Perthshire v Gala Preview

This time last season, Perthshire entertained Premier 2 high flyers, Edinburgh Accies in the Cup and despite completely outplaying them, the Eagles were most unfortunate to go out of the competition because of a controversial penalty kick deep into injury time. However, Accies must have been impressed by the Perthshire performance as they now have no less than 4 Shire players in their current 1 st XV. One of them, Matt Coupar, is in Dubai this week with the Scotland 7’s squad. Whether Gala will be similarly impressed remains to be seen but Shire are suffering as a result of their players’ successes this season. Doubtful for the game is Peter Saunders who was injured midweek playing for Scottish Universities against their Irish counterparts and young Geraint O’Driscoll who was due to make his 1 st XV debut tomorrow is, instead, travelling to Wales to play for the Welsh Exiles against North Wales. Stand off, Ally Dall whose brother coached Gala last season is also out as he has not recovered from the shoulder injury sustained against Ardrossan.

On the plus side though, Jimmy (Houdini) Whyte has learned that the eloquent defence he presented after his controversial red card against Annan was successful and he will nothave to suffer any suspension. The veteran prop’s robust style of controlled aggression will be very welcome against an abrasive Gala team on Saturday and apart from the unfortunate Darren Davies, Shire will at least have a full complement of front row players to select from.

Gala are coached by Dave Cockburn and Scott Nicol who formed a hugely successful partnership at Peebles during the three years they were there. They guided the men from The Gytes into Premier 1 and managed to keep them there before seeking fresh challenges with the Netherdale outfit. Cockburn and Nicol have both tasted international rugby and although the former Boroughmuir prop hung up his boots many seasons ago, Scott Nicol is still playing in the centre and will surely prove a handful for Shire’s Allan Brown.

Based on their past record, it is fair to assume that Gala will adopt a fiery, forward’s orientated game and try to subdue Shire up front before unleashing the pace of their back line. However, Perthshire’s finest have already came up against Heriots, Melrose, Boroughmuir, Kelso & Edinburgh Accies in recent seasons and the visitors from Galashiels hold no fear for them. The Eagles have been training four nights a week to try and make up for the recent run of postponements but there can be no substitute for actual match experience. Last week’s match against Langholm resembled a long running soap before it was eventually called off on the Friday because there were no SRU referees available. The next optional dates for the fixture are now the 24 th & 31 st December and Perthshire are only too grateful that it is due to be played at The North Inch as no players will be relishing a 3 hour journey on either of these dates.

The crowds at the North Inch have been disappointing this season and it is hoped that everyone will turn out on Saturday to cheer the team on for what is certain to be a mouth watering clash. Kick Off is at 1.30 in case of extra time being required and the match and match ball are sponsored by the Bank of Scotland’s agricultural team based at Cherrybank in Perth. The winners of this tie will progress to the 4th Round of the Cup while the losers will have the consolation of entering the BT Shield.

Perthshire 31 Annan 16

Perthshire huffed and puffed but eventually managed to blow away an impressive Annan side to maintain their lead at the midway stage of National League Division1. Annan started the match off at a ferocious pace and it has to be said that after the opening minutes everyone thought a shock result would be on the cards. Their left winger immediately created havoc when he took a short pass from his stand off and cut a swathe through the Shire back row and only desperate last minute tackling kept him from scoring. The opening 5 minutes were spent entirely on the Perthshire goal line until Jim Whyte, lurking out on the wing managed to intercept an Annan pass. He has sufficient experience and sense to realise that he couldn’t outpace the entire Annan team over a distance of 90 metres and he gave the ball an almighty punt downfield where the much faster Jamie Ridgway raced on to it and opened the scoring against the run of play.

Annan resumed their onslaught immediately and won a penalty which they converted and they certainly caused problems in the Eagles defence. Disaster struck for Annan once again when Allan Brown charged down a kick and hacked it downfield where Jesse Westerlund touched it down for another breakaway score which he converted himself. The Perthshire team could hardly believe their luck at scoring 2 tries after only 2 visits in their opponents half of the field. Keir Doe then mounted the first concerted attack but his break fizzled out after the supporting players failed to finish it off by drawing their men in before passing. Annan were winning good lineout ball and after stealing Shire’s throw, their left winger was again unlucky not to score when he left everyone trailing but good tackling from Doe and Fay held him up on the line until the forward support arrived. Minutes later, Jim Whyte became involved in an incident which the referee deemed to be “against the spirit of the game” and he was given the first red card of his long and illustrious career.

Down to 14 men and still facing a relentless onslaught from the men of Annan, Shire battled bravely and stand off Jesse Westerlund emerged the hero after he dazzled Annan with his footwork, chipped the ball over the flat defence to race through, pluck it from the air, and score a marvellous solo try to relieve the pressure. Annan had outstanding players at numbers 9, 10 and 11 but their good work could not be finished off by the men outside them and despite a huge territorial advantage could only claim another two penalties by Craig McCann in the first half to bring the score to 17 – 9.

The second half started as the first had finished and 14 man Shire were made to defend bravely with Neil Drummond running up a very impressive tackle count. Jesse Westerlund was now running the entire game and all Shire’s best moves sparked from his individual brilliance. He was varying play by making breaks himself, kicking, throwing short and long passes and keeping Annan guessing all the time. Annan were almost through to score on numerous occasions but their finishing touches were poor and Allan Brown turned defence into attack with a raking kick up the left touchline. Pattinson won the line out and Westerlund set off again but the referee spotted an infringement. Seconds later he wriggled past the Annan defence to sprint clear before feeding to Gary Coull who thundered over for a try and bonus point. Annan had a spell where they were again camped on the Shire line and for once the defence was breached and nobody could grudge them a try when Angus Burnell was swept over the line by his forwards. Sensing a change in fortune, Annan stepped up the pressure and after Shire were penalised for handling in the ruck they tried to run in another try but this time the Shire defence stood firm.

Fay and Doe were forever making last ditch tackles to stop tries and with Jamie Ridgway an ever present danger in the breakaway, the Eagles were slowly beginning to bring some control into the game. Allan Brown again relieved pressure with a long cross kick and the flying Ridgway raced after it and was rewarded with a clean catch as he outpaced everyone but put a foot over the touchline and was robbed of his try. Another Annan attack broke down and Allan Brown booted it upfield for Westerlund to chase and he did a superb job of bringing it under control and scoring a fine try equalled only by his conversion from the touchline. There were gasps from the crowd as Shire’s outstanding man of the match Westerlund was carried off with an ankle injury but the team managed to hold on and claim a very important win and bonus point. The club wish to congratulate their 1 st XV centre Peter Saunders who, in his fresher’s year, has the honour of representing Scottish Universities v Ireland in Cork today.

Langholm are the visitors to The North Inch tomorrow and having beaten Shire comfortably earlier in the season they will be all out to knock the Eagles of their perch. The match is sponsored by Law & Hamilton Plant & Equipment, Cupar and the ball sponsored by The Cutting Room Hair & Beauty, Perth. Kick off is at 2pm.

There are still one or two tickets left for the Ball on 26 th November and if anyone is still requiring some please contact Keir Doe on 07813138642