County bow out with a whimper

Apr 1 2009 by Alan Rennie, Stirling Observer Wednesday

HAVING put their bodies on the line for the club the previous week at Hawick, ultimately to no avail, perhaps it was no surprise that County capitulated when the going got tough on Saturday.

With a lightweight pack and speedy backs, County opted to play at a very high tempo against the Edinburgh side and it worked well in the opening stages at least.

The forwards gained yardage with a series of dynamic drives and then slick handling involving Robbie McGowan and Ben Addison created an opening for Ross Aitken to notch a dazzling try when he appeared as the extra man on the “wrong” wing.

Two minutes later, however, the fundamental flaw in the County tactics was revealed for the first of many times during the game.

If a handling move broke down, there was no safety net, and too few players prepared to bust a gut to cover back.

First recipient of County’s generosity in defence was scrum-half Calum Cusiter who skipped through practically unopposed from turnover ball.

County were still winning a decent share of possession but their attacks all too often fizzled out due to poor decision-making at the critical moment. And they had to be content with just a solitary Brian Archibald penalty as the reward for all their efforts by the 11th minute.

That put the home side 8-7 ahead but, from then until the interval, Boroughmuir gave County an object lesson on how to defend and, more importantly, how to finish off scoring opportunities.

Turnover ball saw Muir scrum-half Cottrell kick ahead an awkward bouncing ball that eluded everyone but pacy Fijian wing Kororua, who was to go on to score a hat-trick in the match.

One of my favourite Premiership players, flanker Angus Martyn, then notched the first of his two tries. He also played a important role in creating several other scores.

The scores were coming thick and fast and, by half-time, the match was over at 40-8 for the visitors.

An interval pep talk improved Stirling’s performance after the restart and there was a lull in the scoring during the third quarter.

However, the Boroughmuir backs then moved up a gear and the County defence was again found wanting.

Only bright spot in a depressing second half was the try by Gregor Brodie after an incisive inside pass by Robbie McGowan.

My pick for man of the match was Jason Hill, played out of position as a stand-in lock but still looking an outstanding prospect in loose play with quick feet and plenty of upper body strength.

There was a wide variation of votes but Colin Eadie emerged on top with three votes for a battling effort in the No.8 shirt.

Apart from Jason, single votes also went to Tim Clarke, Wilba Davies (on his last game before his return to NZ) and Kevin Bryce.

Scorers: Stirling - tries - Aitken, Brodie; conv - Archibald; pen - Archibald. Boroughmuir - tries - Cusiter, Martyn 2, Kororua 3, Cottrell, J Hare, Ruddick, Cannon; convs - Cannon 7.

Stirling County – R McGowan; G Brodie, B Addison, S Wilson, R Aitken; B Archibald, G Calder; M Hunter, A Moffat, W Davies, J Hill, C Black, K Bryce, T Clarke and C Eadie. Reps - G Mountford, D Mountford, B Fleming, J Graham and G McRorie.

Boroughmuir – S Ruddick; A Kororua, M Clapperton, G Cottrell, M Hare; M Cannon, Calum Cusiter; C Costigan, S Lawrie, F Lait, G Scott, F Pringle, O Brown, A Martyn and B Fisher. Reps –Kelechi Eseonu, B Ross, N Patrick and J Hare.

Referee – David Changleng, Borders.

Stirling County RFC thanks main sponsors Simpson Donald and Ondeo Industrial Solutions for their support.

There’s no 1st XV action this Saturday.

As Craig Deacons is getting married this weekend, Edinburgh Accies have kindly agreed to switch the sixth round cup-tie to a 6.30pm kick-off at Raeburn Place on Wednesday, April 8.

On the pitch adjoining the 1st XV game on Saturday, County’s 2nd XV were running out 43-0 winners in their 2nd XV League match against Boroughmuir.

Wing Dan Jackson was the star with four tries, the others being added by Ian Letion and Jonny Hope. The latter kicked three conversions and a penalty, conversions also being made by Jackson and Allan Robertson.

The 3rd XV fought out a 22-22 draw with Aberdeenshire but were aggrieved that the referee disallowed a try after initially awarding it.

The Thirds must win this Saturday’s final match against Howe of Fife at Cupar to keep alive their hopes of winning their league.