A tension-filled victory for Shire

Jan 23 2009

Perthshire14

Morgan FP 12

THE match between these two clubs was expected to be the usual torrid affair, but with Morgan still having a chance of promotion, there was a distinct added edge to this clash.

Morgan started out as the stronger outfit and took the lead through a Kiddie penalty in just five minutes, but ferocious tackling from Shire’s forwards and backs alike prevented them from threatening to add rapidly to the scoreline with a try. 

Then James Fleming went on to slot in a penalty for Shire and five minutes later repeated the same to slip Shire into the lead.

But with a Kiddie equaliser, by half-time both teams were level once again.

Tensions simmering just below the surface erupted after half-time and some shenanigans in the murky depths of the front row ended with the referee yellow-carding Shire’s elder statesman Jimmy Whyte and Morgan’s hooker.  

As the game went on, the tackling from both teams was ferocious but fair and Shire’s midfield of Matt Smith and Craig Assenti put in some very big hits. 

Mackinnon, Coull and Anderson made sure that most of Morgan’s attacks were cut off at the source with some bone-jarring tackles. 

Kiddie once again squeezed Morgan into the lead with another penalty, but five minutes later Fleming got Shire back in the game when he converted a monstrous penalty.

The game was on a knife edge and just one mistake could decide the winner. 

Then the away side slipped up. Morgan’s coaches had emphasised to their players not to put in any loose kicks which Shire’s full-back Fleming could exploit, but one kick didn’t find touch and the twinkle-toed tornado gathered the ball in space in his own 22. 

He was caught five metres from the line but stretched every inch of his frame to ground the ball and Shire got the breakthrough they badly needed. 

Kiddie launched another penalty to bring Morgan within two points.

And in a nail-biting finale, in the final move of the day, Kiddie was given the opportunity of snatching the lead with another penalty. 

But his long kick just failed and the North Inch could erupt with joy as Shire emerged victorious and the side could feel satisfied with their well-earned four points.

Saturday’s match is away against Ardrossan.  Meet at 9.45 to leave at 10 am. 

The bus will be returning at 4.30pm for anyone who wishes to attend the club’s annual Burns Supper.