Seconds record big victory but lose grip on title

Apr 8 2009 by Alan Rennie, Stirling Observer Wednesday

WEST OF SCOTLAND 2nds9

STIRLING COUNTY 2nds55

STIRLING went to Glasgow looking for a win that would help them retain the Scottish 2nd XV League title.

The Bridgehaugh boys looked lively in the opening exchanges but it was West who scored first, courtesy of a penalty.

County continued to dominate possession and had a score chalked off in the 18th minute when Ian Letton had a foot in touch prior to touching down. The score was only delayed, however, as Dan Mountford finished off some good handling and off-loading.

Ten minutes later another West penalty put the home side into the lead, although their only attacking move had been a break by their big full-back.

County were soon back in West territory and Alan Auld showed strength to break out of his opposite number’s tackle and score under the posts, Jonny Hope adding the conversion points.

Straight from the restart Stirling worked an opening for Dan Jackson but the West cover defence got across to bundle the winger into touch.

Just before half-time West put together their first piece of sustained play in the Stirling 22 but had to be content with three points from the boot of their scrum half.

West would have accepted a half-time score of 12-9 but a try by Ian Letton, converted from the touchline by Jonny Hope, put Stirling further ahead.

Not content with one score, Ian Letton got a second to finish off some slick handling and a half-time score of 24-9 which was a realistic reflection of the play.

As in the first half, it was West who had the first scoring opportunity but this time the attempt was wide. Stirling got back into their stride and a Chris Faill try, converted by Hope, was reward for a series of sustained attacks.

West were guilty of kicking away possession and Stirling were only too keen to run it back to them. From one such kick Gordon McRorie made a lot of ground down the wing before passing inside to Gregor Hamilton.

He breenged his way forward to set up quick ball and, with practically his first touch of the ball, Harry Russell spotted a gap and raced over for the try and a 36-9 scoreline.

On 70 minutes Ian Letton completed his hat-trick, followed eight minutes later by a second try for Chris Faill, Craig Adams having been prominent in the build-up play.

The conversion brought the score to 48-9 with a minute left to play. Urged on by the coaching staff of Alan Blair and Graeme Young and the County supporters, who once again outnumbered the home support, the 2nd XV scored the try of the game to break the 50-point barrier.

County did the job they set out to do but news later filtered through that Heriot’s had beaten Boroughmuir and clinched the 2nd XV championship.