Harris FP's Too Strong for Blair
Saturday 12 Nov 11, the Blairgowrie senior squad travelled to Dundee for their RBS Caledonia League II match against Harris Academy FP’s with the home side currently three places above Blairgowrie in the league. Despite a few first team regulars missing from the starting line up it was Blairgowrie who started the game strongly with Stephen Souter in the unfamiliar position of stand off putting in some good kicks to touch early in the match. However it was the home side who went into the lead against the run of play after a Harris player intercepted a loose pass in the muddle of the pitch to score near the corner flag. Blairgowrie quickly responded with a great break by centres Fraser Bissett and Fraser Maxwell only for the home side to concede a penalty on their own twenty two metre line which Stephen Souter duly converted. Minutes later a similar move this time involving Stephen Souter and Fraser Maxwell was halted again when a home defender conceded a penalty which Stephen converted to put Blairgowrie into the lead. Unfortunately for the visitors this lead was short lived with Harris scoring two tries before the interval after some good handling by their back line players. Half time Harris 15 Blairgowrie 6.
From the restart it was the home side who applied the early pressure but despite some very good defensive tackling by Duncan Campbell and Russell Edward the home side scored their fourth try to secure the try bonus point. Shortly after this a Blairgowrie forward was sin binned for indiscipline and with the home side taking advantage of the ‘extra’ man they added another two quick tries. Blairgowrie to their credit continued to compete working their way up-field to eventually drive over for Russell Edward to score Blairgowrie’s only try of the afternoon which Stephen Souter converted. With the game drawing to a close the home side added another converted try to make the final score Harris 41 Blairgowrie 13.
Team; Ryan Walker, Graham Merry, Stuart Flately, Ewen Morrison, Duncan Campbell, Neil MacRae, Russell Edward, Mark Reddin, Gavin Wynd, Stephen Souter, Fraser Bissett, Fraser Maxwell, Liam McLaren, Stuart Simpson, Alistair Crerar, James Buchanan, Craig Thoms, Callum Michie.
Credit to Harris who deserved the win but despite what the scoreline might suggest Blairgowrie actually played well in parts of the game with Fraser Bissett and Fraser Maxwell putting in a lot of hard tackles in the centre and Stephen Souter performing well in the unfamiliar position of stand off. Debutants Alistair Crerar and Callum Michie also did well when called upon and if Blairgowrie can take the positives from this game and every senior player commits to training on Tuesdays and Thursdays there is no reason why they cannot get a few more wins under their belt in what was always going to be a very difficult league following the restructuring of the National and Regional Leagues. Man of the Match points were awarded to : Fraser Maxwell, Russell Edward & Fraser Bissett – 1 point each, Duncan Campbell – 2 points and Stephen Souter – 3 points and the Man of the Match.
This weekend (19th) Blairgowrie play Stirling University at the J J Coupar Park with a 2.00 pm kick off with the annual Rugby Club Dinner Dance taking place at the Red House Hotel, Coupar Angus later in the evening at 7.00 pm.