Perthshire 2ndXV 38 Angus Development 22
The first senior home game of the season saw Perthshire 2nds take on a youthful Angus Development squad confident after scoring over 50 points in their last fixture. Those on the side lines may have thought it was “Back to the Future” as a number of the Perthshire Golden Oldies took to the field to help overcome the senior squad depletion due to injuries and work commitments, and what they may have lacked in speed and energy they certainly made up for in guile and passion.
Overall this was a highly entertaining game with the Perthshire team winning by 6 tries to their opponents 4 and the whole game was played with great spirit by both sides. Angus Development are a youthful combination of three Angus clubs held together by 2/3 senior heads and although they might lack some of the tactical decisions they bring a real zest for the game to be played at pace and with width and if there were another 10 minutes on the clock they might have pinched the result as the old legs in the Perthshire squad began to tire.
Director of Rugby, Andy Cummins, opened the scoring, with a short dart and handoff from the back of the ruck, and he was followed by winger Dale Cross who was strong in the tackle and managed to drive over in the corner. The other scorers were Andy Elder and Jamie Ridgeway, who both grabbed a brace, and were both instrumental in providing a solid platform for both the forwards and backs: Ridgeway kicked 4 conversions.
Special mention has to be made of the Perthshire pack, resolute in the set piece, produced some excellent phase play around the corner of the rucks, and frustrated the Youthful Angus forwards in their defensive endeavours. During the last quarter weary bodies constantly rose from the ground to halt the waves of Angus attacks in their tracks ensuring the Perthshire victory, and to leave those still standing, grinning from ear to ear.
This was a great team effort and a deserved victory but special mention should be made of the referee who in only his second senior fixture allowed the game to flow and be played in such a positive manner, and of the Angus full back Dillon Mc Kenzie who produced some scintillating runs and will be one to look for in the future.
Man of the Match: Scotty Davies (the man is a machine!)