Stirling County 10 – Heriot’s 24
County went into their match with Heriot’s looking to build on their opening league victory at Dundee the previous week. With injuries and player unavailability, County brought back Danny Gilmour in the centre and Campbell Rae made a rare 1stXV start in the second row, with Tim Clarke returning to the starting line-up.
Right from kick-off County attacked the visitors and after 3 minutes, a speculative kick forward by Robbie McGowan was mishandled by Heriot’s stand-off whose ponderous clearance kick was charged down by the on-rushing Sean Kennedy, who gathered the ball on the 22 and scampered over the visitor’s line to give the home side an early lead. Stuart Edwards converted to make it 7-0.
Although County had the better of the first quarter, they hurriedly kicked away too much possession, which in turn handed the visitors more attacking opportunities. After 24 minutes Heriot’s reduced the leeway when Eccles went over. Heriot’s were now asserting themselves, and a lack of composure and poor decision-making put the home side under further pressure. On 35 minutes, Heriot’s backs moved the ball swiftly along County’s 22 to create a gap for Walker to score in the corner, giving the visitor’s a 7-10 lead, which they held to half-time.
Late first half injuries to Bengi Bersanti and Mike Doneghan didn’t help County’s cause, with Dan Mountford and Johnny Hope coming on as replacements.
Heriot’s started the second half the way they finished the first, putting County under intense pressure, and the home side did well to repel the sustained attacks, with the County forwards putting in a power of defensive work with the visitors encamped within the County 22 for long-periods. County didn’t help their cause by trying to run the ball from their own 22, when long clearance kicks would have been more profitable and given their defence some relief. Nevertheless it took Heriot’s till 60 minutes before they got the breakthrough, with Dymock scoring, converted by Wilson to put the visitors clear at 17 – 7.
County refused to buckle and in a rare attack were awarded a penalty for Heriot’s defenders going over the top, which Edwards converted to take County to within 7 points of the visitors with 5 minutes remaining. Any thoughts of County securing a bonus point evaporated when Learmonth scored a simple try with two minutes remaining converted by Wilson to give the visitors a 24-10 bonus point win.
County couldn’t be faulted for effort, particularly in defence, where the tackle count was immense. After the match Director of Rugby Eddie Pollock summed up proceedings stating that Heriot’s were efficient in their use of the ball, County were not. County will learn from this defeat, particularly in the way they cope with the pressure that Premier One brings.
Man of the match was Tim Clarke who secured 6 votes with Colin Eadie picking up one.
Final score: Stirling County 10 Heriot’s 24.
Scorers: County – Tries: Kennedy. Conv.: S Edward. Pen.: S Edwards.
Heriot’s – Tries: Eccles, Walker, Dymock, Learmonth. Conv.: Wilson (2).
Stirling County: McGowan, Lindsay, Addison, Gilmour, Doneghan, S Edwards, Kennedy, Hunter, Moffat, G Mountford, Rae, Eadie, Bersanti, Clarke. Replacements: Morrison, Simpson, D Mountford, McRorie, Hope (all used).
Heriot’s: Goudie, Walker, Learmonth, Saunders, Nimmo, Hunter, Wilson, Dymock, Burnett, Cameron, Martin, Reid, Eccles, Lee, Dewar. Replacements: K Bryce, Ward, Parker, Ferguson, G Bryce.
Referee: J van der Merwe.
County’s next league match is on Saturday away to table topping Glasgow Hawks, kick-off at Anniesland is 3:00pm.
Thanks to County’s main sponsor Ondeo Industrial Solutions and all others who continue to support the Club.
Rugby Round-up:
Stirling County’s 2nd XV, recorded their second successive bonus point victory, with a narrow 24-20 home win over Heriot’s to move to the top of National Reserve League Division 1. Try scorers were David McMillan (2), Gregor Brodie and Finn Russell, who also kicked two conversions. Next week the seconds also visit Glasgow Hawks.
County’s 3rd XV enjoyed a 36-5 home win over Falkirk seconds. The thirds begin their Caledonian Midland League campaign with a home match against Morgan Academy – kick-off at Bridgehaugh on Saturday is 3pm.
County’s Under 18s recorded an impressive 19 – 15 win away to Stewart’s Melville school on Saturday, in preparation for the U18 Caledonian League, which begins on Saturday at home to Perthshire – kick-off at Bridgehaugh is 1pm.
Report by Kevin Robertson
