Season’s end was ‘revenge’

May 30 2008

THE Sevens season came to an end in Kirkcaldy at the weekend.

Perthshire had an immediate chance to avenge a hefty defeat from Kirkcaldy at last week’s Midland’s Sevens at the semi-final stage in the opening pool game.

This game was a much tighter affair with Perthshire producing some of the best sevens play they have shown all season.

The attack was patient and the defence was organised, while Keir Doe had some great tackles in his sweeper roll.

Pete Saunders opened the scoring with a score under the posts in the first-half.

A well-worked score after the break, finished by Geraint O’Driscoll, put the game beyond Kirkcaldy despite their break-away score before the final whistle.

Tony McGuiness was unlucky to be illegally tackled on his way to the posts or it would have completed one of the tries of the season, the ball passing through nearly every player’s hands to create the opening.

This result all but guaranteed Perthshire a place in the final with straightforward games against Grangemouth and Waid, both of which were seen off in convincing manner, the latter finishing at 55-0.

Howe of Fife came through their group to meet Perthshire in the final.

This proved to be another great game of sevens. At half-time the scores stood at 7-7, with Perthshire looking the stronger at this stage. After the break a score from Tommy Simpson broke the deadlock, but Howe responded quickly with a break-away score from their own 22.

Perthshire squandered a great opportunity shortly after and the game seemed to swing in favour of the Fife team.

With Perthshire forcing the issue, Howe seized two interceptions, resulting in two unanswered scores to take the game.

Perthshire arguably played the better rugby but this was no consolation for the players.

After a disjointed start to the sevens season, the team can look back on two finals and two semi-finals.

Unfortunately they took runners-up medals in both finals but with a young team perhaps consistency next season can help rectify this.

A big thank you goes to all the players for their efforts over the last month and Andy Cummins for coaching.