Last Saturday
Blairgowrie RFC played hosts to Panmure RFC who were coming to
the J J Coupar Park currently sitting in second position just
behind Blairgowrie in the Caledonia Midlands District League.
With the home team being led onto the field by mascot for the
day Myles Reid in what could only be described as perfect playing
conditions it was the visitors who started off the stronger of
the two teams putting the home side under early pressure from
the kick off. Blairgowrie's defence held up to this early onslaught
with some excellent defence by the Blairgowrie backs with one
particularly ferocious tackle from centre Fraser Bissett.
Having weathered
the storm it was Blairgowrie who went into the lead after 15 minutes.
Ewan Ireland hoisted a high ball into the Panmure half which was
collected by Peter Duncan who in turn fed the ball to Fraser Bissett.
Despite Fraser being stopped short of the try line the Blairgowrie
forwards were on hand to retain possession for Alan Clarke to
drive over for the opening try with Stephen Souter unfortunately
hitting the post with his conversion kick. This score seemed to
settle the home team who were unlucky not to score a second try
when Gordon Black was unfairly tackled just short of the try line
allowing Stephen Souter to add three points with a penalty kick.
With minutes of the first half remaining Blairgowrie won a scrum
just inside the Panmure 22 meter line with number 8 Kev Brown
picking up at the base of the scrum to feed scrum half Gavin Wynd
who sliced through the opposing defence to make the half time
score Blairgowrie 13 Panmure 0.
From the restart Blairgowrie continued to pressurise the Panmure
defence but on more than one occasion took the wrong option thus
squandering a number of scoring opportunities. Midway through
the second half Blairgowrie increased their lead with a fine opportunist
try by Ewan Ireland who chipped the ball over his opposite number
and out-sprinting the Panmure defence to score under the posts,
converted by Stephen Souter. Blairgowrie then piled on the pressure
for the last 10 minutes of the match seeking the bonus point but
the Panmure defence held out to make the final score Blairgowrie
20 Panmure 0.
This was an
excellent game of rugby with both teams giving it their all while
playing the game in a true sporting manner. While some of the
Blairgowrie players were disappointed that they did not manage
to secure the bonus point coach Peter Ireland was pleased that
the squad had managed to consolidate their top of the league position
with another clean sheet. Man of the Match Ewan Ireland - 3 points;
Eaun Constable -2 points; Gavid Wynd- 1 point .
Squad: James
Buchanan, Robert Larsen, Ross Parsons, Euan Constable, Jackie
Cockburn, Kev Crichton, Alan Clarke, Gordon Black, Tim Watson,
Ewen Morrison, Ryan Walker, Duncan Campbell, Mick Bowen, Kev Brown
(capt), Gavin Wynd, Ewan Ireland, Fraser Bissett, Peter Duncan,
Alan Robertson, Michael Black, Andrew Cowan, Andy MacNiven, Stephen
Souter.
This Saturday (17th) Blairgowrie travel to Rosyth where they meet
Fife Southern RFC with a 2 o'clock kick off. Travel arrangements
will be announced at training which takes place at the J J Coupar
Park at 7.00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
See pictures
here...
