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Five Precious Points for Battling Shire

Five Precious Points for Battling Shire

Adam Pattinson5 Dec 2016 - 13:06
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Eagles turn on style in second half to run out convincing winners

Boys, I could knock this kick over with my eyes closed. Watch this... Oh...
- Jonny Armitt

There was a chill hanging in the air over the North Inch as the Eagles hosted basement side Livingston in the year’s most crucial match for the home side to date. Both teams are very much involved in a relegation scrap, so every point is precious. The Shire needed all five to have any chance of avoiding the drop this season.

Livingston started the match brightly, with their huge set of forwards dominating the early exchanges and the scrum. The Perth boys threw themselves into every tackle, fighting manfully to stop the onslaught. Their bravery was rewarded after a fine move allowed super centre Ruairidh Leader to dot down close to the posts. Somehow, the kick was missed, which caused a degree of worry and confusion among the spectators.

Livingston battered up the field with their territory and possession being rewarded with a penalty for a high tackle which they duly converted. The score to went to 5-3 and Shire went to fourteen men as powerhouse centre Matt Smith received a yellow card for his exuberant defending. The two teams scored another penalty each in a tense, attritional first half in which no-one seized the ascendancy. Some choice words over half time were to follow as the sides went in with the board reading 8-6.

The second half was a totally different affair as the game opened up with Livingston players starting to tire. Forwards and backs linked brilliantly to create tries worthy of any highlight reel. Leader ended the day with a hat-trick, as did skipper Miller. O’Connor finished with a try thanks to some menacing runs from stand-off, while Bowater was on hand to dot down on behalf of the front 8. The backs notched up the lion's share of the points in this match, but the forwards worked feverishly to win ball, with Mackessack, Bowater and Coull particularly impressive throughout the contest.

The atmosphere around the club was improved significantly by the success of the Seconds, who registered and impressive 81-17 victory against Stobswell, with the half-back partnership of Andy ‘Evergreen’ Elder and young Andrew Guthrie proving too hot for the visitors to handle.

The First XV should be proud of the way in which they halted the powerful Livingston runners throughout the contest, ultimately wearing their opposition down to create plenty of space to attack in the second half, leading to a healthy final score of 48-6. Livingston, to their immense credit, fought this battle without any substitutions; only bringing a squad of fifteen. It is no wonder their heavier forwards tired as the match progressed. They played with their typical tenacity and ferocity – something the Eagles will be very keen to nullify at the return fixture.

Saturday’s victory saw Shire make a decent stride in the right direction. Hopefully tomorrow’s match against Glasgow Accies will allow for the momentum to keep building. Shire are looking to avenge a painful defeat from the first game of the season inflicted by tomorrow’s visitors. Rest assured, the lads will be very motivated to put things right. All support down at the Inch is most welcome. Kick off is at 2pm.

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