The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Shire must learn the lesson handed out in Glasgow loss
Aberdeenshire coach Alex Duncanhas told his players must bemore streetwise as they try to bounce back from last week’s capitulation in Glasgow.
Shire were poised to extend the unbeaten start to the season when they eased into a 24- 3 lead inside the opening 20 minutes against GHK.
But the Woodside club’s players were unable to see out the victory with GHK rallying to win 39-24.
Duncan felt the painful defeat was a harsh lesson and said: “It was a bit of a shock. We got into a 24-3 lead and then conceded a cheap try, but I don’t think anyone could have anticipated whatwas going to happen next.
“GHK decided the only way forward was to throw caution to the wind and scored a couple of tries.
“They started to pick up momentum and we just couldn’t stop it. It was not nice to watch.
“We missed the experience and influence of our captain, Greig Ryan.
“It was a unique experience for me as a coach as I can’t remember being ahead by 21 points and that happening.
“That is only three tries, but we have to learn teams are going to attack us when it looks like the writing is on the wall.
“Maybe it is better to learn the lesson early in the campaign”
“We contributed to our own downfall and should have been more streetwise.
“But we made some bad decisions and no one could put the brakes on whatwas happening. Maybe it is better to learn the lesson early in the campaign.”
Next up for Shire at Woodside tomorrow is a Peebles team which drew 22-22 with Kelso to move up to fifth position in the table.
He said: “They will be the first Borders team that we will face and they will be gritty.
“They play as a team rather than a group of individuals.
“They will be buoyant after last week’s draw as a lot of people are tipping Kelso to be the front-runners.
“But they have got to come to Aberdeen and I would expect a reaction from last week.
“There was a good edge to training this week and the good news is Greig is back. We need to manage the games more effectively so hopefully we get a positive response.”