Harley street was the setting for rosyth sharks preseason friendly v panmure rfc this past saturday. This was to be a tough game to due to high winds which meant ball in hands was the strategy for the day.

The game got of to a heavily contested start before with sharks attacking well. however after early nerves from sharks and a missed tackle created panmure number 9 a bit of space to run in the first try of the day and conversion was missed.

This spurred sharks into life and after a good set of running and rucking from forwards the ball was whipped out wide to create a 4 on 1 attack to which Stuart doidge ran in rosyths first try of the day. Sadly conversion was missed by kicker Connor Edwards.

rosyth called upon there play strategy once again by utilizing the forward pack well and again creating space for Stuart doidge to again run in for his and rosyths 2nd try. Sadly Connor Edwards was short with conversion

After repeated incidents the ref was forced to sin bin panmure no.9 which left panmure short around 15 minutes from half time..

Rosyth sharks continued to make pressure count where necessary and after some good play by both forwards and backs for sharks into panmure 22 area. Sharks no.9 Liam ward was able to exploit a gap from the back of a ruck to run in sharks 3rd try. On this occasion Connor Edwards was on point with the conversion.

Due to ill discipline and repeated warnings by referee flanker Andrew dick was shown the yellow card and was given a 10 minute sit out.

sharks seemed to lose focus and after panmure showed good determination they managed to run in 2 tries which were both converted before half time.

Half time score :
rosyth sharks 17 panmure 19

2nd half kicked off with Mark craigie replacing loose head Simon Harper.

Panmure reacted well after half time and after some good team play they themselves managed to put another try on the board to put sharks behind with around 20 minutes to go. Fortunately conversion was missed.

Both sides continued to utilize forward pack and it was sharks who struck next after good play resulted in sharks entering opponents 22 area prop niall Henderson ran at defence who did well to stop the southern forward. The ball was popped to 2nd row grant Sheridan who crashed over the line for the try. Connor Edwards added the extra with his 2nd conversion of the day.

Replacement prop Mark craigie was forced off after a lower back injury and was replaced by kristofer Richards at loose head.

Tighthead prop niall henderson was also replaced by Stephen Paterson making his debut for the sharks

It was sharks who had final statement of the day and it was kristofer Richards who got winning try after Liam ward drew the panmure defence before popping to the sharks prop who crossed the line for the try and the win. Conversion was missed

Final score:

Rosyth sharks 29 - panmure 24

Man of the match - Brian aspinall

There were many positives to be taken from the game and this is something that will give sharks confidence heading into season

Next week is another friendly for rosyth after league fixture was rescheduled and sharks will now play Caledonian thebans

Starting line up

1 niall henderson
2 ben morris
3 Simon harper
4. Michael o'rourke
5 grant sheridan
6 Andrew dick
7 Stuart bailey
8 Bryan aspinall

9 Liam ward
10 Mark love
11 Callum hawthorne
12 Stuart doidge
13 Jason hunkin
14 conal oliver
15 Connor Edwards.