Fifth round Cup spot for Eagles

Jan 16 2009 by Les Stewart, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

Berwick 8

Perthshire 33

THE music and singing resonating from the team bus as it rolled across the border back to Scotland told its own story last Saturday as the Eagles progressed to the fifth round of the Scottish Cup.

This was a satisfying victory in difficult conditions due to the bitter wind blowing across the pitch and, in the end, Perthshire proved just too strong for a stuffy Berwick team.

James Fleming got the Eagles off to a flying start with a penalty after 15 minutes then he set the game alight with a mazy run which only ended 10 metres from the line when he was finally halted.

Shire kept up the constant pressure and a clever Mitchell cross kick almost brought a try but Berwick managed to scramble back to claim the touch down although the referee awarded Shire a penalty.

Elder took it quickly catching Berwick napping and Matt Smith rounded off the move by scoring in the corner with James Fleming landing the monstrous conversion from the touchline.

Berwick took the restart and Craig Wallace caught the ball and propelled himself through the home defence making 40 metres before releasing Ali Anderson who was bundled into touch.

Shire were enjoying a fantastic spell as they put their hosts under the cosh and Fleming landed yet another penalty as the Berwick prop was yellow carded for persistent fouling.

Anderson, Wallace and Simpson combined to produce a phenomenal play resulting in Anderson running under the posts for a try but the touch judge brought play back as he deemed the final pass to be forward.

However, Anderson's try was only delayed for a minute as Shire hit straight back and the captain showed his first effort was no fluke as he repeated the score awarded this time to put Shire into a comfortable 20–0 lead at half time.

Any thoughts Shire had about cantering through the rest of the game were well and truly extinguished as Berwick came at them like rampaging bulls in the 2nd half and they dominated early play. After just 1 minute they went over for a try followed by a penalty and were looking a completely different team. Thankfully Shire kept their composure and the forwards slowly began to reassert themselves and Fleming brought them back into the game with another penalty.

Berwick took advantage of the strong wind by punting long balls deep into Shire territory but such things are food and drink to Shire's full back Fleming and he was quick to counter attack at every opportunity.

He had the supporters of both camps cheering his runs and he left tacklers lying in his wake as he weaved his way up field into the wind.

One such run gained Shire 80 metres and Fleming cleverly fed the ball to the supportand allowed Adam Pattinson to finish it off for a killer try. The game was won.

Fleming converted the try and kicked a late penalty to ensure victory in what was a highly entertaining and exciting match played in very good spirit by both teams.

Tomorrow will be a huge test for the Eagles as promotion chasing local rivals Morgan come to town (KO 2pm).

The 1sts, 2nds, 3rds and Colts are all at home tomorrow for a feast of rugby and match sponsors are Henderson Loggie, Chartered Accountants with The Ring O Bells acting as ball sponsors.

THE Eagles play Selkirk at home in the sixth round of the cup on February 21. Selkirk are third in Premier 1.