Well Earned Win for Blairgowrie
Saturday25 Feb 11 Blairgowrie played hosts to Kinross RFC in the RBS Caledonia Midlands League at the J J Coupar Park. Having lost to Kinross earlier in the season Blairgowrie were looking to improve on last weeks close encounter at Fife Southern and the home side could not have asked for a better start when Davie Grieve scored a try within the first minute of play after an excellent break by Liam McLaren ably converted by Stephen Souter.
Within minutes Blairgowrie added a second try scored again by Blairgowrie’s No 8 Davie Grieve after a great run from near the half way line and at this point things looked ominous for the visitors. Blairgowrie however failed to build on this good start by continuously giving away possession and being penalised far too often for handling on the deck which eventually led to a Blairgowrie forward being sin binned for persistent fouling. With a one man advantage Kinross came more into the game pinning the home side back in their own half for long periods and scoring three penalties in the process to make the half time score Blairgowrie 12 Kinross 9.
With coach Peter Ireland making a number of changes at the interval Blairgowrie started the second half much as they had done in the first half with Michael Black scoring in the corner after he had evaded a number of tackles en route to the try line. Blairgowrie were now starting to play much better rugby and were unlucky not to score a fourth try after a great break by Fraser Maxwell but the referee deemed that the ball had not been grounded. With ten minutes of the second half gone Kinross were reduced to 14 men when one of their defenders was sin binned for a dangerous tackle with Stephen Souter successfully converting the penalty from in front of the posts.
Blairgowrie’s fourth try was soon to follow after a good break by Fraser Bissett with Russell Edward touching down in the corner. Despite having already secured a winning bonus point Blairgowrie continued to pressurise the Kinross defence and following an excellent break by stand off Stephen Souter the ball was fed out to Fraser Maxwell who released full back John Cockburn to race in at the corner for a well worked try. Minutes later Man of the Match Michael Black once again broke through the Kinross defence to score near the posts converted by Stephen Souter. With the game drawing to a close Blairgowrie were once again guilty of some sloppy play allowing Kinross to progress upfield which eventually resulted in a converted try for the visitors. With minutes of the game remaining full back John Cockburn burst through the Kinross defence and with the Blairgowrie backrow there in support the ball was finally fed out to Ryan Walker to score which Stephen Souter converted to make the final score Blairgowrie 44 Kinross 16.
Team: Ryan Walker, Mike Lee, Ewan Constable, Ewan Morrison, Peter Duncan, Russell Edwards, Neil MacRae, Davie Grieve, Gavin Wynd, Stephen Souter, Fraser Maxwell, Michael Black, Fraser Bissett, Liam McLaren, John Cockburn, Mark Reddin, Timmy Watson, Al Guild, Stewart Flatley, Kev Brown, Callum Michie.
This was a much improved performance by Blairgowrie and while there is still a need to reduce the number of unnecessary penalties being conceded it was pleasing to see the backs running in a few tries.
Following the match captain Mike Lee thanked Kinross and the referee for the game, with thanks also being relayed to Sandy McCurdy who acted as Physio/First Aider for both teams, to Fraser and Stephen for preparing the after match food for both teams and to Gordon and Jake for manning the bar. Man of the Match points were awarded as follows: Kev Brown, Ewan Constable & Fraser Maxwell – 1 point each, Ewan Morrison – 2 points and Michael Black – 3 points and the Man of the Match award.
This Saturday (3rd) Blairgowrie have another home match when they play hosts to Harris FP’s – kick off 3:00.
Training continues on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:00 pm at the J J Coupar Park. New players welcome.