RUGBY Lead slips as Shire exit National Cup

HOWE OF FIFE ..................................... 27 PERTHSHIRE ......................................... 12

Only two weeks had passed since Perthshire made the short journey to Cupar to face old rival Howe of Fife in the league.

And last weekend the first round of the National League Cup took the determined men in black and white back to Duffus Park.

Shire travelled with a depleted squad and, similarly to the previous encounter, this proved to be an exciting game of two halves.

The Eagles started brightest and brought real intensity and purpose to the opening minutes. They were unlucky to come away with nothing from multiple visits to the Howe 22.

And it was against the run of play when a defensive mix-up allowed the hosts to open the scoring.

Perthshire showed endeavour and, after building the phases, a large overlap materialised on the left wing.

Stand-in fly half Jonny Armitt put in a sweet cross-field kick, collected by Aidan Watson, who used his pace to burn the full-back and score.

Promising for Perth fans was the dominance in the set-piece, while the safe hands of James Mair and Ewan MacKessack-Leitch retained line-out ball nicely on numerous occasions.

But it was another rare mistake which allowed Howe to pounce and bag their second try following a loose ball deep in visiting territory.

Heads remained high and, not long after, a moment of class from Sammy Isac delighted the travelling support.

Nicknamed the Tanzanian Wizard, he stormed down the touchline, chipped over the top and scorched the earth as he made the line.

Armitt added the extras and that gave Perth players a slim, but deserved, 10-12 advantage heading into the second half.

Energy levels were raised further after the break and Howe’s gaining of ground finally paid off with an unconverted try.

But Shire’s Matt Rae was partnering well with Ross Goodison in the centre to make strong inroads.

And the latter must have a neck of steel for the number of high tackles he received, frustratingly most going without punishment.

The game would slip away from the Eagles in the latter stages with two further home tries.

Andy Jack’s run of carries made a real impact on the match and it was a blow when he was forced off after a knee rearranged his facial features.

The back row covered acres of the pitch while debutants Rabson Chipakupaku and Angus McPherson performed admirably, as did Kieran McLean who recently made the step-up from the Colts.

Late on in the match tempers flared with handbags and frank exchanges occurring off the ball.

Eventually captain Ryan Miller and a Howe prop were sent to the sin bin but Perthshire, for the most part, managed to maintain their discipline and gave no quarter.

This weekend, after the World Cup final, the North Inch side travel to face Murrayfield Wanderers where they managed an upset to win last year.

This part of the season should see Shire pick up more points.