Blair End Season on a Losing Note

Saturday 14 Apr 12, saw a large crowd at the J J Coupar Park where the Blairgowrie senior team were hosting Carnoustie RFC in the last game of the season in the RBS Midlands League Division II. Having beaten Carnoustie on their own patch earlier this season this was always going to be a keenly contested match and so it proved with the visitors fielding a much stronger team than they had done so earlier in the season.

Blairgowrie got off to a good start pinning the visitors back in their own 22 metre area for the early part of the game and should have scored following a lineout in the corner but the ball was knocked on and an early scoring opportunity was lost. Blairgowrie did however take the lead through a penalty from Stephen Souter and were once again unlucky not to score after a clever up and under by full back John Cockburn but unfortunately for the home side there was insufficient support on hand when he collected his own high ball.
Carnoustie gradually came more into the game with their stand off dictating play which eventually paid off with a try in the corner to put them into a 2 point lead. Stephen Souter then put the home side back into the lead with another penalty but also missed a couple of penalties to extend the lead. With the first half drawing to a close Carnoustie broke through the middle of the home defence to score under the posts to make the half time score Blairgowrie 6 Carnoustie 12.

From the restart it was the home side who once again applied the early pressure with Mark Reddin breaking off the back of the scrum to feed the ball to Fraser Maxwell who broke through a number of tackles to allow John Cockburn to score in the corner.   Both teams at this point were playing some good rugby but it was the visitors who went on to extend their lead with a further two tries after some poor tackling by the Blairgowrie defence. With the game drawing to a close a Carnoustie player was yellow carded but despite some good breaks by Michael Black, Fraser Maxwell and John Cockburn Blairgowrie failed to add to their earlier scores with the final score Balirgowrie 11 Carnoustie 24.

Team: Stewart Flatley, Graham Merry, Ryan Walker, Mark Reddin, Ewen Morrison, Russell Edward, Kev Brown, Neil MacRae, Gavin Wynd, Stephen Souter, Fraser Maxwell, Peter Duncan, Michael Black, Liam McLaren, John Cockburn, Craig Thoms, Davie Grieve, Russell Waddell, Duncan Campbell, Robert Larsen, Stevei Stewart.

Following the match coach Alan Webster thanked Carnoustie for a good game and referee Alan McGuire for an excellent performance. Thanks were also relayed to Match Sponsor Alan Bannerman, Callum, Jock and Pete for preparing the pitch, Ralph Donaldson for preparing the sponsors lunch and Gordon and Clem for manning the bar.

Man of the match points were awarded to Kev Brown, Russell Edwards & Mark Reddin – all 1 point, John Cockburn – 2 points and Neil MacRae – 3 points and the Man of the Match award.

There will be training this Thursday (19th) and again next week in preparation for the Crieff 7’s which takes place on Saturday 28th April. There will be spaces for some supporters on the bus going to Crieff. Anyone interested in going please contact Duncan MacRae – 07960366437.
The Annual Rugby Club Golf outing which takes place this year at the Blair Atholl Golf Club on Saturday 19th May is now fully booked. Payment to Duncan MacRae please.
Please note that the Rugby Club AGM will take place at the clubhouse at 7.30 pm on Friday 1st June. All players and members are encouraged to attend.