Historic day for Blair RFC
Scrum-thing special : champs for first time
Blairgowrie RFC triumphed in the Midlands Bowl Cup Final at the weekend for the first time in the club’s 37-year history.
Around 200 supporters packed three coaches and many cars to make the trip through to Broughty Ferry for the match against Dundee Medics - all set on cheering on the Blair lads in their first regional final since 1995.
And despite a difficult first half and horrendous weather conditions they weren’t disappointed as the boys from Blair secured a hard-fought win.
There were celebrations in east Perthshire at the weekend after Blairgowrie RFC triumphed in the Midlands Bowl Cup Final for the first time in the club’s 37-year history.
An estimated 200 supporters packed three coaches and many cars to make the trip through to Broughty Ferry for the match against Dundee Medics. They were set on cheering on the Blair lads in their first regional final since 1995.
Despite a difficult first half and increasingly horrendous weather conditions, Blairgowrie were leading at half time and, following a break of just five minutes, came back into the game with renewed vigour and conviction, securing a convincing 6 - 28 win.
The fans had come prepared with customised flags, hip flasks and sparkling wine to toast the team’s success from the sidelines - as well as some very vocal support for the Blair champions - and they weren’t disappointed.
At the Blairgowrie RFC Clubhouse after the game, captain Andy McOuat thanked all the players for a fantastic effort, all the supporters for travelling to Dundee, Smiths Coaches for providing the buses, Alan Bannerman and the staff at the Red House Hotel for the pre-match lunch and Stephen Souter, Josh Quay and Tom Helyer for manning the bar at the clubhouse.
Speaking to the Blairie afterwards, president of Blairgowrie RFC, Fraser Bisset, added: “I am super proud of everyone - the team, the coaches - for all the hard work and training that everyone put in.
“And thanks to everyone who came along to support us on the day - it was just great.
“It was a fantastic day and couldn’t have gone any better than it did.
“It really was a combination of everything that came together and worked on the day.
“I have been playing rugby for 17 years and that was probably the most brutal game we have ever played. Dundee Medics are no pushovers and the conditions were so cold, it was a feat of endurance.
“It was nothing but hard work that went into that win.”
And one happy supporter commented: “It was a great day.
“Even if they hadn’t won, the result wouldn’t have really mattered to the supporters, it was all about being there for the boys and them playing their best, that’s what’s important.
“But to come away with a win was just the icing on the cake. It was a well-deserved victory, they worked really hard for it and we’re all so chuffed for them.
“Well done lads, you’ve done Blairgowrie proud!”