Another narrow loss for Reds!

Newton Stewart RFC 6 – 7 Kirkcaldy RFC
Tennent’s National League Division 2
Saturday 12th October 2019

The Reds faced Kirkcaldy RFC at Bladnoch Park last weekend, just six weeks after being thrashed 61-0 by them in the cup. Newton Stewart have been playing well these last few weeks and they hoped to make this a closer game than last time and utilise their home advantage as much as possible.
The early possession was predominantly Kirkcaldy’s as the game got underway. The Reds’ defence was solid though and a good tackle by prop Martin Wallace gave flanker Mark McCornick an opportunity to turn the ball over, and he duly did so, earning Newton Stewart a penalty.
The throw at the following lineout was not straight which gave the advantage back to Kirkcaldy. The first scrum of the game resulted in a penalty against Newton Stewart, but the Kirkcaldy stand-off couldn’t quite find the target and the score remained at 0 – 0.
Kirkcaldy kick from deep and full-back Russell Morton collected and countered. He passed the ball out to winger Robert Service who ripped through the Kirkcaldy half, making around 40m in the process. This set up a long spell of pressure on the Kirkcaldy line, but some solid defensive work form the visitors kept Newton Stewart at bay, and the had to settle for a penalty kick which was slotted home by centre Jack Gaw for a 3 – 0 lead.
Another overthrown lineout gave second row Mark Craig a great opportunity to steal the ball once more. Some further attacking play for the Reds ended with a high tackle against them and another penalty as a result. Jack Gaw did the honours once more, 6 – 0.
The remainder of the first half saw a lot of fast-paced midfield play. There were repeated handling errors from both sides which stopped either from gathering any significant momentum and the game slipped into half-time.
After the break Robert Service got another chance to tear up the pitch when he collected another long Kirkcaldy kick. He made a lot of ground, but the ball was turned over when he was finally taken down.
A long spell of Kirkcaldy pressure finished with a converted try from one of their sizeable second row players. Utilising the size of their pack, the forwards worked patiently, making a yard at a time until they were close enough to bulldoze over the Reds and their try line. They jumped ahead for the first time in this match to 6 – 7 up.
There was sustained pressure from the visitors now and Kirkcaldy looked dangerous. A loose pass right on their line fell into centre Fraser Morton’s hands however and he kicked long for Newton Stewart to chase.
The Reds had plenty of opportunities with the ball in hand now, but they weren’t clinical enough with too many handling errors disrupting their opportunities and giving possession back to Kirkcaldy.
As the minutes ticked by the tension on the pitch, and the sidelines, rose. The large Newton Stewart supporting crowd gathered volume as the Reds began one final assault in the dying minutes of the game. Phase after phase saw them slowly push up the pitch, needing only a penalty to win the match.
As the clock turned red the referee blew his whistle for an infringement only metres from the try line and Newton Stewart initially thought their moment had come. Frustratingly the penalty was against them, not for, and the game finished with Kirkcaldy winning by the narrowest of margins. An exhausting and frustrating game to watch, but another good overall performance from the Reds.
The Newton Stewart back row of Mark McCornick, Calum Gaw and Allan Ferrie were the stars of this match for the Reds. All three had fantastic tackle counts and made important yards with the ball in hand. Hooker Thomas MacDonald, scrum-half Robbie McCornick and second row James McMiken also had good performances today, demonstrating good tackle technique against the enormous Kirkcaldy forwards.
Craig Wilson Ltd’s Man of the Match goes to the captain, Mark McCornick, for his exhaustive efforts right to the last. He gave everything he had in this match from start to finish, a commendable performance.
Next weekend is another home game for Newton Stewart, this time against Peebles RFC. This will be another tough game against strong contenders in the league this season, but the Reds will relish the challenge!
Team: Russell Morton, Robert Service, Fraser Morton, Jack Gaw, David Adams, David Gaw, Robbie McCornick, Martin Wallace, Thomas MacDonald, Liam Brawls, James McMiken, Mark Craig, Mark McCornick (capt), Calum Gaw, Allan Ferrie. Subs: Ronan McDonald, Jamie Muir, James Wallace, Ross Campbell.