County edged out in close contest
Bryan Robertson
Stirling County ..8 Watsonians ..... 14
after Tagive tackled him late.
The half ended with County holding on to their five-point lead but it did not last long once the game restarted as Millar added a second penalty to close the gap.
The game remained in the balance for a time but it was tipped in Watsonians’ favour by Ali Harris. Kicking the the ball through a gap in the defence out wide, he followed the kick through and chased it down before collecting and carrying it over the whitewash to put his team into the lead for the first time.
County had plenty of pressure and looked sure to cross the line but with 10 minutes to go Watsonians secured a turnover and went on the attack.
The referee awarded them a penalty at the breakdown and Millar was on target once again to make it 8-14.
A converted try would have been enough for Stirling to seize the victory and with a minute to go they were awarded a penalty.
They kicked to the corner but after countless phases of play, another lineout and a continual battering of the Watsonians line County were unable to get over. Eventually the ball was fumbled and the referee blew his whistle for time.
Watsonians head coach Steve Lawrie praised his players’ commitment, saying: “The performance was full of character, especially the defensive effort at the end. We did seem to make it as hard as we could for ourselves at times once we got the ball back.
“But credit to Stirling. I thought they played a really good first half.
“You know when you come here that you’re going to get a really tough game. Eddie has got the guys playing really well. I thought set-piece-wise they edged it so we need to get better in that area.”
Stirling County: Robertson; Tagive, MacGarvie, Hughes, Brogan; Goudie, Jericevich; Holborn, Kennedy, Walker, Pow, Yarrow, Burr, Arnott, Mackie. Subs: Emmison, Woods, Bundy, Henderson, Sorbie.
County have no game on Saturday because of the Scotland v Fiji match at Murrayfield. They are back in league action on Saturday, November 17, when they travel to Edinburgh Accies.
Report provided by www. theoffsideline.com.