Eagles swoop in with killer tries

Mar 13 2009 by Les Stewart, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

Perthshire 18

Livingston 3

THIS was always going to be an extremely difficult game for Perthshire.

Coming from the high of the Selkirk game to a bread and butter league match on a cold and drizzly day is a difficult transition and it is fair to say the boys struggled to produce flowing rugby.

Livingston are pointless in the league but did not provide easy fodder for the Eagles.

They actually controlled possession for a large part of the game but did not have the pace to turn it into points.

Shire, on the other hand, always looked as though they had the class to provide the killer tries when it mattered but they seemed to panic at times and numerous passes and kicks went astray.

They had targeted this game for five points but were possibly too eager to impress and make sure they scored four tries instead of just imposing themselves on the game first and letting the scores come afterwards.

Livingston went into the lead after 10 minutes when their pressure yielded a penalty but Fleming equalised soon after when Matt Smith was high tackled.

Perthshire looked as though they were getting some rhythm into their game and Craig Assenti managed to use his pace to score the first try of the game and everyone hoped this would settle Shire down.

They began to open the game up and the pacy backs began to show their skills and should have scored a couple of tries but Smith was unlucky to knock on and Assenti scored what looked like a marvellous try but the touch judge thought differently and ruled that he shaved a blade of grass on the touch line as he sped up the field.

Shire led 8–3 at half time and all credit to Livingston who battled fiercely to grab a try.

They started the second half well and camped on the Shire line but good defence kept them at bay.

Shire were awarded a penalty and the ever alert Elder took it quickly and Fleming ended the move by scoring in the corner.

Livingston never lay down and kept up their attacks but the spectators were hoping that Shire could just stamp their authority on the game and produce the flowing rugby they are capable of.

Matt Smith again broke clear and raced towards the line to gather a chip ahead but the referee was unsighted when he touched down and could not award the try.

Shire battled away to increase their try tally but their only reward was a fine try by Andy Elder after Shire's very mature front row did their bit and Elder pounced over to secure the win.

The next match is a double header with both 1sts and 2nds travelling to Hughenden to take on Hilhead/Jordanhill on March 28.

STARS awarded – *** Ali Anderson sponsored by AGSC Distribution; * * Simon Moffat sponsored by AGB Developments; * Jointly Andy Flavell and Darren Davies sponsored by Age Concern