Harris Too Strong for Blair
Saturday 03 Mar 12, Blairgowrie played hosts to Harris Academy in the RBS Caledonia Division II encounter at the J J Coupar Park. Having lost to them in Dundee earlier in the season this was always going to be a difficult match for Blairgowrie and this became clearly evident from the kick off with Harris scoring two well taken tries within the first five minutes of the game. Fortunately Blairgowrie managed to weather the storm with Stephen Souter playing at stand off and Peter Duncan playing at centre both making foraging runs into the visitors half but unfortunately failing to put points on the board. With minutes of the first half remaining the visitors added a third try to make the half time score Blairgowrie 0 Harris FP’s 21.
The second half started much the same as the first half with the Harris No 8 scoring within minutes of the restart to earn the visitors a winning bonus point. Credit to Blairgowrie however as they came back into the game with Fraser Maxwell and Duncan Campbell both very unlucky not to have scored in the corner after some good work by young Stuart Simpson and by second row forward Mark Reddin.
With the game drawing to a close Harris scored their fifth converted try to make the final score Blairgowrie 0 Harris 35.
This was a well deserved win for Harris scoring some excellent tries in the process but credit to the Blairgowrie players who never gave up and despite the scoreline played some decent rugby during the game.
Team: Ewan Constable, Al Guild, Ryan Walker, Mark Reddin, Ewan Morrison, Russell Edward, Davie Grieve, Neil MacRae, Gavin Wynd, Stephen Souter, Peter Duncan, Fraser Maxwell, Liam McLaren, Michael Black, John Cockburn, Stuart Flatley, Callum Michie, Stuart Simpson, Stevie Stewart, Alan Webster.
Following the match captain for the day Neil MacRae thanked Harris and the referee for a good game. Thanks were also relayed to match sponsors Blairgowrie Golf Club, Ralph Donaldson for preparing the sponsors lunch and to Gordon and Clem for preparing the players food and manning the bar all afternoon. Man of the Match points were awarded to Stuart Simpson and Fraser Maxwell – 1 point each, Mark Reddin – 2 points and Stephen Souter – 3 points and the Man of the Match award.
This Saturday (10th) Blairgowrie face yet another daunting task at the J J Coupar Park when they welcome Grangemouth RFC who are currently unbeaten in all competitions this season and look certain to be league champions having already won the Caledonia Regional Bowl competition. Please note that there will be an early kick off at 1:30 pm to allow Grangemouth to get back home to catch the Ireland v Scotland match which kicks off at 17:00.
Members and guests are welcome to come to the Blairgowrie clubhouse to watch the six nations match on the big screen.
The club would also like to thank Davie Grieve and former player Keith Brown for providing the cow and the field for the ‘Cow Pat’ fundraiser. Thanks also to all those who purchased ‘squares’ for this fund raiser. All those going on the club tour to Ireland are reminded that all monies must be paid by this weekend.