RUGBY - PA FRIDAY FEBRUARY 24

Feb 25 2011 Perthshire Advertiser Friday

Perthshire 22

Howe of Fife 27

WHEN these two neighbours meet there will always be fireworks and this game proved no exception.

In a nail biting contest with seven tries for the crowd to savour, both teams battled to the very end but the final result meant that Howe moved up to third place in the league and Shire sank to second bottom.

Early indiscipline led to a Howe penalty but Martin missed a simple chance to give his team the lead. However, barely a minute later the tall winger Drummond left the Eagles defence flat footed as he ran most of the pitch to score.

Shire’s lack of first up tackles allowed Howe to unleash their strong running backs but the next score fell to Shire when Jack Steele playing at centre spotted a gap and had the pace and power to sprint through and evade the cover defence while he ran in a typical try in the corner. Howe pressed continuously for the remainder of the first half but resolute defence from the Eagles kept them out although once again indiscipline almost cost them dear when they conceded numerous penalties allowing Howe to play the game mainly in the Shire 22.

It looked as though Shire would hold on until half time as the forwards through Hood, Mackinnon, Coull and Ross Angus produced thumping tackles to keep Howe from scoring but just before half time Howe were awarded a series of penalties as Perthshire tried to keep them out. They opted for a scrum five metres from the Shire line and Ross Angus transgressed as Shire were shunted backwards to be awarded a yellow card and Howe were given a penalty try which seemed hugely unfair. This gave Howe a 12–5 lead at half time.

With a retreating scrum plus one man short Shire might have caved in during the second half but this team is made of sterner stuff.

Graeme Clow gave the team and supporters a boost with a thumping penalty three minutes into the half. Andy Elder made a superb break up the touchline and Erlend Oag with no space whatsoever to work in managed to slip past one defender and in a breathtaking move he stepped inside the last defender and romped under the posts and suddenly Shire were in the lead.

Clow again converted and Shire’s backs started to show what they were capable of. Again and again they attacked and they combined well to send Oag off again and the winger once again showed superb running skills when he managed to dive over in the corner.

The quality of the try was only matched by Clow’s conversion from the touchline.

Not for the first time this season though the penalty count against Shire was terrible and this allowed Howe back into the game. They kicked a penalty into touch and from the line out the forwards battled through to score and a thrilling finale was guaranteed.

The Eagles should have put the game beyond reach when young Ross Angus broke through into the Howe 22 but he did not see the three men in support on his left and when he cut right, he was dispossessed and a certain try was lost. Another opportunity arose seconds later when Elder was through but they lost the ball and Howe ran the length of the pitch to score. Perhaps the biggest factor influencing play was that this was only Shire’s second home league game since the middle of November while they had played six games over the last six weeks and were much sharper. Howe struck a penalty in the dying minutes and all the Eagles had to show for all their effort was a losing bonus point.

On the plus side it was good to see the North Inch crowd back to full strength and there will be plenty of room on the bus should supporters wish to travel to Dumfries tomorrow. The meeting is at 10.30am before leaving at 10.45am.

The 2nd XV are travelling to Ayr and the bus is leaving at 11.45am. As Biggar called off last week’s match, Perthshire’s seconds have been awarded a 28–0 win which means five valuable league points for the young Eagles.

Colts

PERTHSHIRE face Aberdeen Grammar at the North Inch tomorrow in the Caledonia Cup quarter finals. Kick off is at 1pm and all players are asked to be in the changing rooms by noon. There is plenty to play for as the winning side is guaranteed a place in either the Cup or Shield finals, and looking at the recent results from both sides it should be a close encounter.

Smart dress is to be worn afterwards and match subs are payable on the day.

Minis

THIS Sunday the teams will be travelling to Mayfield to play at the Dundee Mini Tournament which begins at 10.30am with a registration at 10am. Players are asked to meet at Bell’s car park for 9.15am and to remember that match subs are payable on the day. Those travelling direct should contact their respective coaches.