Eagles suffer a brutal defeat in the cold fog
Highland prove to be tough test
Perthshire put pressure on the Highland defence Perthshire ............. 0 Highland ............ 24 Perthshire on the attack
Fraser struck the ball sweetly to make the conversion.
Shire’s backs were not getting their usual supply of ball and what they did get was slowed down by some wily play from Highland’s back row.
They did produce sublime moves and Clow and O’Connor battered the Highland line trying to find a gap.
Ryan Miller was fielding all Highland’s clearance kicks and his mazy running was gaining yards for his team.
Highland’s defence was as tight as a drum and even with Coull, Duncan Clow and Bowater crashing through the middle it still held firm.
Towards the end of the half, Highland were on the attack but with Shire’s strong defence it looked as though this would be a thrilling but low scoring game.
The second half saw more of the same with the Shire scrum retreating backwards again as Highland’s pack exerted strong, controlled pressure. developing this aspect of their game.
Coull kept Shire in the game and he turned defence into attack as the backs raced back up the wing but the move fizzled out when the ball was thrown forward.
Disaster struck when Shaun Barton was duped into a retaliation right in front of the referee and was rather harshly yellow carded.
Shire’s forwards had trouble containing Highland when they had eight A Perthshire player attempts to evade a tackle men but when they went down to seven it was mission impossible.
Once again Highland found space down the wing and try number two was scored.
Shire had a real fight on their hands now but held on until Barton returned.
A brilliant move up the wing should have brought a reward but, in trying to keep the momentum going, the ball was flipped away in the tackle only to be gratefully received by Highland and Titteringham galloped 60 metres untouched for the killer score.
Highland were forced into conceding numerous cynical penalties late in the second half and it was very surprising that the referee did not see fit to start issuing yellow cards.
Highland’s supporters just about outnumbered Perthshire’s and they endeavoured to spur their team on during the final stages as they aimed for the bonus point try.
It did come and unsurprisingly started with a tremendous scrum which had Shire reversing at speed.
They realised that there was no way through the midfield or centre but once again exploited the wings and McLeod cantered in for the final try.
Perthshire need to regroup once again and with the prospect of a long trip to Orkney on Saturday it is hoped that the players will show commitment and make themselves available for selection.
Shire still have eight games to save their season and avoid relegation but the whole club now needs to unite behind the team to ensure Perthshire is still playing National League rugby next season.
Long time junior and senior level Dom O’Connor is leaving the club - moving to Dublin to continue his studies.
Dom has been a rock for Perthshire for many seasons and his tries have lit up many a gloomy winter afternoon.
Everyone at the club wishes Dom the best of luck, and hope he will still be able to pop across and claim his jersey when the call goes out.