Perthshire lose out in Dumfries
Coaches targeting team spirit
Dumfries’ Henderson breaks through Shire defence Dumfries ........... 43 Perthshire ......... 7 to contain them and were left to chase shadows.
The home side realised that Shire were very exposed out wide and within 20 minutes they were 17 – 0 up after they ran in another try.
The first half was embarrassing to watch as Perthshire tried to get back into the game, but the ball retention and standard of passing was atrocious.
Dumfries scored again a few minutes later after they spread it wide and left Shire’s scattered defence in tatters.
With five minutes of the first half remaining, Connor Key had to be replaced through injury and Stevie Gray slotted into the front row. Stevie is the third generation of his family to pull on the Perthshire jersey following dad, Elliot and grandfather Watt and his impact was immediately noticed.
Dumfries were awarded their umpteenth penalty and being full of confidence elected for the scrum again but were totally taken aback when Shire pushed them right off the ball.
Unfortunately, Shire’s counterattack was ruined after the ball was spilled again with the try line a-begging.
Shire’s small band of supporters were more than a little concerned about what might happen in the second half as Dumfries had wind advantage, but they could hardly believe the change in their team.
They were dominating the scrums, Bowater and Clow were cleaning up in the lineout but most importantly the forwards were cutting off the supply of ball to the Dumfries backs.
This meant that Shire could attack - and they certainly did.
They won a scrum and Clow almost scored but the ball was dropped.
Dumfries showed how dangerous they could be up the wings and had a try disallowed after their winger stepped in touch.
Perthshire were transformed. Matt Rae and Dom O’Connor constantly probed to find gaps but found them quickly closed off.
Clearly the generosity and hospitality shown by the Dumfries committee did not extend beyond the clubhouse as their defence was as tight as a drum.
Williamson, Forrester, Clow and Bowater all made dents in the Dumfries defence but somehow it managed to hold firm against the onslaught.
Shire had more ball in the first 20 minutes of the second half than they had in the previous 40.
Matt Rae was almost clear on three occasions but again the finishing was just not equal to the initial bursts and Dumfries showed how competent they were and in their first real attack of the second half they again scored out wide.
Shortly afterwards, Dom O’Connor slipped his opposite number and won a penalty.
Millar took it quickly and young Ruaridh Leader crashed over for Shire’s try.
Ryan Millar constantly probed for weaknesses in the Dumfries defence and had a superb game covering for the absent Gav Bloice at scrum half.
James Forrester was again through but the ball was turned over and another try opportunity lost.
Shire dominated most of the second half but didn’t have the skills to make it count and Dumfries ended with another wide try which again highlighted the main area of Shire’s weakness.
This must be extremely frustrating for the Shire coaches.
They have a set of forwards capable of standing toe-to-toe with the best in the league, but unless they can find a way of injecting more intensity and accuracy into the backs and shoring up the defence out wide, Shire will struggle this season.
There is now a three-week break for the autumn internationals followed by a home match against Livingston on December 3.
At least the goals for the remainder of the season are clear now.
Perthshire are 10 points behind RHC and Dalziel, who they need to overtake, but both these teams have a game in hand.
It’s a tall order but one which is achievable with everyone pulling together and all players committing to the cause for the remainder of the season.