Perthshire Eagles get win over Garnock

Oct 23 2009 by Les Stewart, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

Perthshire 37

Garnock 24

SHIRE took the field knowing that a good victory was essential if the season was not to start falling away from them.

Although it was a rather disappointing crowd, the support soon got behind the Eagles as they took charge of the game from the kick-off.

Garnock were forced into giving away a penalty which Wayne Matson converted and the home team were in the lead within three minutes.

Shire continued to dominate play and with good ball retention and forward drives, spent at least seven minutes in the opposition 22.

It was no surprise when stand-off Graham Clow scored an excellent try under the posts and,with Matson converting, Shire had a 10-0 lead.

However, Garnock were not giving up. Despite not really being in the game for 15 minutes, and after a movement dominated with some excellent handling from a 10-metre scrum, scored under the posts to make it 10-7.

Then Shire got good possession and Craig Assenti got the ball 30 metres out and went on one of his typically fast elusive runs and scored under the posts .

Matson's conversion gave Shire a very well-deserved 17-7 lead.

There then followed a lot of good play by both sides and the elusive Garnock winger score a good try in the corner.

But then Matson converted a penalty to give the home side an eight-point lead.

Although the Garnock winger nearly squeezed in again, it was Shire who dominated the play.

Craig Wallace, playing at No. 7, was continually making space but some hurried passing combined with players sometimes trying to perhaps carry the ball too far rather than pass to the support prevented lots of pressure turning into points.

But the Eagles were determined to finish the first-half on a high and after a lot of pressure the Garnock defence was breached when Dan Bowater scored from close range, well into injury time.

Again Matson converted so Shire finished the first-half with a very pleasing 27-12 lead.

The home side had at least 70 per cent. of the ball and territory but Garnock had some very dangerous players in the half-backs and their No 8 also had a couple of dangerous breaks.

So Shire knew that to prevent a repeat of some earlier games, when they let the opposition dominate the second period, they would need to continue where they left off in the first.

But it was Garnock first on the scoreboard with a good try wide out then, 18 mins. into the half, the boot of Matson from near the halfway line made the score 30-17.

Shire nearly scored when Andy Elder was held up over the line but unfortunately the Eagles lost the ensuing five-metre scrum.

Shortly after that, Garnock carried over their own line but again Shire did not convert this into points.

Mat Fay was given a yellow card for a late tackle but despite being down to 14 men, Shire did score and this was when Derek Busby, with a typically determined drive, scored near the posts.

Again. Matson converted to make it 37-17 .

But the Eagles were determined to make life difficult and Al Falconer got a yellow card and, between that and a number of enforced changes because of injury, the home side become disjointed and the visitors looked dangerous when they got possession.

Determined tackling by Shire, however, kept them out.

Because of the sending offs and many injuries on both sides, there was a long period of extra time and Garnock did score a further seven points , the fourth try giving them a bonus point.

Shire earned a very good winning bonus and as a result are now third from the bottom and only five points from mid-table.

There is now a feeling that this young side will take great confidence to Ardrossan tomorrow and they are hoping to take a reasonable support with them.

The bus leaves at 10.15 and everyone should meet by 10am prompt.

All members please note the annual dinner-dance is on November 14. Contact Laura Moffat for tickets.