Saturday 29
Sep, Blairgowrie played hosts to Abroath RFC in the third game
of the leauge with Arbroath having won both league games against
Blairgowrie last season. With the J J Coupar Park in immaculate
condition thanks to the hard work of Callum MacIntosh, Jock Turpie
and Bernard Walton and the sun shining conditions were perfect
for running rugby.
Blairgowrie
were not to dissapoint scoring a try within the first few minutes
of the match through Euan Constable after Euan Ireland had put
the ball into the corner allowing the Blairgowrie forwards to
win the lineout and drive the ball over the line for the young
prop forward to score.
Within 10
minutes Blairgowrie were to add a further try when Euan Ireland
sliced through the Arbroath defence following some excellent interplay
between the forwards and the backs. It was obvious at this point
that Blairgowrie were up for the game with some excellent passages
of play involving both forwards and backs and a third try quickly
followed again through Euan Ireland after he had side stepped
at least three defenders to score under the posts , converted
by Stephen Souter.
Blairgowrie
at this point were playing some excellent rugby pegging the Arbroath
back in their own 22 meter area for long periods with Gordon Black
scoring the fourth try after a sucessfull lienout and drive into
the corner, converted by Stephen Souter.
The next try
came from the backs after a good break by Euan Ireland who fed
the ball to the supporting Duncan Campbell who in turn unselfishly
passed the ball to Michael Black to score in the corner, converted
by Stephen Souter.
With minutes
of the first half remaining Blairgowrie added a sixth try through
Euan Constable after the pack had once again driven a lineout
ball into the corner. Half time Blairgowrie 36 Arbroath 0.
With the home
team now in command coach Peter Ireland made a number of changes
to the lineup and for a short period Blairgowrie took their foot
off the pedal and allowed Arbroath back into the game but some
good defensive work from Fraser Bissett and James Larsen prevented
the visitors from scoring.
Midway through
the second half Blairgowrie were back on the score sheet adding
two well taken tries by forwards Ross Parsons and James Larsen
with Stephen Souter adding another conversion and a penalty shortly
afterwards. With 10 minutes of the match remaining Blairgowrie
continued to pressure the Arbroath defence and following another
good lineout Euan Constable drove over the line to complete his
'hat tricK' of tries for the afternoon.
With the match
nearing completion Blairgowrie gave one more effort and after
at seven phases of play young Lawrence Menzies making his first
team debut drove over for a converted try to make the final score
Blairgowrie 63 Arbroath 0.
While this
was a resounding result for Blairgowrie credit must go to Arbroath
who had a number of key players missing and who travelled to Blairgowrie
despite having only fifteen players available for selection on
the day.
While this
was very much a squad effort particular mention must go to young
debutants Andrew Cowan and Lawreence Menzies who following a superb
display for the 2nds the previous week sloted into the game with
ease. Man of the Match Awards: Euan Constable -3 points, Euan
Ireland - 2 points and Duncan Campbell - 1 point.
Team: Euan
Constable, Robert Larsen, James Buchanan, Alan Clarke, Tim Watson,
Duncan Campbell, Kev Brown (capt), Gavin Wynd, Euan Ireland, Frser
Bissett, Peter Duncan, Alan Robertson, Michael Black, Stephen
Souter, Jackie Cockburn, Mick Bowen, James larsen, Ross Parsons,
Andy MacNiven, Lawrence Menzies, Andrew Cowan. Debut
This Saturday
Blairgowrie play hosts to Crieff RFC in the first round of the
Caledonia Cup - kick off 3 o'clock. Training continues on Tuesdays
and Thursdays at the J J Coupar Park at 7.00. Turnout at training
has been excellent of late and every effort should be made by
all the players to continue with this good work.
See pictures
here...
