Ten Try Display at JJ Coupar Park

Saturday 10th Oct 09, Blairgowrie played hosts to Montrose RFC in the Scottish Hydro Electric Caledonia League Division II with young Blairgowrie Rams player Steven Fairnington leading the team onto the pitch in his capacity as mascot for the day .With playing conditions near perfect Montrose kicked off and with Blairgowrie taking possession of the ball they went immediately into attack with Fraser Bissett running through the visitors defence only to be stopped short of the try line. Montrose however failed to clear their line with captain Gavin Wynd taking advantage of the mistake to put Blairgowrie into an early lead.

Blairgowrie quickly added a second try after Gavin Wynd had kicked on and with Neil MacRae dispossessing the Montrose defender the ball was picked up by Ryan Walker playing his first game at prop forward to score under the posts which was converted by ‘Gordon’ Souter.
At this point of the game Blairgworie were playing some really good passing rugby and added another 3 points through a Stephen Souter penalty. The next Blairgowrie try came from Michael Black after a fine individual run from the half way line - converted by Stephen Souter. A fourth try quickly followed from Rory Philips after a good break by Stephen Souter. With minutes of the first half remaining Michael Simpson gave a glorious pass to release the on running Fraser Bissett to make the half time score Blairgowrie 36 Montrose 0.

From the restart Blairgowrie continued to dominate the rucks and the mauls with Michael Black scoring his second and Blairgowrie’s sixth try five minutes into the second half. The seventh try once again came after some great rucking by the Blairgowrie forwards who released Michael Simpson who once again timed his pass to perfection allowing Michael Grant to score in the corner. Despite Blairgowrie’s domination in the loose play Montrose came back into the game and were unlucky not to score midway through the second half. This was a warning call for the home team and from a scrum Gavin Wynd released Michael Simpson who this time made the final pass to young Liam MacLaren to score his first try for the senior squad - converted by Stephen Souter. With the game coming to a close and Montrose reduced to 14 players young Michael Simpson finally got on the score sheet himself with a blistering run through the Montrose defence which was once again converted by Stephen Souter. With a minute of the match remaining Blairgowrie completed the scoring with a fine individual try from Stephen Souter which he ably converted to make the final score Blairgowrie 65 Montrose 0.

Team : Al Guild, Rory Philips, Ryan Walker, Ewen Morrison, Mark Reddin, Neil MacRae, David Grieve, Kev Brown, John Cockburn, Gavin Wynd, Fraser Bissett, Michael Black, Stephen Souter, Michael Grant, Michael Simpson, Euan Constable, Alan Clarke, James Buchanan, Robert Larsen, Jake Cockburn, Cally Gordon, Liam McLaren, Stevie Stewart.
This was a  much improved display by the Blairgworie team and while every single player in the squad contributed to the proceedings special mention must go to David Grieve making his debut for Blairgowrie and to the younger members of the squad John Cockburn, Liam McLaren and Michael Simpson who have now shown that they are now an integral part of this Blairgowrie senior squad.

Following the match captain Gavin Wynd thanked the Montrose players and referee Stuart Graham for a good game, Alan Bannerman and the Red House Hotel for sponsoring the match and Ben Leszkowski for preparing the food for the sponsors and the teams. Man of the match points were awarded to Ryan Walker and Rory Philips both 1 point each, Neil MacRae - 2 points, and David Grieve making his debut for the club 3 points and the Man of the Match.

This Saturday (17th) Blairgowrie have another home league match this time against Waid Academy FP’s - kick off 3.00. Training continues on Tuesday’s and Thursdays at 7.00 at the J J Coupar Park. New and old players always welcome.