Unlucky Eagles lose in Borders Injury-hit Shire remain in drop zone

St Boswells ...... 33 Perthshire ........ 15 awaited debut back from injury.

Teenager Ruaridh Leader was having his best game for the club, but he was carried off in the second half with a bad ankle injury and will probably have played his last game for the Eagles.

Slick passing took play down to the St Boswells line and Ryan Millar deftly side stepped his way through for Shire’s first try. It was all Perth now as they gave their hosts plenty to think about.

After a long absence from rugby it was understandable that Deardon’s kicking was slightly off and the stand-off missed a couple of penalty chances.

St Boswells made a rare raid into Shire territory and came away with three points from a Keddie penalty - the former Gala man was always going to be a big danger in this game. A short while later he kicked another penalty.

Young Leader then streaked clear of his opposite number to send Clow clear but he ended up in touch close to the line.

Shire won a penalty and Bowater made a perfect catch and drive but St Boswells were penalised and yellow carded.

A quick tap followed and the ball was spread right and left before Deardon crashed over for a well deserved try.

Another penalty chance to increase the lead was missed and Shire had to be content with an 11-15 lead at the interval.

St Boswells have many players who have played at the top level and there was always going to be a revival. They attacked with typical border fury throughout the second half.

A dubious penalty was awarded and Keddie converted again but Shire stuck to their guns with some powerful tackling. Dan Bowater was one of the best players on display.

But the Perth men were soon under pressure as hooker Stevie Gray was forced to move to second row. That meant the scrum was struggling and lineouts started to disintegrate.

Knowledge of the pitch and a terrific boot meant that Keddie could belt the ball 60 metres down field to turn defence into instant attack for the home squad.

They grabbed a try to lead 21–15 with half an hour to go and Leader was carried off which left Shire with a monumental mountain to climb. Dan Rae filled in at centre and his defensive play was impressive.

Another of the club’s talented teenagers, Shaun Barton, was full of running despite having also been out for a while through injury.

Shire closed strongly and pressured the line only to see the ball go loose and Keddie again thumped into touch.

The line out was lost again allowing Walker to go over untouched, giving St Boswells a bonus point to move into second place in the league.

The next fixture is against thirdplaced Highland at the North Inch on Saturday, January 7.