After a month without rugby the 1sts at last got a game in the crucial encounter with Perthshire, where a loss would have made the relegation play-off match all the more likely.

In excellent conditions with little wind the Scarlets started up the hill against a Perthshire team much improved from the one which had taken the spoils earlier in the season.

However this did not deter the home team who started with a bang. An excellent break by Ferguson, and good support from Adam saw the latter in for a cracking try in the 5th minute. Bell added the conversion for a perfect start.

Perthshire strove hard to get back in the game, with their strong 10,12, 13 combination to the fore and some powerful carries by their back row. However the Scarlets stuck to their defensive structure and gave little away, helped by some good disruption in the line-outs by Ben Laing and some good relief kicking from hand by Nick Bell. The next score came from one such kick which was well contested and the ball broke for John Monu to sprint over from 40m. With Bell again converting, a good 14-0 lead was established after 22 minutes. Playing with clear shape and direction the Scarlets stretched this further when Bell, kicking immaculately added another penalty on the 28th minute, to go 17-0. It was noticeable that whilst Perthshire were attacking strongly, the well organised Haddington defence was holding firm and indeed frustrating Perthshire into more kicks than would normally be the case with slope advantage. However from one such kick a defensive mix up saw Perthshire drive home the advantage with a try by on 30 minutes, which was converted, to bring the score to 17-7. The Scarlets fought their way back up the slope however and earned another well earned penalty by Bell to make the half-time score a healthy and most welcome 20-7.

The second half started with Perthshire again battling strongly, but again resolute defence saw the Scarlets hold firm with some organised and aggressive first up tackling, and good scramble defence whilst in attack Bell and Monu were shaping things well. Twice Ferguson passed well to release Adam on threatening scampering kick and chases. From one of these Perthshire were forced to carry over and after sustained pressure it was Cal Davis who emerged from the heap, Bell again adding the points. The game was still very open and from more combined play it was the Scarlets who got the crucial next score, and for them the crucial bonus point, when Barber broke blind and forced his way over. Bell missed his first kick of the day from out wide, but at 32-7 in the 55th minute, the game looked safe. However Perthshire had other ideas and really raised their game, scoring an unconverted try out wide in the 58th minute and going all out for at least a four try bonus in the last fifteen minutes, stretching the home defence repeatedly, but a great team effort in the tackle, and several storming runs from Barber kept them at the bay. The defensive effort was epitomised by a touch line tackle on the winger by Craig Harrison. Eventually the final whistle blew to the delight of the players, and to the relief of the home spectators from behind their touch line settees.

A well-earned five pointer, to keep the Scarlets in the hunt, and an excellent all round team performance.

The game was a real credit to the players for increasing their efforts and playing consistently to the improved structure the new coaching team has brought, who themselves also deserve great credit.

Credit should also go to Perthshire, for this was an excellent game to watch with both teams playing good rugby, far removed from what might be expected in a relegation dogfight.

Finally none of this would be possible without the excellent work of the referee Colin Reavely from Gala. Colin will surely see his whistle last longer than most as he used it sparingly and wisely to allow the game to flow, yet was clear and firm when required. More of the same please.

All to play for in a cracking run in to follow, with Morgan away this week, whilst Perthshire are at Kirkcaldy, and Kirkcaldy away the following week. All support most welcome. Look out for bus details.