 0-12 Royal Scots Dragoons Guards.

Within moments Perthshire were making inroads and a penalty too far was conceded by the Dragoons who saw a man sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes.

However, as the half ended Perthshire couldn’t take advantage. Again excellent set-piece play was providing the platform but chances were missed. Dan Rae was running hard in the centre creating space for Callum Croughan to exploit but the support wasn’t quick enough and the momentum lost.

At half time Perthshire could have felt disappointed to have been 2 scores down despite the dominance in territory & possession. Some fresh legs were about to come off the bench and this could give the impetus to cross the try-line.

The second half started like the first, fast paced and Perthshire in possession. A few phases later and the men in black & white were queuing up to get the ball and crash over. Alas the short pass was well read by Sokia who intercepted and had the whole pitch to cover. He showed good pace & feet to flummox the sparse ‘Shire defence to score under the posts for a converted try.

Now the substitutions were made. Liam Flavell came on to the wing and was followed on to the pitch by his father Andy Flavell along with his front row partner in scrummaging Jimmy Whyte. The latter two’s impact was immediate, the Dragoons’ scrum unceremoniously shoved backwards.

Despite Perthshire’s set piece dominance, the Dragoons were getting more possession in the open and holding on to it. A good build up after some rash Perthshire penalties gave them field position to launch numerous attacks on the Perthshire line. The forwards held them at close quarters but it went out to the centres and a fantastic offload over the tackle into the arms of the charging Cabemaiwasa saw him squeeze through a gap and score. The conversion hit the post making it 0-24 in the Dragoons favour.

Tiredness and injuries forced further changes to the Perthshire squad with William Campbell, Allan Guild and Jimmy Whyte (Jnr) taking to the pitch to give a front row dominated scrum for the remainder of the match. Jonny Armitt moved to scrum half and Dan Rae to stand-off, no one would strike with impunity against their half-back partnership and Perthshire’s attack became more direct.

Calm heads and wisdom from the veterans were key to Perthshire fightback. With a makeshift lineout 5m out from the line a short ball went to Jimmy Whyte (Snr) at the front and he demonstrated footwork and power in equal measure to breeze past then crash over the defenders for a try in the corner. Unconverted the score was now 5-24.

Perthshire fielded the kick-off and tried in earnest to capitalise on the momentum shift. Both teams were tiring and mistakes crept in. Great defensive work rate from Dan Rae, Ewan Woods and Angus Walker steadied the line when needed. Meanwhile Callum Croughan was getting the opportunity to run in the open and made use of strike running from Rab Pittendreigh and Jay Pettie up the touchlines. Thus the last substitutions were made, which saw Perthshire’s Stevie Wilkie pull on the Dragoons’ jersey in the front row to join his former regiment.

In the final phase of play Perthshire pushed deep in to the opposition 22 and set up multiple rucks inching towards the line. And so as the final whistle beckoned Jimmy Whyte (Jnr), not to be outdone by his father, burrowed over the line with 4 Dragoons hanging on to him but somehow managed to ground the ball. It ended Perthshire XV 10-24 Royal Scots Dragoon Guards XV.

This match was a true spectacle and entertainment for those who came to watch. The spirit of gameplay was excellent with both teams providing a fun, fast game. Perthshire Rugby is a family, it was great to see two fathers each with their sons on the pitch during the match. A huge thanks to Fin Hay, Richard Haggart and Lt Tom Walpole for organising the anniversary match. The 150th Anniversary season is drawing to an end, but there are still a few more events to happen including the Perth Beer Festival on weekend 10-12th May.

League action returns to the North Inch this coming Saturday 16th March when Perthshire welcome West of Scotland for an earlier 1pm kick-off. All are invited to come down and support the boys in this critical match and then to join the Club in That Bar later for the remainder of Six Nations Super Saturday, including the Calcutta Cup match at 5pm.

Team photo
Back row (L-R): Liam Flavell, James Whyte, Will Campbell, Dan Rae, Jay Pettie, Ewan Woods, Rab Pittendreigh, Kieran Ramsay, Ewan MacKessack-Leitch (Club Captain), Dave Lewis, Richard Haggart, Jonny Armitt, Taylor Mair, Stevie Wilkie.
Front row (L-R): Allan Guild, Andrew Flavell, Jack McIntosh, Ewen MacDonald, Callum Croughan, Ali Nisbet, Angus McGeoghie, Angus Walker.
Missing: Jimmy Whyte.