Rugby: Five in a row puts Blairgowrie top of the table

Oct 4 2012 by Clare Damodaran, Blairgowrie Advertiser

The Blairgowrie senior squad is sitting at the top of the league table following a fifth successive win.

With Glenrothes 2nds having had two wins and a draw in their previous three league matches Blairgowrie was expecting a tough match.

But with only a minute on the clock Blairgowrie went into the lead with a try by winger Michael Black after some good work by Alan Robertson and Russell Edwards. Stephen Souter converted the points.

Within minutes Blairgowrie had breached the Glenrothes try line for a second time but Michael Black was deemed to have put a foot in touch en route to the try line.

Blairgowrie went on to add a second try through Ryan Walker, which was again converted by Stephen Souter.

The home side rallied but despite a number of breaks the Blairgowrie defence held strong to deny Glenrothes a score.

With ten minutes of the first half remaining Stephen Souter added a third try for Blairgowrie after a move which involved practically every Blairgowrie player and which he again converted.

Blair then secured a lineout ball on the Glenrothes 22 metre line and after some excellent work by Ryan Walker and James Larsen the ball was popped up to Ritchie Duncan who charged over the line. Stephen Souter’s conversion made the half time score Glenrothes 0 Blairgowrie 28.

From the restart it was the home side who applied the early pressure but once again the Blairgowrie defence held firm.

Duncan Campbell scored, converted by Stephen Souter once again from the touchline.

Neil MacRae scored Blairgowrie’s sixth try collecting a pass from Stephen Souter just inside the Glenrothes half, the seventh was scored by young Leo Grozier after yet another great break by Ritchie Duncan and the last try of day came from Stephen Souter.

Following the game captain Neil MacRae thanked referee Colin Petrie and Glenrothes. Man of the Match points were awarded as follows: Russell Edward – 1 point, Neil MacRae – 2 points, Ritchie Duncan – 3 points and the Man of the Match with the tackle award going to Duncan Campbell.

This Saturday (October 6) Blairgowrie travel to Crieff. There will be a limited number of spaces on the bus for any supporters who wish to travel with the team. Training continues at 7pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the J J Coupar Recreation Park.

Tickets are now on sale for the Rugby Club Dinner Dance, to be held at the Red House Hotel, Coupar Angus, on Saturday November 24.