Third quarter hoodoo strikes

Mar 11 2009 by Alan Rennie, Stirling Observer Wednesday

THE latest sorry chapter in Stirling County’s season of hard luck stories was written at Selkirk on Saturday.

No matter how slim the margin of defeat, however, the failure to win at Philiphaugh makes County firm favourites for one of the relegation slots.

Full marks to a battling young Selkirk side whose tackling was exemplary as they strove to maintain an unbeaten home record this season.

Stirling pounded the home line with wave after wave of attacks in the closing minutes but Selkirk’s defence stayed firm, even though Garry Mountford protested later that he DID touch down the ball – but it was unseen by the ref.

Then, in the last move of the game, a try looked certain after good passing through the backs only for the chance to be lost when the crucial “scoring” pass was knocked on.

Kind words of commiseration from the Selkirk players, officials and fans did little to lift the gloom felt in the Stirling camp afterwards.

County started with a stiff wind at their backs and young Danny Gilmour showed his menace with a super 35-yard break that had the home side in disarray.

With the Scotland Under-20 bosses requesting that Robbie McGowan be rested prior to this Friday’s international, County started with Allan Robertson at No10 despite a damaged hand and Brian Archibald on the bench as he was not fully recovered from a leg injury.

However, Robertson orchestrated Stirling’s opening attacks well and it was no surprise that the visitors took the lead in nine minutes.

Allan Robertson intercepted a Selkirk pass and found himself running clear. Running out of steam, Robertson looked for support and eventually found it in Graham Lyndsay.

Selkirk had regrouped, however, and they stole possession only for full-back Fraser Harkness’s kirk to be charged down by Craig Deacons who plucked up the ball and danced over the line with glee.

County winger Ross Aitken was left groggy after he put in a crunching tackle on winger Jason Hendrie. Gordon McRorie came on as temporary replacement.

A long-distance Robertson penalty in 15 minutes, plus his successful conversion of Deacons’s try, meant that County found themselves 10-0 up.

Stirling then opted for an attacking line-out rather than a tricky penalty kick but the gamble backfired when they lost the ball.

Midway through the half, Selkirk at long last started to string together a few passes but they were knocked back hard in the tackle with Wilba Davies, Johnny Graham and, most of all, Tim Clarke, catching the eye.

Ross Aitken had returned to the fray and he showed his lightning pace in the 26th minute, finishing off a move that started deep in County’s own half and owed much to the incisive running and support work of Allan Robertson and Johnny Graham.

Robertson converted and County were 17-0 up and deservedly so.

Selkirk refused to be bowed and their impressive second rower Eddie Gauche went over for a try after some good continuity play in the build-up.

Leading 17-5 at the turn, County opened impressively, depriving Selkirk of possession by putting together umpteen phases, mostly through the forwards.

Slick passing by centre Scott Hendrie carved open a chance for left-wing Lee Jones which he finished well.

These two players, along with full-back Harkness, are in the Scotland Club International side.

At this stage, Selkirk piled on the pressure and Tim Clarke was being treated for a knock when Jones scored a super solo try, chipping the ball ahead and catching it on the full before scampering over.

Hendrie’s conversion meant the sides were all-square at 17-17 and County’s third-quarter hoodoo had struck again.

Both teams had chances in the closing period but County’s passing let them down a few times. Selkirk then looked sure to score but Aitken put in another super tackle.

With 12 minutes to go, more Selkirk pressure earned them a penalty and Hendry slotted over what proved to be the winning points.

My choice of Stirling man of the match for the John Graham (Metals) Ltd award was Tim Clarke but I wasn’t too disappointed that the vote went to Bruce McFarlane who put in a Herculean shift.

The voting was two for Tim and five for Bruce. On another day, Johnny Graham could have won it as he played his best-ever game for the 1st XV.

SCORERS: Selkirk - tries - Jones 2, Gauche; conv - Hendrie; pen - Hendrie. Stirling - tries - Deacons, Aitken; convs - Robertson 2; pen - Robertson.

Selkirk – F Harkness; J Hendrie, S Hendrie, R Armstrong, L Jones; G Craig, F Jack; G Paterson, S Forrest, M Murray, S Willet, E Gauche, N Darling, C Johnston and S Tomlinson.

Reps – R Nixon, R Taylor, I Walling, R Aglen and R Crockatt.

Stirling County – B Addison; G Lyndsay, D Gilmour, AAuld, R Aitken; A Robertson, G Calder; W Davies, J Graham, G Mountford, B McFarlane, G Gilchrist, T Clarke, C Eadie and C Deacons.

Reps – M Hunter, K Bryce, B Archibald, G McRorie (all; used) and J Hill.

Referee – David Jack, Madras FP.

Stirling County RFC is grateful for the support of main sponsors Simpson Donald and Ondeo Industrial Solutions.

County have no match this weekend as the Scotland Club International side is in action against Ireland this weekend.

Stirling’s next match is the basement battle at Mansfield Park on March 21 against Hawick.