Perthshire 36 – 25 Ardrossan Academicals

Ramsay hattrick helps ‘Shire in second half fightback

The emotions of the Perthshire supporters swung from utter despair to sheer delight as the Eagles overturned a 12-22 deficit at half time into a 36 point try fest at the end. Shire were 5 points down within 2 minutes as Ardrossan’s strong runners forced a penalty and then ran in for an unconverted try. The weather conditions were atrocious and the swirling wind and driving rain made handling and kicking very difficult. Perthshire tried to keep the game tight and were rewarded after 10 minutes when Matt Jenns finished off several phases of play to batter over the line.

Ardrossan made several surging breaks from the back of the scrum and although the Perthshire defence was generally strong it eventually caved in and Ardrossan took full advantage to score two tries in quick succession. Perthshire looked rattled and they started to fall off tackles and concede penalties allowing Ardrossan to dominate this spell of play; although they managed to win a penalty which was kicked into touch and the forwards took the ball magnificently from the lineout. A well-controlled maul charged over the line and Kieran Ramsay claimed the touchdown to bring Shire right back into the game.

However, Shire’s penalty count was destroying their attempt to maintain any sort of control over the game and when they conceded their tenth penalty of the half, Ardrossan took it quickly and with a two man overlap they cantered in for another 7 points on the stroke of half time. Shire suffered a further blow when Ewen MacDonald, who was a huge influence in the scrum as well as carrying the ball, had to retire injured.

Another blow early in the 2nd half saw centre James Armstrong carried off and Mat Rae had to move to centre from the wing but whatever Alan Clark said to the boys at half time certainly had the desired effect. The forwards kept hold of the ball in the tricky conditions and every single one of them played their part in driving into and beyond the Ardrossan defence. They drove up to the Ardrossan line but a certain try was lost after they were penalised yet again but when they regained possession, Scott Alcorn was sent clear and 99 times out of a 100, he could be relied on to outpace his opposite number but on this occasion he was caught and tackled.

Shire didn’t give up though and after another series of pick and drives from the forwards that man Ramsay did it again as he dived under the posts. Shire were on fire now and although there might not have been any frills about their game plan it was very effective. After another series of forward drives, Aidan Watson elected to spread the ball wide and this time Jay Pettie’s strong running resulted in a try right at the corner flag and he did a good job to stay in play despite being tackled on the line.

Ardrossan hit back with a penalty to regain the lead after a high tackle but once again the Eagles’ forwards took control and although all eight forwards plus centre Mat Rae were involved it was Kieran Ramsay who delivered the killer try and with Calum Bruce’s conversion, Shire were back in the lead.

Dan Rae in his first match back since injury crowned a typical tenacious display with his try to seal Shire’s first victory of the season. All of Perthshire’s forwards deserve special mention for their efforts and if this can be repeated then we should look forward to many more victories.

This match will have done wonders for confidence in the 1XV, but the players will realise that conceding a penalty every 4 minutes on average in the first half was instrumental in their slow start. Next up is an away trip to the undefeated Hillhead Jordanhill which promises to be a real humdinger of a game. All supporters are most welcome to travel on the team bus which will leave the Clubhouse at 12:30pm.

The 2XV suffered a Deflating Defeat at Dundee, but Dave Lewis’ men will take inspiration from the 1s at training this week to put right the wrongs ahead of facing Grangemouth 2XV on the North Inch this Saturday 3pm, all supporters not going to Glasgow welcome to cheer on the 2s.

Photos taken by Peter Wilkinson

Perthshire 20 – 49 Lasswade

Alan Clark’s team secure try bonus point in defeat to quality opposition.

The sun shone and day was set up for some exciting rugby, following on from the Perthshire Rugby Club Day, it was great to see such support on the touchlines for the 1XV & 2XV matches; and the crowds on the North Inch were not disappointed by the quality of rugby on display.

From the off this was an intensely physical and quick paced affair. Perthshire received the kick-off but fumbled the ball, so immediately were on the backfoot. The defence held and leading from the front Mat Rae won a turnover to relieve the pressure. Perthshire managed to break out down the right wing before working to the other side where a stretched Lasswade conceded a penalty around halfway.

Perthshire patiently worked through the phases as Lasswade gave away nothing in defence. Then using his power James Armstrong took a wide ball to work up into the 22. A series of quick rucks followed and Armstrong was there to finish the move with a carry from the base of the ruck to surge over the line for an unconverted try.

Restarts would beleaguer Perthshire all day and again they dropped this one. However, with the ferocious tackling and work on the ground neither team could gain an advantage as both sides exchanged attacks & turnovers without escaping the 10m lines.

Referee, JP Doyle, who was previously officiated at the Rugby World Cup, Six Nations and Heineken Cup was being fair on the whistle but Perthshire were guilty of slowing the ball down illegally. Lasswade opted to go for the posts, but missed. Jay Pettie took the ball and rather than touch down for the drop out, he ran out of his 22 before kicking ahead. In retreat, Lasswade were disorganised allowing Calum Chalmers to steal the ball around halfway. On the counter Perthshire were maybe too keen and Jonny Armitt’s next kick through returned the ball to Lasswade who made no mistake this time and powered down to the ‘Shire line. This was repelled by another stunning turnover from the back row and booted clear.Lasswade started to benefit from penalties at keenly contested rucks and stayed on the front foot. Awarded a scrum 30m out their luck held and they sent an up & under into 22 where there was no defender allowing the onrushing centre a simple catch and run in to score.

Perthshire struck back quickly securing the restart. Aidan Watson at 10, identified a mismatch and skipped round the defender to sprint downfield. Hauled down short the ball was fired out to the right wing where Jay Pettie used his speed and the remaining centimetres of the pitch to evade the tackles and squeeze over a try in the corner. Aidan Watson missed the conversion making the score 10-7.

This was an energetic half and still the action came. Hits were hard and resolve was strong, no team backed down. In particular the back rowers Kieran Ramsay, Calum Chalmers and James Mair were devastating in attack and defence. Meanwhile James Armstrong was working well with centre partner Mat Rae to cause all sorts of trouble in the wider channels.

The next to score were Lasswade, the ball spurt out from a ruck and the Midlothian men were quickest to react, kicking it through and diving over before the ‘Shire cover could get there. Converting the try they took the lead, 10-14.

Perthshire gave Lasswade too much space at the restart and after a quick ruck, their prop somehow found a clear park in front of him and charged near 20m before getting stopped. In behind, the retreating cover were unable to stop Lasswade who used quick hands and pace for a flowing move to extend their new lead with a converted try in the corner.

The lively action continued, the large crowd could hear and feels the hits, Kyle MacKinnon chief amongst the Black & White shirts battering his opponents. The temperature rose on the pitch as Lasswade illegally tipped James Armstrong upside down in a ruck clear out. The penalty went to the corner, lineout secured but the waves of attack were pushed back. It was the final play and Perthshire stilled endeavoured forward. James Armstrong & Kieran Ramsay fed off each other’s power crashing forward on short balls until Ramsay surged over the whitewash. With the kick again wide, it stood 15-21 at halftime.

Lasswade are a quality outfit and must be aiming to top the league this year. Head Coach Alan Clark asked for more of the same in the second half, could Perthshire maintain the intensity and discipline to see out the match?

The first 10 minutes were all Lasswade. Slowly but effectively they ramped up the pressure and creeped towards the ‘Shire line. No matter the outstanding efforts in defence, Lasswade were irrepressible eventually pushing forward to score against the base of the post. Minutes later they were back under the sticks following some soft hands and fast feet outfoxing ‘Shire to build a commanding 15-35 lead.

The replacements came on and made an impact, Jack McIntosh at scrumhalf took over from Andrew Sanderson who impressed on his 1XV debut in the 9 shirt, but was maybe not up to speed when he was caught at the base of the scrum and split the ball. Lasswade took advantage to quickly snaffle it, ship it wide and a series of 3 offloads saw them cross the line.

It wasn’t over and Mat Rae, who’s growing well into the role of Captain, rallied his players. Jack McIntosh started the counter with a scintillating break from his own half and was just caught with 10m to go. Matt Jenns hot on his heels brilliantly secured the ruck and quick ball was sent to the corner where Ross Goodison was rebuffed with inches to go. Lasswade had infringed, the penalty was taken quickly and after 2 phases Angus Walker, capped off his fine performance, burrowing over for a try. This bonus point try also went unconverted.

The final minutes ticked on with both teams clearly running on empty. Lasswade sneaked another score before the final whistle. What a performance, in a quality match that took everything out of the players to end 20-49.

Perthshire secured their first points of the league and have improved again. Alan Clark has an improving squad and though bruised and battered most players came out of the battle with Lasswade fit for next week’s challenge, the long away trip to Berwick.

This performance was buoyed by the 2XV who recovered from a slow start to better Strathmore 2XV, winning 40-17. The full report “Fun in the Sun on the North Inch” can be read on the 2XV page.

Photos taken by Peter Wilkinson & Heather Kirkman.

Victory over Panmure but then Perthshire fall to the better controlled Harris FP

In the only preseason fixture and the first matches since rugby returned from the pandemic lay off, Perthshire welcomed squads from Panmure and Harris FP to the Inch for a 3-way triangular tournament of 40 minute games.

Perthshire 24 – 7 Panmure

First off the hosts took on Panmure, who due to late call offs were fielding a make-shift team. The early exchanges tested each team in the midfield, but handling mistakes and disciplined defence snuffed out any attacking momentum.

The deadlock was broken a few minutes in when Aidan Watson quickly took a penalty, grubbered downfield but the Panmure fullback just won the race to ground the ball. From the drop out some quick passes allowed Ross Goodison to find space outside his man, he stepped and evaded the cover defender to score out wide for an unconverted try.

The next period of the game saw Perthshire making life hard for themselves. Repeated mistakes, knock-ons and offside penalties gave territory & possession to Panmure. With an advantage being played, Panmure’s former Perthshire player, Ethan Snitch gambled on a cross field kick, it landed short of the line but Jarron collected in a dive and slid over to score. Snitch converted to put Panmure ahead 5-7.

Another period of defence for Perthshire followed but then the men in Black & White begun to lift the tempo and their game. Spurred on by new recruit Calum Chalmers’ having a good day winning turnovers at the ruck, Shire got into the Panmure half and were awarded a scrum. Another new player, Andy Sanderson, at scrumhalf darted blind from the scrum and made it deep into the 22 before being stopped, the offload just knocked on, but Perthshire had awoken their attacking instincts.

Panmure could not escape their half such was the intensity of Shire’s resolve. James Mair leading from the front won a penalty which Aidan Watson took quickly. A dart forward then sent through the hands to Luca Bertré who finished the move in the corner to score on his debut for Perthshire. Calum Bruce was short with the conversion.

From the restart James Mair took the ball and a quick play sent it out to Jay Pettie on the wing. Needing no invitation he put on the afterburners and used his dancing feet to flummox 3 defenders over his 60m dash to the line. Calum Bruce added the extras, 17-5.

It wasn’t quite over in the final 3 minutes Perthshire defended the midfield well. A quick turnover and Aidan Watson alive to it chipped ahead; Jay Pettie collected and beautifully out manoeuvred the cover defence for a near carbon copy in scoring his second try. The conversion added, full time and Perthshire had won 24-7.

The next match was a Dundee derby with Harris FP coming out on top 22-0. The team from Elliot Road have built a big squad and were nearly able to field two separate teams, Perthshire knew this would be a tougher test. The message from Head Coach Alan Clark, was to play rugby, keep up the pace and attack whenever possible.

Perthshire 5 – 15 Harris FP

From the off this was a tense affair, both teams somewhat edgy with intensity in defence making it difficult for either to progress. Around the 5 minute mark, Harris came close but the last pass missed the winger and sailed into touch.

James Mair safely took the lineout allowing Perthshire to clear. The pace and aggression continued to rachet up, Kyle MacKinnon making a welcome return to the North Inch using his power to secure a great turnover giving Perthshire their first proper attacking platform.

The lineout went awry, Harris took possession but were going nowhere, stopped time and again by the Black & White wall before them. Changing things up a chip over the top landed with an ugly bounce for Shire; the space it opened allowed Wilson to gather and score unopposed in the corner for an unconverted try.

This roused Perthshire, James Mair broke through and away down the middle of the field. Jay Pettie took in on further down wing. The ball was spun out to the space on the other side but the last pass was too hard and flew straight into touch ending a great phase of play.

A steal in the ensuing lineout and Shire should have pressed the advantage, instead a dropped ball was scooped up by the Harris centre who scorched over 40m before caught and brought down by Pettie who’d used his electric pace to catch his man. Perthshire turned the ball over and relieved the pressure and that was the end of an intense first 20 minutes.

In the final 20, Clarky asked his players to go out and show the attacking form they have and keep the defensive intensity. It didn’t go to plan. Perthshire dropped the restart and were immediately under pressure. The scrum became a weapon for Harris as Shire’s creaked under the weight. A quick ball from the base sent out to the wing, saw Peter Cowen dot down in the corner against his teammates from a few seasons ago. With the conversion missed, Perthshire were 0-10 down with 16 minutes left.

The opportunities came but were missed, the scrum and lineouts were unreliable and Shire were guilty of forcing play & making life hard for themselves. The penalty count started to mount against Shire; and Harris looked more up for the fight.

Mat Rae, playing for the first time as Captain, stood up and led by example, bursting through a couple of times running hard lines and cutting angles. Aidan Watson & Jack McIntosh injected pace into attack with one particular break between them making 50m. The support was lacking or passes missed and these chances would go.

A penalty awarded to Harris resulted in a lineout about 10m from the line. Their forwards created a maul that trundled irrepressibly to the line. The ball came out and a few short phases down the blindside were all that was needed to squeeze over the whitewash.

Still fighting, Perthshire’s short restart was claimed while Harris took their eye off the ball. Mat Rae and Jack McIntosh combined to find some space working into the 22. Awesome rucking support from Tom Colvin & Calum Chalmers provided quick ball, pressure was mounting as Shire pummelled the right side of the pitch. Sensing the opening, Calum Bruce sent a cross field kick to the left, it was beautifully weighted to land in Jay Pettie’s arms for a try as the final act of the match. The missed conversion left it 5-15 in Harris’ favour.

Lessons learned and progress to be made. Perthshire showed resolve in defence and creativity in attack. There’s work to be done, the set piece certainly needs bolstered, but not bad for a first run out in 18 months.

The leagues commence next weekend, beginning an intense run of 13 matches over 15 weeks. The 1s will face Murrayfield Wanderers at their new pitch which is shaping to be a big day for the hosts. The 2s play Bannockburn on the North Inch, a stern test awaits. Matches kick-off at 3pm, supporters welcome to travel on the bus to Murrayfield or head down to cheer on the 2s at home.

Rugby is back!