U18s lose to college

Oct 8 2008

STIRLING County Under 18’s had a harsh reality check last Saturday when they visited Robert Gordons College in a friendly fixture – and lost.

The County squad was eager to gain a competitive fixture against one of the leading school sides and hastily re-arranged the scheduled league fixture against Dunfermline until next week.

County were a little short in experience as they travelled north, with flanker Robbie Boswell, centre Mark Marchbank and winger Gavin Denham all out through injury as well as Danny Gilmour and Glenn Bryce in the firsts and seconds respectively. Nevertheless the County strength in depth provided a squad that should be competitive in most age-group competitions.

It was a wet and windy Aberdeen that greeted the teams at kick-off and it was evident from the start that the home side was in a combative mood. County found difficulty in securing any quality possession and after four minutes the County line was breached after incessant pressure with a drive over try. The pressure was unrelenting with the Robert Gordons pack in full control of the contact situation it was no surprise when a further score arrived on 11 minutes to stretch the lead to 12-0.

Commendably County re-grouped after this initial assault and gradually began to make in-roads to the home side territory. County began to exert pressure within the opposition 22 but on too many occasions’ opportunity was marred by poor ball retention in the contact situation. Half time was reached with the deficit still 12.

A key message at the break was more aggression in contact. There was an immediate response and after better control up front and width in attack replacement Fynn Russell took advantage as a ball was hacked through to dive over. Stuart Edwards conversion reducing the deficit to 7-12. There was only sporadic attacks into the County defence zone but with fifteen minutes remaining poor defence around a ruck close to the County line saw the home prop drive through to extend the lead.

With time running down the County attack became more desperate and a lack of composure resulted in attack errors. County made one final effort but were denied what appeared a legitimate score as Robbie Hogg was judged to have a foot in touch on the last play of the match.

County will have an opportunity to make amends in November when they host the north side at Bridgehaugh.

This Saturday, County host Dunfermline in a re-arranged fixture at Bridgehaugh.