Strathmore RFC

Strathmore won their fourth match on the trot to march into second place in this most competitive of leagues. It was not a vintage display of running rugby on a day when the constant drizzle hampered any real chance of a classic fifteen man game.


Inchmacoble Park is now geared up for these big home matches with hospitality packed out and the Colts watching on after they had finished a training session. This youthful Strathie squad should be strengthened further when this talented Under 18 side come of age.


Skipper Kyle Mitchell would have been delighted with the kicking form of Gary Wood in the previous two matches. The diminutive Fireman has an impressive kick rate success this season and this has made a huge difference as discipline of the opposition is punished on a regular basis.


Irish farmer Jeff Yarr earned the captain's plaudits this weekend with an all action display, he was both aggressive in making the hard yards close to the ruck and belligerent in defence, snuffing out the opposition attacks before they gained momentum. His work at the line out was also of the highest order, soaring on numerous occasions and helped the blacks win the aerial battle.


In the trench warfare of the scrum Strathie fared less well as they were under constant pressure from the granite city's much heavier pack. This is a work in progress for the blacks as they bed in new players in unfamiliar positions but improvements have been made and with the commitment shown in training it won't be a weakness for long.


The home side had the ascendency early on with two Wood penalties splitting the uprights to reward their early pressure. A combination of lack of accuracy and problems at the set piece helped Gordonians get a foothold in the game and a try and penalty had them leading by two points at the break.


Club president Jason Leslie is standing in as head coach while Dave Brown is in New Zealand and his presence and calm demeanour would have been one reason for the improved play in the second half.


This Strathie fifteen has pace to burn with back row players that are more athletic than their recent predecessors but they have to play at a higher tempo and shift sides around the pitch much like the varsity teams.


On the occasions they achieved this they looked dynamic and dangerous, looking for offloads and gaps in the visitors defence. It was an older campaigner that turned the match in Strathie's favour on the hour mark.


Inside centre Grant Langlands has that knack of looking like he always has time on the ball, he eased through a gap and powered past the cover defence to dot down under the posts. Wood had no problems adding the extras.


That five point lead was extended moments later when Wood again punished a Gordonian's indiscretion and made safe the four league points. It was a hard earned victory that shows this side can grind out results when playing far from their best.


Strathmore : S Ross, D Smith, J Kiely, G Langlands, D Cargill, L Knox, G Wood, K Mitchell (C), T Malkowski, D Hampton, S Gray, C Nicol, B Morrice, D Milne, J Yarr.


Reps : D Van Wyk, F Cameron, J McLaren.


Man of the Match Jeff Yarr.


8th October Strathmore are away to Aberdeen University. KO 3.00pm.