Strathie thump Harris

Strathmore 1st XV travelled down the A90 to Dundee looking to pick themselves up following their disappointing trip to Alloa last weekend with a victory away to Harris on Saturday and goodness did they deliver. Within one minute of the kick off the Inchmacoble boys had set the tone for what was to come. Winger Darren Bell finished off a slick move with Lee Alexander adding the extras 0-7.

Harris were beginning to settle into the game and were awarded a penalty try on 5 minutes which was enough to make the visitors realise this wasn’t going to be as easy as they perhaps originally thought. Both teams had good opportunities to take a grip of the game but it was pretty evenly matched for the next 15 minutes before Connor Blackmore playing at Full Back managed to put the Men in Black further ahead 7-12.

The Strathmore forwards were working hard to set up opportunities for the backs in attack but Glenn Feighan playing at No.8 summed up his recent form with a great try saving run after tracking back to prevent an almost definite Harris try. There were a few rallying cries from the Strathie players who could sense the risk Harris were presenting and it seemed to be catalyst for Strathie to up their game.
Darren Bell scored his second try of the game on 28 minutes following good link up play with Captain Dave Smith. Lee Alexander added the conversion to put the visitors 7-19 in front and that was how the first half ended. HT - 7-19.

With the wind behind them Strathie started the second half by kicking deep into opposition territory and almost immediately scored through centre James Kiely but a great tackle from the Harris full back prevented the score. Harris failed to find touch with their clearing kick and Glenn Feighan seized the opportunity to score in the corner powering through two tackles following some great support play. James Kiely then added to the growing try tally before Glenn Feighan added his second try of the match all within 7 minutes of the second half starting. Lee Alexander converting 2 out of the 3 conversions. 7-38.

Harris again had chances half way through the second half but the Strathie defence stood strong and it wasn’t long before the fresh legs of the Strathie subs were stretching the Harris rearguard. Flanker come Winger Dave Alston coming off the bench to score a try in the corner on 65 minutes. 7-43.

Harris again had chances half way through the second half but the Strathie defence stood strong and it wasn’t long before the fresh legs of the Strathie subs were stretching the Harris rearguard. Flanker come Winger Dave Alston coming off the bench to score a try in the corner on 65 minutes. 7-43.

Harris were beginning to look tired and with Strathie gaining confidence, they were beginning to score freely towards the end of the game. Captain Dave Smith was next up to score following a sublime one handed off load in the tackle from Stuart Disco Gray followed in quick succession by Darren Bell for his hat-rick try.
Prop Tom Hall added another with a lung bursting run up the centre of the pitch much to the joy of the visiting supporters and kicker Lee Alexander as it made the conversion much easier than some of his other attempts. The forwards had worked hard all day and it was just reward to see them also get on the score sheet. 7-60.

With only 5 minutes remaining Prop Mark Scoular affectionately known as the scouldozer made a break up the left wing charging past players, fending off tacklers and setting up Dave Smith for his second try of the game which Alexander duly slotted between the uprights. 7-67. It was left for Man of the Match Glenn Feighan to bring the scoring to an end with his hat-rick try on 80 minutes and round off a comprehensive victory for Strathmore.

Head Coach Stewart Ross commented “Clinical finish after we understood we had to maintain our composure. While we enjoyed running in the tries we know we have to improve in a few areas before Glenrothes come to Inchmacoble in 2 weeks”

Match Report by Paul Wilson