Eagles’ victory is served on a Plate

May 22 2009 by Les Stewart, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

PERTHSHIRE’S rugby season draws to a halt this week in what has probably been the most exciting seven days of the year.

Last Saturday saw the Eagles’ seven-a-side squad take the Glasgow Warriors to the wire in the Glasgow City Cup before winning the Plate competition in tremendous style.

This was followed by a hugely successful annual dinner and awards presentation where Andy Elder was crowned Player of the Year and Simon Moffat received the accolade of winning the Eden Events Players’ Player of the Year, while the Colts won the Team of the Year award.

On Wednesday night, supported by 20 club members, Shire's most exciting player, James Fleming, travelled to the Scottish Rugby Union's headquarters to receive the Premier 3 Player of the Year award from Jill Douglas, of BBC Scotland.

The evening is the showpiece of Scottish Rugby and recognises the award winners from the international teams down through the pro teams to the national and district leagues.

Bob Lindsay said: “This was a tremendous honour for Perthshire Rugby Club and James in particular, whose flair has lit up so many games this season.

“He has that special magic which very few players can reproduce and we are delighted for him.

“He has represented his country in the Scottish Universities’ team this season and we know how disappointed he was at missing the seven-a-side season through injury.”

Glasgow City 7s

A VERY young Eagles squad travelled to Glasgow on Saturday and were very conscious of newspaper reports telling them that they were to face a Glasgow Warriors side containing most of the current Scottish international sevens squad.

As a result, the Eagles gave their opponents far too much respect to begin with but after learning that they were matching them for pace and skill, Shire settled down and were unlucky to eventually go down fighting by 31-21 after ending the game as the stronger team.

Ross Angus scored the best try of the match. This result entitled them to play in the Plate competition where Dundee High School awaited them.

And, in a reverse of two weeks ago, Shire thumped their opponents 24-7. Youngsters, Jack Steele and Ross Angus were superb for Shire and Craig Assenti played the sweeper role magnificently.

Premier 1's Glasgow Hawks were Shire's next opponents and, in a thrilling tie, the Eagles again played some dazzling rugby and a 26-17 win saw them reach the final.

Cartha Queen’s Park had the slightly easier route to the final but they were no match for Shire in this form.

In a breathtaking display of attacking rugby and stout defending, Perthshire lifted the trophy and prize money by winning 38-0 and proudly carried them to the annual dinner to display in front of the 100 or so guests.

Once again the sevens circuit has been a resounding success and youngsters such as Angus and Steele now realise that they and Shire are good enough not only to compete with the best but actually beat them.

Perthshire have accepted their first invite to next season's Border King of the Sevens tournament from Selkirk on August 23.