Fast forwards go on a victory run

Oct 31 2008 by Les Stewart, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

Perthshire 27

Garnock 17

THE Eagles' forwards have been much maligned this season but they recently got the better of a powerful Dunfermline eight and on Saturday they completely blew away Garnock.

Unfortunately, the wind also blew and made conditions difficult forrunning rugby but the vastly improved Perthshire team adapted much better to the elements and ran out impressive winners against the promotion-chasing Garnock.

Shire got of to a tremendous start and Garry Coull picked up from the base of the scrum, took out the scrum-half and gave Andy Elder the space to launch the ball out wide where Matt Smith crashed over the line.

Mitchell landed a superb conversion from the touchline against a very difficult wind.

Minutes later, Shire captain Smith, in superb form, added to his tally when sheer power, speed and determination took him past three defenders for the second try.

Garnock upped their game and converted a penalty but Simon Moffat soared to collect a line-out ball and a swift passing movement saw it spun out wide where Craig Assenti hit the line at speed and at the perfect angle.

No-one could lay a hand on him as he sprinted over for Shire's third try.

With the wind behind them, Shire pressed hard for the fourth, knowing they would have to withstand the Garnock onslaught in the second-half.

But they were unable to score and ended the half with a 19-3 lead.

Shire's forwards were superb and Kyle Mitchell stole several balls against the head and the back row of Knox, Coull and Mackinnon were outstanding.

Mitchell gave Shire three points from a penalty early in the second-half and Fleming cleverly chipped a ball ahead before nailing the Garnock full-back on his line but they managed to scramble it clear.

Garnock gradually came more into the game and scored a try to reduce the lead but Shire's forwards became even more dominant, although the wind made passing a lottery.

Andy Elder deserves praise for his controlled passing and he did an amazing job finding Mitchell with accurate passes.

The supporters became anxious as both teams battled for tries and Shire's faithful were gasping for breath after a sloppy pass 15 metres from the Garnock try line was intercepted and nobody could stop McCrorie as he galloped the length of the pitch to score.

Shire's lead was reduced to 22-17 but the large crowd urged the Eagles on for the last five minutes and the hugely impressive Craig Assenti settled matters with a cracking try to seal a magnificent victory.

Perthshire's committee, coaches, senior players and helpers held a lengthy and very frank closed doors session last week to reassess the club's performance and future aspirations.

As a result, the club are now totally focussed on improving performance and numbers throughout all the club's youth and senior teams.

Premier 2 in two seasons is the top priority and many far reaching innovations have come out of the meeting and the positives will start to flow very quickly.

One immediate response has seen the return of Ross Browne from Premier 1 side Edinburgh Accies and his experience and skill will bring a huge benefit to the backs.

Perthshire travel to Livingston tomorrow and the boys are capable and confident of securing another five points to cement their progress up the league.

The bus leaves at 11 am and the 2nds travel to Corstorphine with their bus leaving at 11.30.