Irresistible Blair destroy Panmure
Another impressive victory for side
Blairgowrie welcomed Panmure to JJ Coupar Park on Saturday then sent them homeward to think again after a rugby annihilation.
Blair were hoping to continue their unbeaten run in the BT Midlands League Division II but were conscious that the corresponding league game last year ended in a draw.
From the kick-off it was evident that Blairgowrie were up for the game, scoring three quick tries from Stephen Souter, Peter Milne and Rory Grant within the first 10 minutes of the match.
Blairgowrie were playing some excellent rugby with both forwards and backs combining well and a fourth try was soon to follow through Matthew Michie after a good break by winger Murray Davidson.
Try number five was then scored by captain Peter Duncan after a break by Neil MacRae with the sixth coming from Murray Ormiston after some great handling skills by Fraser Black.
Try number seven came via winger John MacLaren after some clever play by both forwards and backs. The eighth – arguably the try of the match – followed a superb passage of passing play between the Ormiston brothers, with Finn providing the final pass for brother Murray to score under the posts.
The ninth try of the afternoon came as a result of some great driving by prop forward Kyle McKinnon with hooker Liam McLaren getting the final touchdown in the corner which was then followed by a try from full back Stephen Souter after some good work by Andy McOuat.
With the first half drawing to a close Blairgowrie were awarded a penalty try after great work by second rower Liam Tweedie to make the half time score Blairgowrie 73 Panmure 0.
With the Blairgowrie coaches ringing the changes after the break and Panmure in the unfortunate position of not having any substitutes, Blairgowrie continued to enjoy much of the possession.
Panmure deserve credit for continuing to compete but it was the home side who were to score their 10th try through winger John MacLaren after a break by Liam Tweedie who was tackled just short of the try line.
MacRae secured the ball from the restart and then broke forward over the halfway line, and from the ensuing scrum Rory Grant picked up the ball and sped to the try line for Blairgowrie’s 11th try of the afternoon.
Despite the onslaught, Panmure encamped in the Blairgowrie 22 metre area for a while. But following a high ball, Souter called the mark on his own try line and then quickly fed the ball to Matthew Michie. He got as far as the halfway line before Rory Grant picked up and raced over for his third try of the afternoon.
The next try came as a result of some excellent forward play by Josh Key, Connor Key and Arran Todd, with Finn Ormiston getting the touchdown.
Panmure progressed upfield and were rewarded for their efforts with a penalty try following a high tackle by a Blair player.
With the game drawing to a close, Tom Helyer was unlucky not to score when he was stopped short of the try line after a great break by Davie Grieve, but the ball was quickly recycled by Russell Edwards out to Fraser Bissett with young Murray Ormiston scoring his third try of the afternoon which he then duly converted.
With Stephen Souter having successfully converted nine tries during the match the final score was Blairgowrie 106 Panmure 7.
Team: Peter Duncan, Liam McLaren, Kyle MacKinnon, Liam Tweedie, Neil MacRae, Andy McOuat, Fraser Black, Rory Grant, Peter Milne, Murray Ormiston, Mathew Michie, John McLaren, Murray Davidson, Stephen Souter, Josh Key, Connor Key, Arran Todd, Davie Grieve, Russell Edwards, Tom Helyer, Fraser Bissett.
Following the match Blairgowrie captain Peter Duncan thanked Panmure for competing to the very end while also thanking referee Neil Young for handling the game superbly, and Louise Wightman and Kirsty Brown for taking charge of the food and the bar.
Man of the match points were awarded to Neil MacRae – 1 point, Peter Milne – 2 points and Rory Grant – 3 points and Man of the Match.
This Saturday, October 28, Blairgowrie are away to Stirling County 3rds. Team selection and travel arrangements will be announced at training which takes place at JJ Coupar Park at 7pm on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. New players always welcome.
... young Murray Ormiston scored his third try of the afternoon which he duly converted...