Perthshire fall at home to Falkirk

Oct 3 2008

Perthshire 15- 23 Falkirk

Perthshire 15

Falkirk 23

EVEN the most die hard Shire supporters were a bit nervous when the team list was announced prior to the game.

Out of the reckoning were Jimmy Whyte and Craig Wallace in the front row.

The entire 2nd row of Adam Pattinson and Sandy Forsyth were missing through injury.

Garry Coull was injured in training and Matt Smith was also out of the line up. However, the players who answered the call played out of their skins and were unlucky not to pull off what could have been a momentous victory.

Falkirk fielded a huge set of forwards compared to the Eagles but every Shire player defended as though his life depended upon it.

Craig Assenti opened the scoring in the first couple of minutes when he caught the ball running at the perfect angle and sliced a huge gap through the Falkirk defence to score.

Falkirk's giant pack were winning the majority of possession leaving Shire to defend for long periods.

They were awarded a penalty and had no hesitation belting the ball into touch and following the line out they drove forward before releasing the ball out for the equalising score.

Shire were living on scraps but their backs looked very dangerous on the counter and when Keir Doe managed to hack the ball downfield, he was yelled on his way by the huge Shire support but he was a fraction short to win the race for the touchdown.

Shire's forwards tackled magnificently against their much bigger opponents and were putting in some big hits.

Once again, Assenti left his marker for dead as he raced clear before passing to Fleming who made more ground and a brilliant flick to Doe allowed him to outpace the rest of the defence for a magnificent try converted by Mitchell.

Falkirk were one dimensional in their play but they continued to use their big men to grind Shire down and short of erecting scaffolding, Shire could not fathom a way of winning line out ball.

Falkirk drew level following a line out when they just caught the ball and steam rollered over the line.

Perthshire were the only team trying to play an expansive game but they just could not win enough possession to make it tell.

The tackling from every single player was phenomenal and if they can keep up that work rate then they will surely start collecting points and move out of the relegation zone. Falkirk managed to convert three penalties to one from Mitchell in the 2nd half and this allowed them to come away with a very fortuitous victory.

Tomorrow sees a crucial local derby against Morgan and the Eagles will once again face a hugely experienced pack but if they tackle with the same ferocity as last week they could cause a major upset. Players meet 12.30 leaving at 12.45.

Star ratings are –

*** Callum Mackinnon)

(sponsored by I & H Brown

** Andy Elder – Eden Events

* Rob Mitchell – Retrosport