Hard Earned Win Against Carnoustie

Saturday 05 Mar 11, the Blairgowrie seniors hosted close rivals Carnoustie RFC at the J J Coupar Park knowing that it would be a keenly contested match with both teams vying for fourth spot in the Caledonia Midland League II. Having narrowly lost at Carnoustie earlier in the season Blairgowrie were keen to make amends and it was the home side who went into an early lead with a Stephen Souter penalty. Although Blairgowrie enjoyed most of the possession in the early part of the game it was the visitors who went close to scoring the first try but a try saving tackle by Peter Duncan prevented a score. With the first 15 minutes of the game having been played at a frantic pace Blairgowrie captain Fraser Bissett made a superb break into the Carnoustie half forcing the visitors to concede yet another penalty which Stephen Souter superbly converted from just inside the half way line. The visitors then quickly responded with a drop goal. This score seemed to spur on the Blairgowrie players with Ewen Morrison, Ryan Walker and Rory Philip putting in some great work in the rucks and mauls. It was following one of Ewen’s charges that the next score emanated from with young scrum half John Cockburn sending out a great pass to Gavin Wynd who then kicked up field. First to the loose ball was the ever present Davie Grieve who hacked on the ball to then score a well deserved try under the posts. Try converted by Stephen Souter. With the first half drawing to a close winger Michael Black broke out of defence but once again the visitors were penalised for preventing the ball coming back allowing Stephen Souter to add another 3 points to make the half time score Blairgowrie 16 Carnoustie 3.

From the restart Blairgowrie started off strongly with stand off Gavin Wynd putting in some excellent kicks pinning the visitors back in their own half for long periods. With both teams having each missed a penalty Carnoustie were reduced to 14 men after their wing forward was red carded but despite this the visitors eased their way up the park scoring a converted try with 10 minutes of the match remaining. With minutes remaining Blairgowrie were awarded a penalty on the half way line but this time Stephen Souter’s attempt just creeped under the bar to make the final score Blairgowrie 16 Carnoustie 10.

As expected this was a keenly contested match with Blairgowrie playing some very good rugby particularly in the first half with forwards and backs combining well. Man of the match points were awarded as follows: Ryan Walker and Peter Duncan - 1 point each, Ewen Morrison - 2 points and Gavin Wynd - 3 points and the Man of the Match award.
 
Team; Mike Lee, Rory Philip, Ryan Walker, Mark Reddin, Ewen Morrison, Neil MacRae, Liam McLaren, Dave Grieve, John Cockburn, Gavin Wynd, Peter Duncan, Fraser Bissett, Michael Grant, Michael Black, Stephen Souter, Kev Brown, James Buchanan, Steve Stewart, Charlie Leadbetter, Ben MacDonald.

Following the match captain Fraser Bissett thanked Carnoustie for a hard fought match, the referee for handling the game well, match sponsors Blairgowrie Golf Club, Ralph Donaldson for preparing the sponsors lunch, Alison Fairnington and Gordon Black for manning the bar and the players who prepared the post match food the previous evening.

There will be no game this weekend with the next League match away to Crieff on Saturday 19th March. Training continues at 7.00 on Tuesdays and Thursday s at the J J Coupar Park. New players always welcome.