CRIEFF CURB LATE RALLY TO NABWIN
Crieff and Strathearn RFC withstood a late Perthshire rally to record a valuable 24-22 home win in the league on Saturday.
The Blue and Golds went into the Caledonia Midlands League Division 3 derby looking to continue a three-game unbeaten run against the Fair City club’s second string – which are now known as the Eagles.
The opening action was frantic and it was all Crieff at the start as they took the ball hard to the line and asked difficult questions of the defence.
The Eagles held on, just, and Thomas Pounder seized possession after intercepting on the goal line.
It was a sprint covering 95 metres and he was just denied by an almighty cover tackle from the flying fullback which bundled him into touch.
Shire used the field position to force a Crieff knock-on and, from the base of the scrum, Dane McGregor picked and went, his hulking frame just stopped short.
The Eagles played a couple of phases but were illegally turned over. The penalty was tapped and taken back to the line, this time Alan Clark got the ball out to fly-half AJ Guthrie.
His dummy flummoxed the defence and then a delayed pass found centre James Mair who dived over for the opening try, which Guthrie converted.
Now it was Crieff’s turn to attack. They again worked the ball well but tackles from Clark, Mair and Ross Alexander kept them at bay before Guthrie kicked three points.
The tempo calmed for a few minutes and the Eagles switched off momentarily.
The hosts took advantage and worked the ball out to the wing – where a sleepy defence did not respond – and crossed over in the corner for an unconverted try.
Both teams revved-up again with play moving from end-to-end and it was not long before captain Ryan Beaton surged over to score.
Shire were living dangerously as the break approached and the pressure told when the home winger ran into the space to score in the corner.
The opening 10 minutes of the second half were calamitous for the Perth men. The soft initial tackles continued and the scramble could not compensate.
Crieff crossed after gliding through the centre, despite Pounder covering and wrestling the scorer onto his back. Minutes later, slicing through again, Crieff ran under the posts to now lead 24-15.
Despite Georgina Adams’ powerful shift repairing broken bodies, the constant changes to the line-up were affecting the Eagles’ ability to find a rhythm or structure.
Superb runs by Mikey Evans were not backed up and the forwards could not capitalise on barging carries by Beaton, James Marley and Kieran Maclean.
The momentum swung in Shire’s favour when, after one penalty too many, Crieff saw a player sent to the sin bin.
Eventually after multiple phases and repelled attacks, Cameron Craig found the opening he needed. Guthrie added the extras and it was a two point game with minutes left on the clock.
The game ended as it began: at a high pace and in chaotic fashion. Shire were in the right position but a lack of composure allowed Crieff to win the ball back and boot it into touch to end an entertaining and breathless encounter.
Crieff and Strathearn RFC are due to play Bo’ness away in the league on Saturday this week.