Shire edge out Fifers in close-run clash

Sep 30 2011 Perthshire Advertiser Friday

Perthshire27

Dunfermline 24

SHIRE U16s ran out narrow winners in a nail-biter on the Inch last Sunday.

The first half belonged to Perthshire with thoroughbred Sam Nicoll playing from his best position at full back using pace and strength to fizz up the pitch past despairing defenders to score the first try of the game which Connor Sutherland converted.

Then it was Dunfermline who did the same, but using their powerful forwards to bludgeon and ruck up the pitch and push over to score.

With Connor instigator and inspirator Shire looked dangerous when the backs got the ball and Sam latched on to a pass and stormed along the touchline to score his and Shire’s second try, which Connor again converted.

Shire attacks had Dunfy going backward on a number of occasions and a poor relieving kick from the visitors saw Stuart MacGill at hooker picking up and running like a back to create an opportunity for Keiron Adams who crashed down in the corner for Shire’s third try. Connor’s conversion from a difficult angle just missed, smacking into the post.

The Dunfermline side had justifiable belief in their own strengths and were soon back in the home side half. Camped in front of the try line they were not quite able to get the score, repelled by brave Shire defending.

It went into half time 19–5 and we felt quietly confident about the second half although concerned about that we were down to 14 through injury to Max Renouf. Those concerns were to prove well-founded; although Raheem Beg later came on and did well, Dunfermline came out guns blazing and scored three unanswered tries, two of them converted to put the visitors 19–24 up.

Shire were really under the cosh and the tension amongst the spectators was palpable, then MacGil, who must have had an extra bowl of Frosties for breakfast, got the ball and sprinted down the line like a tiger after a rabbit and scored in the corner to make it 24 each.

There was no let up in the tension but Shire dug deep and earned a penalty in front of the posts. Connor’s Mum could barely watch as he calmly slotted it over, the final score 27–24.

The Shire lads came up against a great Dunfermline side in this game and the most encouraging aspects of the performance was team commitment and a never-say-die attitude. Ethan Milne really harassed the Dunfy scrum half and prevented their backs possession on a number of occasions.

Keiron Adams really stepped up to display speed, strength and tackling. Sam Nicoll is a speed merchant and carved out two great tries; Ben Taylor tackled and ran well and Connor Sutherland was a catalyst and a rampant man of the match.

The Shire forwards fought hard despite coming up against a stronger pack. MacGill was all over the park winning the ball, tackling and running with pace supported by Fraser Kennedy who had a good game and Euan MacFarlane whose strength and tackling in the close was vital.

There is a long break now until the next league game; please watch out for Eamon’s texts regarding training and a possible interim friendly.