U18s win in Elgin

Dec 10 2008 by Jean Pedder, Stirling Observer Wednesday

THE long journey north to meet Gordonstoun in Elgin was rewarded with a win and a bonus point as Stirling County Under 18’s defeated the school side in a Caledonia League fixture on Saturday.

Although the win bonus was secured, the County coaches will be less than satisfied with the nature of the win.

A bright opening was negated with lack of precision in passing and some poor decision-making as the game progressed which allowed the home side to dominate the mid-period of the match and to cause some scares in the County defence.

Stirling County opened brightly with some effective breaks from mid-field after driving play by the pack put the home defence on the back foot and the breakthrough was made within five minutes of the start with full-back Glenn Bryce, back to his elusive best, scoring after a fine handling sequence.

This was quickly extended with Finn Russell appearing at centre, to secure a score with a break near the line. The resultant Stuart Edwards conversion establishing a 12-0 lead on 10 minutes.

Inexplicably, concentration waned and a resurgent Gordonstoun side reduced the deficit with a penalty before half-time.

A re-shuffle of personnel at the interval initially resulted in a more composed approach to building attack phases, however, the attack cutting edge was missing as a number of opportunities went a-begging as the ball was spilled in contact or poor passes halted any forward momentum. A yellow card, following a team warning, to prop Graeme Simpson compounded things but the home side were unable to take advantage as improved County defensive organisation kept the home attack at bay.

As the final quarter was reached a break and drive took the County pack within a metre of the Gordonstoun line and a pick and drive from flanker Billy McCulloch eased County nerves as he scored a deserved touched down having been the main ball carrier for much of the match.

Craig Robertson, taking over the kicking duties, slotted a fine conversion from wide on the left to extend the lead to 19-3 with 10 minutes remaining. Gordonstoun were still fighting back and probably deserved their consolation score with five minutes remaining after an overlap was created on the left. Not to be outdone,

County drove back and Glenn Bryce notched his second score and sealed the match with the last play, going over after a positive break from deep in his own half.

County, securing the winning bonus, now travel north again this Saturday to meet Aberdeen Grammar in their final league fixture before the Christmas break.