SCRFC S1 v. GALA, 22/1/12, at Netherdale, Galashiels.
The game was played in bright sunlight that didn't mitigate the freezing crossfield windchill the players experienced on this newest of awaydays, to a team so far not seen at Stirling, or any previous tournaments. Despite the unfamiliarity of the opposition, the squad coped well with the soft underfoot conditions, and played flowing rugby from the outset.
Three 20 minute periods were agreed at kickoff, and Stirling quickly established a territorial advantage that never diminished. Gala competed well up front, but were exposed on the perimeter, where they failed to cope with the speed and passing of Stirlings backs, while being denied any progress up front by the forwards.
The first score came shortly after kickoff, with Andrew McLean taking quick ruck ball, and using his trade mark show and go to pause the defence long enough to create a gap to cut inside and score just to the right of the posts. Angus Cooper shone in the forwards with quick thinking at the front of the line out, twice taking quick short throws-ins off Galas hooker and running upfield. This display was later capped with a fine try in the second period.
Cameron Pender replicated this stylish McLean score with a similar effort, the only difference being him cutting outside to outpace the defence into the right corner for the touchdown. This supremacy was also punctuated by crunching tackles from Bryce Robertson, Calum Cruickshank and Charlie Dineen.
Jonathan Ross next showed his agility and speed with a try in the right side, slicing between defenders from good ruck ball. This conversion was one of the few made on the day in a vicious crosswind, converted by Andrew Mclean.
In the second period, Gala made some ground into County territory, and Ross Murray had a try saving tackle on the left touchline. A short time after which, the speedy Charlie Dineen picked up loose ball and ran away from Gala to score at the posts. Andrew McLean again converted. His footballing skills were next shown when Gala spilled the ball in midfield and McLean fly hacked the ball, then dribbled it to score under the posts, with a skill not often seen outside the SPL. XP was also good.
Gala scored their consolation next, which was converted. County replied with a trademark Dineen surge and outside burst to score. Ross Mcran then scored from short range after an impressive debut at scrum half, even adding the extra point to crown his day. Jonathan Ross rounded off the day with another silky run through centrefield, to score under the posts, leaving Mcran another conversion.
Ross Murray was the coaches tackler of the day
Final Score; SCRFC 29-4 GALA.
Paul Johnson
