Blair Settle for Losing Bonus in Fife

Saturday 09 April 11, the Blairgowrie senior squad travelled to Rosyth for their last league match of the season against second placed Fife Southern RFC. From the kick off it was Blairgowrie who applied the early pressure and this paid off with a well taken try by Mike Lee ably converted by Stephen Souter. Stephen quickly added two well taken penalties with Fife replying with an unconverted try to make the half time score Fife Southern 5 Blairgowrie 13. The home side added second unconverted try soon after the restart with Stephen Souter extending the lead again for Blairgowrie with a third penalty. Early in the second half Blairgowrie were very unfortunate to lose captain Fraser Bissett, Mike Lee and Rory Philip through injury and with the game drawing to a close and Blairgowrie looking as if they had caused a major upset they unfortunately failed to clear a loose ball allowing a Fife player to score an easy try which was successfully converted to make the final score Fife Southern 17 Blairgowrie 16 with Blairgowrie having to settle for a well earned losing bonus point. Team: Al Guild, Rory Philip, James Buchanan, Ewen Morrison, Mark Reddin, Neil MacRae, Mike Lee, Liam McLaren, John Cockburn, Gavin Wynd, Fraser Bissett, Peter Duncan, Michael Black, Michael Grant, Stephen Souter, Charlie Leadbetter.

This was an excellent performance by the Blairgowrie and had they not had to play the last half hour with 14 players they may well have caused a major upset by beating a strong Fife Southern team. Blairgowrie played some of their best rugby of the season particularly during the first 20 minutes of the game with Kiwi Mike Lee the back line of Fraser Bissett, Peter Duncan and Michael Black playing particularly well and full back Stephen Souter putting in some superb try saving tackles in the second half of the match. Following the match Blairgowrie captain Fraser Bissett thanked the referee for a good game and for Fife Southern for a hard fought match and for their hospitality. Man of the match points were awarded to Gavin Wynd – 1 point, Ewenm Morrison & Michael Black – 2 points each, and Stephen Souter – 3 points and the  Man of the Match award. With all league games now having been played Blairgowrie finished in a commendable 4th place and with a  few less injuries particularly during the early part of the season may well have finished higher up in the league which was deservedly won by a strong Madras squad.

Training continues on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the J J Coupar Park in preparation for the last competitive action of the season which will be on Saturday 30th April when Blairgowrie travel west to take part in the Crieff 7’s tournament.

The annual presentation of club trophies (and a BBQ) will take place at the clubhouse on Saturday 7th May and all those who played in the senior squad this past season are asked to attend for an official 2001/2011 club photograph.

The annual Rugby Club Golf outing will take place this year at the Blair Atholl Golf Club on Saturday 21st May  - more details from Duncan MacRae – Tel - 01250873579 or on the club website. Other dates to note in diaries are Rugby Club AGM – 5th June,  Ruby Club Beach Day – 25th June and Blairgowrie Ten’s Tournament – 20th August – again more details on website at www.blairgowrie-rfc.co.uk