Blair are Hot to Handle for Madras

Saturday 10 Sep 11,  the Blairgowrie senior team played hosts to Madras RFC for their RBS Caledonia League Div II match at the J J Coupar Park. With Madras having won last seasons league unbeaten and currently sitting at the top of the league it was going to be a testing game for Blairgowrie. With playing conditions near perfect not surprisingly it was Madras who started the game strongly but good defending by Blairgowrie and in particular their back row players Davie Grieve, Russell Edward and Neil MacRae prevented an early score by the visitors. Midway through the first half however a missed tackle by Blairgowrie near the half way line allowed the Madras winger to sprint in for a converted try to give Madras a 7 point lead. Despite this setback Blairgowrie continued to compete well with some probing touch kicks by Gavin Wynd pushing Madras back into their own half for long spells with this pressure eventually paying off with Stephen Souter converting a well taken penalty from the half way line. Both teams were at this point giving one hundred per cent commitment in the tackles and in the rucks but some unscrupulous behaviour by a Madras back row player resulted in Tim Watson having to leave the field as players exchanged blows resulting in the referee having to send a player from each team to the sin bin for ten minutes. With both teams missing penalties towards the end of the first half the half time score remained Blairgowrie 3 Madras 7.

From the restart it was Blairgowrie who applied the early pressure but the experienced Madras back line held firm until Stevie Stewart burst through their back line only for Davie Grieve to be stopped in his tracks with Madras conceding a penalty in the process which Stephen Souter duly converted to the reduce the deficit to one point. With five minutes of the match remaining Madras extended their lead with a penalty but it was the home side who finished the strongest when they found themselves encamped a metre from the Madras try line with seconds of the match remaining. Unfortunately for Blairgowrie the wrong option was taken and the opportunity to win the game was lost. Final score Blairgowrie 6 Madras 10.

Team: Tim Watson, Mike Lee (captain), Ryan Walker, Euan Constable, Mark Reddin, Neil MacRae, Russell Edward, Davie Grieve, John Cockburn, Gavin Wynd, Peter Duncan, Fraser Maxwell, Fraser Bissett, Liam McLaren, Stephen Souter, James Buchanan, Ewen Morrison, Stevie Stewart, Craig Thoms, Kev Brown.

This was a real gritty performance by Blairgowrie with every player showing real commitment against  a strong Madras team who are undoubtedly one of the favourites for the league title this season. The Blairgowrie pack performed particularly well securing good lineout ball throughout the game and giving full commitment at the rucks and mauls. Following the match coaches Alan Webster and Peter Ireland awarded the Man of the Match points as follows: 1 point each to Liam McLaren and Gavin Wynd, 2 points to Davie Grieve and 3 points and the Man of the Match award to Neil MacRae.

There will be no game for the 1st XV this weekend (17th) but it is hoped that a game can be arranged for the 2nds if enough players attend training this week. Training takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.00 pm at the J J Coupar Park. The next competitive match for the 1st XV will be on Saturday 24th when they will travel to Montrose for the first round of the Cup.
This Friday (16th) there will be live music and stovies in the clubhouse. Start 7.30pm. Members and guests most welcome with monies going to Peter Ireland and Sandy McCurdy’s ’Maggies Centre’ charity fund.