Strathmore hosted near neighbours Carnoustie in the first Angus derby for many a year at Inchmacoble on Saturday in front of a large crowd of supporters from both teams. Although the overnight frost had Stuart "Groundskeeper Willie" Cameron on tenterhooks during the lead up to the game the ref passed the pitch playable and both sets of players warmed up in perfect sunny bit still chilly conditions. Carnoustie were the inform team coming in this league fixture and were only one place behind the home team in the table, so all was to play for in this important league clash.

Strathie were clearly up for this right from the whistle and immediately had Carnoustie on the back foot forcing handling errors with some early pressure. Scrum half Fraser Mackay spotted an opportunity to break through the Carnoustie defence and score the opening try of the game which he duly converted to put Strathmore 7 points to the good after only 5 minutes. From the restart Jeff Yarr made good ground and offloaded superbly to Glenn Feighan in support and again Strathie where threatening the Carnoustie try line. Carnoustie were penalised for sealing off the ball and quick thinking from Fraser Mackay saw a lovely little dink over the Carnoustie back line with Winger Dave Smith running through the score Strathies second try of the day. Mackay added the conversion and Strathmore were 14-0 in the lead. Carnoustie upped their game and came close to scoring on 25minutes with a well worked set piece but some great defending from the Inchmacoble forwards in the far corner saw the visitors efforts unrewarded with the ball being heldup despite over the try line. Minutes later Strathmore missed a penalty in front of the posts which could have been costly as they were then reduced to 14 men with Tim Malkowski yellow carded for his first offence but a totting up count by the ref saw the Strathie prop off for 10 minutes. Carnoustie sensed this was an opportunity and should have scored but a forward pass combined with handling errors were proving their down fall in what should have been a 7 point window, they just couldn't get over the whitewash to close Strathies lead . With the Men in Black, who were actually playing in red this week due to clashing strips, back to a full team they should have seen the first half out but stand in Captain Struan Robertson saw yellow and was binned for 10 minutes. Carnoustie made no mistake this time scoring right infront of the posts despite the Inchmacoble forwards efforts to prevent them. Halftime 14-7

Buoyed on from their score on the stroke of halftime it was Carnoustie who pushed hard in the opening 10 minutes of the second half and it was only down to a great defence from Strathie that prevented the visitors drawing level. Gav Dissell, Keith Robertson and Glenn Feighan leading the way with solid tackling allowing the home supporters to breathe a sigh of relief. Carnoustie were clearly causing the home team problems and it was down to a sliced clearing kick from the home team that Carnoustie got their just rewards. The resulting line out was won by the visitors and the ball shipped out through their backs to score a well worked try in the far corner. The conversion was missed much to the relief of Strathie as that would been all square however it stayed 14-12 with 15 minutes to play. Strathie were awarded a penalty deep in Carnousties half following some great work by Grant Watson which was duly scored and put the home team 17-12 in front with only 6 minutes to play. The win was finally secured by Strathmore following a strong surging run by Man of the Match Murray Mitchell who fought off two tackles and side stepped the Carnoustie full back to score the much needed try to give the home team the points they were much needing. Mackay adding the Conversion. Full time 24-12

First XV Head Coach Stewart Ross commented "A little disappointing to miss out on the 4th try bonus point but local rivals proved to be a tough opposition. Man of the match Murray Mitchell played very well particularly after moving into the backrow. Going forward we will have to improve our composure and maintain control of a game from start to finish. Next week our semi final against Highland will be exciting and we will hopefully see another big home support!"

Kick off next Saturday will be 1.30pm at Inchmacoble against Highland in the Semi - final of the Bowl Competition.

Written by Paul Wilson