Ten Try Win at Arbroath

Saturday 02 Oct 10, Blairgowrie travelled to Arbroath keen to avenge a narrow league defeat at the same ground last year. Blairgowrie kicked off and with Arbroath failing to secure possession of the ball Russell Edward picked it up and sprinted to the try line offloading the ball to the supporting Liam MacLaren to score in the corner and put Blairgowrie into the lead after 10 seconds - surely the quickest try ever scored by a Blairgowrie team. Stephen Souter successfully converted to add a further two points. From the restart Blairgowrie went straight into attack with Michael Black returning to the centre keen as mustard to get on the score sheet and he didn’t have to wait long scoring Blairgowrie’s second try after some good work by forwards Ewan Morrison and Mark Reddin with Stephen Souter converting the try. Blairgowrie were unfortunate to have a try from winger Michael Grant disallowed but Stephen Souter slotted home the resultant penalty to add a further three points. A third try quickly followed after some great work by Russell Edward and Mike Lee in the middle of the park with Michael Black once again taking the final pass at pace and evading three tackles before scoring under the posts converted by Stephen Souter. With Blairgowrie now firmly in command Rory Philip pounced on a loose ball after Arbroath failed to secure their own lineout ball sprinting up the touchliine before throwing out a pass to Ryan Walker who scored in the corner thus securing the 4 try bonus point. With minutes to go before the interval Blairgowrie were unfortunate not to add a fifth try after a superb break by John Cockburn whose pass to Davie Grieve was deemed forward.

Half time Arbroath 0 Blairgowrie 29. From the restart the Blairgowrie forwards secured the ball and after some good interplay between forwards and backs Liam Maclaren threw a superb pass to Davie Grieve to score in the corner with Stephen Souter converting from the touchline. With Blairgowrie enjoying long periods of possession Michael Black completed his hat trick again taking the ball at pace and side stepping his opposite man to score under the posts converted by Stephen Souter. Peter Duncan was the next person to add his name to the score sheet with captain Fraser Bissett scoring the eighth try after he picked up a loose ball on the half way line to sprint in under the posts both tries converted by Stephen Souter. The next try came after a great break from the back of the scrum by Liam MacLaren releasing Gavin Wynd to score under the posts converted by Stephen Souter. With the game drawing to a close Stevie Stewart made a break down the wing only to be tackled on the 22 metre line. With Al Guild clearing out the opposing forwards at the breakdown the ball was fed out to Liam Tweedie who in turn released the final pass to Peter Duncan for his second try of the day and Blairgowrie’s tenth try of the day to make the final score Arbroath 0 Blairgowrie 69.

This was very much a team effort with both forwards and backs combing well at times and had Blairgowrie’s ball retention been better there could possibly have been more tries. Following the match captain Fraser Bissett thanked the Arbroath team for the game and for their excellent hospitality. While all 18 Blairgowrie players contributed to an entertaining game the man of the match points were awarded to Liam MacLaren and Mike Lee - 1 point each, Ewan Morrison -2 points and Michael Black - 3 points and the Man of the Match.

Team: Mike Lee, Rory Philip, Ryan Walker, Ewan Morrison, Mark Reddin, Russell Edward, Liam MacLaren, Davie Grieve, John Cockburn, Gavin Wynd, Peter Duncan, Michael Black, Michael Grant, Fraser Bissett (captain), Stephen Souter, Al Guild, Stevie Stewart, Liam Tweedie.

This Saturday (9th) Blairgowrie welcome Alloa RFC who are currently in third place in the league just above Blairgowrie. Kick off 3.00. Training continues on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.00 pm at the J J Coupar Park. New players welcome.

In last week’s rugby report the match day sponsor was incorrect and should have read “thanks to local businessman Maurice Gellatly for sponsoring the home match against Madras” and not Jim Gellatly as was incorrectly stated.