Blair’s victory with a 12-try blockbuster
Dundee victory is fifth from five games for team
Last Saturday the Blairgowrie senior squad travelled to Dundee for their BT Midlands League II match against Morgan FPs for what was to be a 12 try thriller.
Blairgowrie had made a number of changes to the starting line up from the previous weekend and couldn’t have asked for a better start when young Fraser Black secured the high ball straight from the kick-off forcing the home side to concede an early penalty.
The ball was kicked into the corner and from the lineout the Blairgowrie pack drove over for a try with prop forward Euan Constable getting the final touch down.
Following an excellent break by centre Matty Michie it was Andy McOuat - making a welcome return to the starting line-up - who stole a lineout ball which was then quickly passed along the back line for Rory Grant to race in for Blairgowrie’s second try.
A third try quickly followed after Blairgowrie had won a serious of penalties in the corner allowing Euan Constable to take a quick tap penalty and drive over the line for his second try of the afternoon.
A fourth try was soon to follow after Jackson Wallace made a good break releasing young Murray Ormiston who drew his opposite man before releasing the supporting Neil MacRae on the 22 metre line to score under the posts, which was converted by Stephen Souter.
McOuat secured the ball from the restart and following some good driving by the Blairgowrie forwards the ball was fed out to Michie who raced past a number of defenders to score under the posts, again converted by Souter to make the half-time score Morgan 0 Blairgowrie 29.
Blairgowrie coach Craig Ormiston made a number of changes at the interval but despite conceding five tries in the first half it was Morgan who applied the early pressure in the second half and only some excellent defence by Blairgowrie prevented them from getting on the scoreboard.
Having handled this period of early pressure Blairgowrie winger John McLaren pounced on a loose ball and with the help of Black he split the home defence to score under the posts, which was again converted by Souter.
Blairgowrie were now enjoying much of the possession but some needless mistakes prevented them from scoring until McLaren once again broke down the wing and despite taking a heavy knock the ball was shipped out along the line.
Although Finn Ormiston was stopped short of the try line he still managed to flip the ball up to Fraser Bissett to score a converted try under the posts.
Blairgowrie were well on top with Josh Quay and Mark Reddin putting in some heavy tackles. From a lineout Wallace made a break, passing to Murray Ormiston who drew his opposite man beautifully before releasing Michie who sped to the line, evading a number of tackles for another converted try.
The ninth try looked to have come straight from the training ground with Finn Ormiston securing clean lineout ball which was then driven by the forwards before practically all the backs handled the ball with Bissett getting the final touchdown, again converted by Souter.
From the re-start stand off Wallace secured the ball which was fed out for McLaren to score a converted try in a move which was then replicated when Finn Ormiston secured the high ball, which was passed along the back line back to Finn who scored a converted try.
With the game now drawing to a close Blair added a twelfth try after Mitchell Turk had secured the ball which McLaren took upfield.
With the ball going loose in the tackle Murray Ormiston brilliantly flicked up the ball to the evergreen Alan Walsh who was in support to score under the posts. Souter converted making the final score Morgan 0 Blairgowrie 78.
Team: Euan Constable, Connor Keay, Peter Duncan (captain), Mark Reddin, Neil MacRae, Andy McOuat, Fraser Black, Finn Ormiston, Russell Edwards, Jackson Wallace, Matty Michie, Murray Ormiston, Rory Grant, John McLaren, Stephen Souter, Kyle MacKinnon, Josh Quay, Dave Malloch, Arron Todd, Alan Walsh, Mitchell Tuck, Fraser Bissett.
Man of the match points: Matty Michie – 3 points and Man of the Match, Fraser Black – 2 points, Rory Grant – 1 point.
This Saturday, September 30, Blairgowrie welcome league leaders Hillfoots RFC who are currently unbeaten and have scored over 340 points in their first four league games. Kick-off is at 3pm.
Blairgowrie Rugby Club president Stephen Souter and the committee would like to invite club sponsors for a buffet lunch and drinks before and after the game.
Training continues at the JJ Coupar Park on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7pm. New players always welcome.