Saturday 26
Jan 08, Blairgowrie RFC played hosts to near neighbours Atholl
RFC knowing that a win along with a bonus point would secure the
Midlands league title with 4 games left to play.
With Atholl
having registered a win against Montrose the previous weekend
and Blairgiowrie having not played a competitive league match
for six weeks it was the visitors who dominated the early part
of the game scoring a converted try after just 10 minutes after
Stephen Souter had put the home side into an early the lead with
a well taken penalty .
Atholl continued
to pressurise the home defence but some great tackling by both
the Blairgowrie forwards and backs prevented Atholl from increasing
their early lead who scorned a number of scoring opportunities
during the first quarter of the match. As the game progressed
Blairgowrie came more into the game with Fraser Bissett and Stephen
Souter putting in some try saving tackles. Midway through the
first half Blairgowrie captain Kev Brown secured an excellent
lineout ball on the Atholl 22 metre line which the forwards then
drove all the way to the try line to allow Kev to score Blairgowrie's
first try of the day. Stephen Souter then converted a further
two penalties to make the half time score Blairgowrie 14 Atholl
7.
At this point it looked as if Blairgowrie would struggle to secure
the much needed bonus point but from the restart it was evident
that Blairgowrie had other ideas and following an excellent tackle
in midfield by Gavin Wynd full back Stephen Souter passed the
ball to Duncan Campbell who made a searing run through the Atholl
defence offloading the ball to the supporting Fraser Bisset to
score in the corner. With Atholl again squandering a couple of
scoring opportunities Blairgowrie upped the tempo and following
a well taken high ball by Fraser Bissett back row forward Tim
Watson burst through the Atholl defence breaking a number of tackles
on the way who then fed the ball to the ever supporting Duncan
Campbell who then delivered the final pass to prop forward Euan
Constable who charged over the line for Blairgowrie's third try.
Stephen Souter
then slotted another penalty to put Blairgowrie into a comfortable
lead but the large on looking support were now demanding a fourth
try to secure the bonus point. With 5 minutes of the match remaining
Blairgowrie threw everything at the visitors defence and after
seven or eight phases of play the Blairgowrie forwards drove over
for Ewen Morrison to score the title winning try much to the delight
of the on looking supporters. With Stephen Souter successfully
kicking the conversion the referee blew the final whistle to make
the final score Blairgowrie 34 Atholl 7.
Securing the win and the bonus point ensured that Blairgowrie
remained unbeaten in the league thus winning the Midlands League
title with 4 matches still to play a feat which all the players
and coaches Peter Ireland and Ian Robertson should be very proud
of.
While this win was very much down to a squad effort the man of
the match points were awarded as follows; Kev Brown- 1 point,
Duncan Campbell -2 points and Fraser Bissett - 3 points and Man
of the Match.
Team: James Buchanan, Robert Larsen, Euan Constable, Gordon Black,
Alan Clarke, Ewen Morrison, Tim Watson, Duncan Campbell, Kev Brown
(Capt), Gavin Wynd, Alan Robertson, Fraser Bissett, Michael Black,
Andrew Cowan, Stephen Souter, Jackie Cockburn, Alan Guild, Andy
McNiven, James Larsen, Daffyd Jones.
This weekend Blairgowrie have the long journey to the Western
Isles where they will play Stornoway RFC in the first round of
the Scottish Hydro Electric National Plate Competition. Team selection
and travel arrangements will be confirmed at training on Thursday
evening. Training continues at the JJ Coupar Park at 7.00 on Tuesdays
and Thursdays. Old and new players welcome.
See pictures
here...
