Defensive slips cost County vital points
Stirling County...26 Watsonians ........ 31 Stirling County snatched defeat from the jaws of victory with a second-half defensive performance which let them down.
Watsonians got what they deserved out of this match after overcoming an 11-point deficit at half-time to secure a bonus point win which sees them climb to fifth in the table.
The home team opened the scoring with a try from hooker Reyner Kennedy, who bulldozed over for a score which was converted by Jonny Hope.
With just over 10 minutes played, the visitors pulled back a penalty by scrum-half Ali Harris. Stirling should have taken their penalty opportunities in the first half, when they dominated possession and field position, but wasted two easy kicks to go for the corner with no reward.
County eventually made all that time in Watsonians’ half count with a try five minutes before the break, flanker Shaun MacDonald touching down. Again Hope added the extras.
The second half kicked off with Euan Dods installed at number 8 for the visitors and his impact was obvious as the men from Edinburgh went back to “up the guts” rugby.
But County were the first to cross the line, with Ewan Macgarvie scoring what might be try of the season. A dinky kick behind the Watsonians defence from Hope saw Macgarvie kick ahead on the volley and dive on the loose ball ahead of his opposite man. The try was fully deserved for Macgarvie, whose jinking runs had been attacking highlights of the first half.
Hope missed the conversion but, with just over 20 minutes to play and 19-3 in front, the winning points looked secure.
It was time now for Watsonians to start getting points on the board, with the first of their quick-fire tries coming from flanker Gregor Nelson just under the posts. It was an easy kick for Ali Harris, who would finish the match with a 100 per cent kicking record.
County were now struggling to contain a revitalised Watsonians attack. A driven line-out saw hooker Ross Graham go over and with the conversion it was suddenly a twopoint game.
Watsonians took the lead with just over 10 minutes to play as another period of heavy pressure on the County line saw second row Jamie Hodgson get in on the try scoring action.
Stirling’s defence was crumbling and it was almost straight from the kick-off that Watsonians found themselves with a three-on-one attacking situation. Michael Allen coolly strode over and placed the ball down for the bonus point.
A late revival from County was heartening and a fourth try and bonus point were secured when second row Callum Hunter-Hill smashed over.
County coach Graeme Young said Stirling only had themselves to blame for this defeat, which sees them slip behind Watsonians in the league.
He said: “First half was excellent, really good. We had field position, we had possession and I thought we controlled the game. We looked really patient and our scores came well. But in the second half we came off a yard and I think the difference is we started letting them play.
“Defensively we didn’t have the same amount of line speed. We were waiting for them defensively, which meant they had the initiative.”
The John Graham Metals Man of the Match was winger Ewan Macgarvie.
www.theoffsideline.com Bryan Robertson