Perthshire Rugby Club has bad day at Falkirk

Oct 2 2009 by Les Stewart, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

Falkirk 36

Perthshire 7

PERTHSHIRE got an inkling it might not be their day when Ali Anderson injured himself putting the kit in the bus on Saturday morning.

The talismanic captain was subsequently ruled out of the game and from then on things just went from bad to worse against a very impressive Falkirk outfit.

Matson’s attempt at a blind side kick-off back-fired when the Falkirk winger collected the ball and strode through four attempted tackles to touch down within a few seconds – only for the home touch judge to rule that he scraped the line, averting an embarrassing opener.

However, Falkirk soon grabbed the lead and from then on it was one way traffic as Shire struggled to contain them.

The scrum was under severe pressure, and as a result, the forwards couldn't produce any decent ball for the backs who were in strangely hesitant form.

Falkirk's forwards controlled the game but their backs were making several mistakes which Shire could not capitalise on.

It was no surprise when they added another try to their tally after the No 8 galloped down the wing to score despite a desperately unlucky attempt to prevent it by Erland Oag.

Shire played Matson at 12 in an attempt to find his best position, with Oag on the wing, but this didn't really work out and they posed no threat at all to the well-drilled Falkirk backs.

Oag was Shire’s man of the match and looked as though he was the only player equal to the Falkirk threat.

But they managed to score five tries in a first half demolition that left Eagles supporters bracing themselves for a proverbial cricket score in the second half.

Falkirk knew the game was won and made wholesale changes in the second half.

That, together with Perthshire rousing themselves, made for a much better performance by the Perth boys.

Shire exerted a lot of pressure and Erland Oag had several good runs through the Falkirk defence but there was no sign of any support.

The Big County side’s attempts at tactical, kicking, and kicking-to-touch were terrible and Falkirk ran most balls straight back at them.

Far too often forwards were being caught up in the backs and they couldn't move the ball quickly – looking very much out of sorts.

An interception almost led to another Falkirk try as player coach Bob Wylie sped through, but once again Oag tracked back to save the day.

Shire at last stepped-up a gear but yet another loose kick was gratefully accepted by the Falkirk fullback who ran through the defence to score.

Shire’s determination finally paid off as Oag again made a superb break and this time Matson was on his shoulder to take the scoring pass.

A Falkirk player was yellow carded for repeated infringements and a little later they were down to 13 men when Garry Coull was on the receiving end of a perfect right hook to the jaw.

However, the referee decided that Coull was partly to blame for his demise and rewarded him with a yellow card.

The game petered out and Shire could have no complaints.