This was definitely a different display
Perthshire head coach Alan Clark admits it’s a“huge boost”to pick up five early season points.
The Eagles impressed, certainly in the first half, to run out 34-19 winners against Orkney at the North Inch on Saturday.
Clark (pictured) wanted a reaction from his players following a below-par performance in the season opener away at Ardrossan Accies.
“The way the guys played and approached the game on Saturday felt different,”Clark said.
“When we arrived, and all the way through to kick-off, there was a different feel about them.
“They had a kick in the backside at training during the week and were aware it was pretty unacceptable the way they played the week before.
“They let themselves down - we all let ourselves down. So they were definitely looking to rectify that on Saturday.
“There was a point to prove, to ourselves as well. We had a pretty good pre-season and needed to prove that wasn’t a fluke.
“I think we set the standard in the first half. We dropped off the pace a little in the second half.
“We let Orkney into the game a little bit and, against other teams, that is not going to cut it for us.
“But it’s a huge boost. It was October time before we got any points on the board in the league last year. That puts pressure on.
“But conversely, as we said before, it makes a huge difference when you get five points in your second game.
“If we can back that up with another result this Saturday, then you put yourself in a strong position for the year.”
Shire head for Edinburgh this weekend for a tussle with MurrayfieldWanderers.
And Clark said:“You never know what you are going to get from Murrayfield Wanderers. They are quite a heavily-focused student team.
“With the universities now being back, Edinburgh benefits from that massively.
“Across this whole league, you never know what you are coming up against week to week.
“We’ll prepare as if it’s the Murrayfield Wanderers who put us to the sword at the end of last season.
“If they are slightly weaker, we’ll take that.”