HISTORY MAKERS
Nerve-wracking win puts Blair into BT National Bowl final at Murrayfield
Blairgowrie RFC made history once again as they won 20-17 in the dying seconds of their BT National Bowl semi-final game against Strathendrick RFC on Saturday.
The home tie was played at JJ Coupar Recreation Ground and the hard-fought victory sees the east Perthshire side make the national finals - which are played at Murrayfield in Edinburgh - for the first time in the club’s history.
Going in to the game, Strathendrick who had only lost once so far this season - were arguably favourites to win in what was going to be a real test of character for the Blairgowrie squad.
In front of a large crowd, bathed in sunshine and with the playing surface immaculate thanks to the efforts of longserving groundsman Jock Turpie, the hosts side kicked off the match and within the first few minutes were awarded a penalty some 40 metres from the posts. Stephen Souter’s kick went agonisingly wide.
Strathendrick quickly responded and only a try-saving tackle by Russell Edwards prevented them from scoring in the corner.
The visitors were applying all the pressure but failed to convert two penalties before successfully converting their third penalty to take the lead.
Following some good rucking, the Blairgowrie pack progressed into the Strathendrick 22-metre area and were awarded a penalty which Souter converted to level the scores.
For the next 20 minutes, Strathendrick enjoyed the majority of the possession but some excellent defending by the home side prevented a score until the visitors won a lineout in the corner which led to a well-deserved converted try.
Blairgowrie continued to soak up the pressure and eventually made their way into the opposition’s half, winning a penalty – taken by Souter – to make the half time score 6-10.
From the restart it was Strathendrick who continued to apply the pressure but the home side defended superbly, with both forwards and backs working hard to prevent a score.
The pressure from the Stirlingshire side eventually paid off though with a welltaken converted try to extend their lead and at this point it looked as if the visitors were in control of the match.
With the game in its last quarter, Strathendrick had a player sin-binned which appeared to spur on the home side. Fraser Maxwell, Fin Ormiston, Fraser Black and Mathew Michie all made good breaks.
The Blairgowrie pack were driving their opponents backwards at every opportunity and eventually managed to get over the try line – but the ball was held up, and the opportunity appeared