Madras Too Hot For Blair

Saturday 03 Dec 11, the Blairgowrie senior squad travelled to St Andrews for their RBS Caledonia League Division II match against Madras RFC. With Madras having won at the J J Coupar Park earlier in the season this was always going to be a difficult fixture particularly as Blairgowrie had no less than 14 regular players unavailable for selection. Despite Madras opting to play with the wind it was Blairgowrie who applied the early pressure with both Fraser Bissett and Fraser Maxwell making excellent breaks which was rewarded with a penalty in front of the posts ably converted by Stephen Souter. Blairgowrie continued to enjoy much of the possession during the early part of the game with Ewan Morrison and James Buchanan driving at the opposition at every opportunity. Having scorned a couple of try scoring opportunities the home side eventually got on the scoreboard with a converted try in the last minute of the first half to make the half time score Madras 7 Blairgowrie 3.

From the restart it was the home side who had the early pressure with full back Alistair Crear putting a try saving tackle within the first minute of the restart. Blairgowrie however weathered the storm with regular full back Stephen Souter playing at stand off putting in some useful kicks into the oppositions half but which was not quite enough to cause the home side any concern. With less than a quarter of the match remaining and Blairgowrie looking as if they may be able to secure a losing bonus point the fitness of the Madras players began to tell with them running in three tries in the closing stages to make the final score Madras 26 Blairgowrie 3. Despite the final scoreline Blairgowrie played well in parts with young Callum Michie playing particularly well in the back row but the fact that Blairgowrie had so few substitutes meant that they eventually ran out of steam towards the end of the match.

Team: Tim Watson, Ben MacDonald, James Buchanan, Peter Duncan, Ewan Morrison, Russell Edward, Callum Michie, Neil MacRae, John Cockburn, Stephen Souter, Fraser Bissett, Fraser Maxwell, Stevie Stewart, Liam McLaren, Alistair Crerar, Craig Thoms, Alan Webster.
Following the match captain for the day Neil MacRae thanked the referee and Madras for a good game and for Madras Rugby Club for their hospitality. Man of the match points were awarded to JAMES Buchanan, Callum Michie & Ewan Morrison – 1 point each, Fraser Bissett – 2 points and Fraser Maxwell – 3 points and the Man of the Match award.

This weekend (10th) sees Alloa RFC coming to the J J Coupar Park with a 2.00 pm kick off. Team selection will be announced at training.