Saturday 22 Aug 10, Blairgowrie Rugby Club hosted their 11th Tens Tournament which was sponsored once again by ACTIS (inventors of thin multifoil insulation).With the sun shining on the J J Coupar Park and playing conditions as near perfect as one could get teams from Watsonians, Highland, Panmure, Deeside, Waid and Atholl played a round robin competition with some superb rugby being played throughout the afternoon producing over 100 tries. Blairgowrie kicked off the competition against last years winners Highland RFC narrowly losing 17 - 14 in a keenly contested match with Michael Simpson scoring both tries for the home side.
Blairgowrie’s next match was against Watsonians who have been winners of this tournament on a umber of occasions in the past and who Blairgowrie have failed to beat in previous years. This year was to be different however with Blairgowrie playing some superb rugby to win 21 - 7 with tries from John Cockburn, Michael Black and Michael Simpson. In their third match of the afternoon Blairgowrie faced a strong Deeside team and while they may have failed to repeat their earlier display of fast running rugby they won 12 - 0 with tries from Michael Grant and Rory Philips.
Blairgowrie’s fourth match was against Panmure and once again they produced some great rugby to win 26 - 5 with tries from Liam Tweedie, Rory Philips, Michael Black and birthday boy Stevie Stewart. The next match for the home side was against near neighbours Atholl RFC who they beat 24 - 10 with tries from Michael Grant, Peter Duncan (2) and Stevie Stewart.
With 20 games having been played throughout the afternoon Blairgowrie rounded off the day with a 42 - 5 win against Waid FP’s with tries from Ewan Morrison (2), Peter Duncan (2), Michael Simpson and Michael Grant. Unfortunately for Blairgowrie the narrow defeat against Highland at the start of the day proved to be the deciding match with Highland Retaining the trophy with 6 wins, Blairgowrie winning the Plate with 5 wins and Watsonians taking the Bowl in third place.
Following the presentation of trophies by Barrie Jamieson representing the tournament sponsors ACTIS Club President Duncan MacRae thanked sponsors ACTIS for once again supporting the tournament, ACTIS representative Barrie Jamieson for presenting the trophies, the Blairgowrie Rams who played a challenge match during the afternoon, Stuart Donald, Rob Gillan, Duncan Campbell and Sam Grovewhite for refereeing the 21 matches, Ralph Donaldson and Wacek Leszkowski  for manning the BBQ, Jock Turpie, Callum MacIntosh and Alan Guild for preparing the pitches, Robert Larsen for first aiding, Sandy McCurdy for the use of his PA system and Peter Ireland, Gordon Black and Clem Isbister for helping make the day such a success.
 Blairgowrie squad: Fraser Bissett (captain), Michael Grant, Russell Edward, Stephen Souter,  Neil MacRae, Ewan Morrison, Liam McLaren, Michael Simpson, Rory Philips, Michael Black, Gavin Wynd , John Cockburn, Peter Duncan, Al Guild, Alan Clarke, Timmy Watson, Liam Tweedie, James Buchanan and John Neil.

See the pictures here...

This Saturday (28th) Blairgowrie start their league campaign with a home  tie against Kinross RFC. Team selection will be announced at training which takes place at the J J Coupar Park at 7.00 on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. New and old players welcome.