Close Encounter at the JJ Coupar Park
Saturday 05 Dec 09, Blairgowrie played hosts to Harris Academy FP’s in the Scottish Hydro Electric Caledonia League Division II encounter. With Harris having only lost one game so far this season and being serious contenders for the league title this was always going to be a tough match for Blairgowrie. From the kick off it was Blairgowrie who applied the early pressure with Stephen Souter putting the home side into an early lead with a well taken penalty from just inside the opponents half. With Blairgowrie coping well with the strong running of the Harris back row players it was disappointing to see some sloppy tackling allow the Harris no 8 to score in the corner to put the visitors into the lead. With both sides failing to convert penalties the signs were that this was going to be a close encounter with some good passages of play from both sides. Yet again however some poor tackling by Blairgowrie allowed Harris to score a second unconverted try but Stephen Souter reduced the deficit with a penalty just before the break to make the half time score Blairgowrie 6 Harris 10.
From the restart it was end to end stuff with both sides having scoring opportunities but it was Harris who made the break with a third try after Blairgowrie failed to retain possession from their own lineout. Some more good passages of play by the Blairgowrie forwards and backs took them back up field with Stephen Souter converting another two penalties to reduce the deficit to 3 points with 10 minutes of the match remaining. Some good pressure by the Blairgowrie pack looked as if they would for a second successive week grab a late victory but unfortunately for the home side the ball was turned over and the scoring opportunity was lost. With the light fading and both teams having given their all the referee blew the whistle for the end of the match with the final score Blairgowrie 12 Harris FP’s 15.
This was a good effort by Blairgowrie and had they not had a couple of missed tackles it could have been a different result but that said Harris were deserving of the win having scored three tries. Credit must go to both teams for an entertaining match with Blairgowrie deserving their losing bonus point for a gutsy display against a well organised Harris team.
Following the match club captain Gavin Wynd thanked the Harris players and referee Ian Ross for a good match. Thanks were also relayed to James Thomson of ‘Nae Bother’ Window Cleaners for sponsoring the match, to Ralph Donaldson for preparing the sponsors meal and to Fraser, Neil, Michael and Gavin for preparing the food for the players. Man of the match points were awarded to Richie Duncan, Gavin Wynd and Stephen Souter - 1 point each, Michael Black - 2 points and Michael Simpson - 3 points and the Man of the Match.
Team: Al Clarke, Robert Larsen, Ryan Walker, Ewan Morrison, Mark Reddin, Neil MacRae, Rory Philip, Kev Brown, Gavin Wynd, Michael Simpson, Fraser Bissett, Michael Black, Ally Walker, Michael Grant, Stephen Souter, Richie Duncan, John Cockburn, Jake Cockburn, Euan Constable. Andy Barnett.
This Saturday (12th) Blairgowrie travel to Pitlochry for their next league match against Athol Highlanders RFC. Team selection and travel arrangements will be announced at training which takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.00 at the J J Coupar Park.