Won in the Scrum but not on the Scoreboard

Strathmore 29 – 6 Perthshire

Strathmore pack buckles but Eagles fail to capitalise on scrum dominance.

Injuries and unavailability were again a concern, but the players who took to the pitch this week knew they would get no sympathy from a fired up Strathmore. Always a close and fierce contest, Perthshire knew they had to bring their top game.

It didn’t start well, on receiving the kick-off a miscommunication led to an immediate knock on. Strathmore nearly scored from the scrum but were denied as the referee judged the final pass as forward. The pressure did not release as Strathmore were soon again threatening with a 5m lineout after ‘Shire were judged offside. Great defence, with James Mair & Matt Jenns featuring prominently, repelled the attack winning the turnover but the ball was dropped returning possession readily back to Strathmore. This error was compounded by a ruck infringement, Strathmore took a quick tap to spin the ball out wide and score as Perthshire’s defence were retreating in disarray.

The response from Perthshire was immediate. The pressure on the receiver at the restart kick was immense, Strathmore were pedalling backward and conceded a penalty for diving over the ruck. Jonny Armitt opted to kick and slotted the goal, 5-3.

Perthshire struggled to regain possession; undone by dropped balls, isolated runners and a faltering lineout, thus the next 20 minutes were mostly spent in defence. Strathmore were ratcheting up the gears in power and tempo, but Perthshire matched them with line-speed and chop tackles; Dan Rae, Simon McGarry and Angus Walker leading the charge. Despite winning penalties with the intensity of defence, the lineout did not fire and Perthshire, having just cleared, would be back on the defensive.

After a brief foray into the Strathmore 22 the Forfar men got the break and strode out into Perthshire’s half. A penalty for a high tackle led to a 5m lineout, this was then quickly passed along the line to the openside winger who picked his way round Perthshire’s fringe defenders to dot down in the corner, 10-3.

While lineouts struggled, the Perthshire scrum was dominant. Almost every time on their own ball ‘Shire would earn a penalty, yet this led to nothing, as at the following play invariably the lineout was lost or ball cheaply surrender in contact.

After failing a few times with lineouts close to the try line Jonny Armitt opted to take another shot at goal, this fell just short and the half time whistle blew.

The second half got off to a bizarre start. Perthshire kicked off but were penalised for being offside and Strathmore awarded a penalty on half way. In the confusion over the referee’s Law interpretation, Strathmore took a quick tap and ran into the 22 without any resistance, hauled down the backpedalling defence couldn’t organise in time and Strathmore picked and went to score under the posts, adding the conversion to make it 17-3.

This setback did not deter ‘Shire, they picked themselves up and started to attack with more purpose. Lewis Murrie moved to scrumhalf and Rabson Chipakupaku came on to the wing, both adding a bit of pace to their positions. This was soon rewarded with a penalty 30m out which Jonny Armitt converted to make the score 17-6.

Angus Walker, who was a menace in defence all day, then had to leave the field injured with Will Campbell coming on in his place. The intensity of attack persisted but a Perthshire infringement allowed Strathmore to kick into the 22 for a lineout. The maul was set and trundled a good few metres before the ball was released to the backs who sent it out to the winger for an unconverted try in the corner.

The scrum dominance of props Rhys Darlington and Ewen MacDonald was then eventually rewarded. After 4 consecutive scrums where Strathmore were penalised, the Forfar tighthead was shown a yellow card. With the 1 man advantage gained ‘Shire were guilty of trying too hard and had not earned the right to go wide and were tackled into touch.

The disappointment was compounded by the loss next of Rhys Darlington and Simon McGarry to injury; and the rain started to pour down.

Despite having only 14 men Strathmore dominated the closing minutes. The ‘Shire defence was unyielding always up and forcing Strathmore to play their best. It seemed the storm was weathered as the Eagles’ pressure earned a scrum and the chance to clear. However, the ball was not controlled and popped out the side, reacting quickest the Strathmore centre scooped it up and sprinted through to claim a try under posts. It was converted to make a final score of 29-6.

In many ways Perthshire can look to positives in this performance: an aggressive defence, dominant scrum and pride within the team; but the mistakes and shortcomings at: the lineout, decision making and stringing phases together were too costly. There is room for improvement and with more players returning from injury the difficulties of the last couple of weeks may look like a blip. It’s up to the squad to rally and prepare for Royal High who visit the North Inch in the next fixture.

There was no 2XV match but they too are in action on the North Inch on Saturday as Rosyth Sharks visit to make it a double header in Perth. All supporters welcome to come and cheer on the teams kicking off at 3pm. The Bowling Club will be open afterwards and the Perthshire Rugby Quiz Night follows at 7pm, also in the Bowling Club.

Photos taken by Peter Wilkinson.