Keenly contested game at Grangemouth for Blairgowrie senior squad

Jan 18 2013 by Clare Damodaran, Blairgowrie Advertiser

Blairgowrie’s senior squad travelled south for their Caledonia League Division III game against Grangemouth 2nds on Saturday.

Blairgowrie made the trip with a relatively inexperienced squad but they could not have asked for a better start to the game when Michael Simpson scored in the corner after some good work by Euan Constable. Michael also converted his try.

With both sets of players making a number of unforced errors, Euan Constable picked up a loose ball in midfield, before passing to Michael Simpson who presented the ball to eventual try-scorer Peter Duncan.

The home side threatened to breach the Blairgowrie try line on a couple of occasions but good defensive work prevented a score. Captain Neil MacRae took a quick tap penalty, passing to Euan Constable who charged through to score under the posts, again converted by Michael Simpson.

With everyone expecting the whistle to blow for half-time, Grangemouth spilt the ball on the halfway line, allowing young Callum Michie to pick the ball up and race for the try line. Michael Simpson notched his third conversion, leaving the score 26-0 in favour of Blairgowrie at the break.

Following a number of changes to the visiting team, it was the home side who dominated possession for long periods in the second half but the Blairgowrie defence held strong and Grangemouth were unlucky not to have scored.

Blairgowrie came back into the game, with Timmy Watson unlucky not to score after his fellow forwards had driven him over the try line.

From the ensuing scrum Davie Grieve picked up the ball and – aided by some great work by Ewan Morrison and Stuart Flatley – the ball was fed out to Stephen Souter, who raced through the defence to score Blairgowrie’s fifth try, which he duly converted.

Despite the score-line, this was a keenly contested match and coaches later praised those players who turned out despite niggling injuries and to those who had to make last minute domestic arrangements to ensure that Blairgowrie could field a team.

Man of the match points: Timmy Watson, Stuart Flatley and Peter Duncan – one point each, Euan Constable – two points and Michael Simpson – three points and the Man of the Match. Will Gibson was awarded the Tackle Award.

This Saturday (January 19) Blairgowrie host Kirkcaldy 2nds who currently sit top of the league in a 2pm kick-off at the J J Coupar Recreation Park.

Players are asked to attend training on Tuesday and Thursday.