Stirling County 31 – Jedforest 9
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After a six week enforced lay-off due to the recent winter weather, rugby made a welcome return to Bridgehaugh with County entertaining borders side Jedforest, who unaccustomedly find themselves in the relegation zone.
County fielded virtually the same side that beat Gala in their last match in early December, with Jonny Clarke coming in for the side-lined Robbie Boswell.
Before the match, all at Brigehaugh paid tribute with a minutes applause for the voice of rugby Bill McLaren, revered commentator and broadcaster, who sadly passed away last week.
Straight from the kick-off Jedforest put County under pressure, but the home side weather the storm and a relieving penalty, quickly followed by another award for off-side, gave Brian Archibald an early opportunity to put County ahead, but his kick fell short of the posts. However, Jedforest failed to clear their lines and a quick passing move along the visitors 22 gave Danny Gilmour the space to dive over, and score the opening try. Archibald converted to give County a seven point lead after 6 minutes.
Gilmour was again involved minutes later, when a strong run from his own 22 into the visitor's half relieved pressure on the home side. The match continued in scrappy fashion, with both sides making handling errors and misplaced passes, as a consequence of not having played for over a month.
The visitors were having the better of the early territory, but could not break through the County defence, and turnover ball inside the County 22 let the home backs loose, with Ross Aitken sprinting 60 yards upfield, ably supported by Fraser Lyle and Colin Eadie, with the final pass to Gordon McRorie sending the scrum half under the posts for the second try. Archibald duly converted to put County 14-0 ahead.
County brought on back row forward Ian McLaren, making his well-deserved 1st XV debut, for Colin Eadie. County should have rammed home their superiority at this stage, however chances were squandered by the home side including two speculative drop goals when other avenues may have been more prosperous.
Jedforest seized the initiative in the closing stages of the first half, and only a try-saving tackle by Aitken on visiting hooker Raeburn prevented a breakaway score for the visitors. Jed kept up the pressure and their tenacity led to three penalties all scored by full-back Ewan Scott to keep them in touch at 14 - 9 down at half-time.
Unchanged County started the second half in determined fashion, and on 43 minutes were awarded a penalty on the visitors 22 after Jed had strayed offside. Archibald converted to extend County's lead to 17 - 9.
County pinned Jed back in their own half for lengthy periods, and only a lack of sharpness in the final pass prevented further scoring.
The County pack were now totally dominating their opponents, and following a concerted assault on the Jed line, with visiting scrum buckling under the relentless pressure and with three penalty awards all taken as scrums by County, the referee was left with little alternative but to award a penalty try after the fourth infringement. Archibald converted to give County a deserved 24 - 9 lead entering the last quarter.
County rang the changes, with Robbie McGowan, who replacing Fraser Lyle at full-back, making god use of the ball with a number of diagonal kicks pushing Jed back into their 22.
The visitors to their credit never gave up, and aided by a succession of penalties came within metres of the County line, but the home side won a crucial turnover and a 60 yard clearance kick by Stuart Edwards took play back into the visitors half.
With five minutes remaining and County looking for the fourth bonus point try, a flowing passing move across the pitch, split the tiring Jed defence for Jonny Clarke to go over for the final try, which Edwards converted.
Final score: Stirling County 31 Jedforest 9.
The coaches were pleased with the manner of the victory, particularly given the lack of match practice over the past 6 weeks. The victory takes County back to top spot, on the same points as Hawick with two games in hand over the Greens. County next opponents are Peebles at The Gytes on Saturday, kick off 3pm.
John Graham (Metals) man of the match was Alex Moffat with five votes; Bruce McFarlane and Jonny Clarke received one vote each.
Thanks to County’s main sponsor Ondeo Industrial Solutions and all others who continue to support the Club.
Scorers: County – Tries: Gilmour, McRorie, Penalty Try, Clarke. Convs: Archibald (3), Edwards, Pen.: Archibald.
Jedforest - Pens: Scott (3).
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Stirling County: F Lyle, Addison, Gilmour, Archibald, Aitken, Edwards, McRorie, Hunter, Moffat, Mountford, MacFarlane, Deacons, Eadie, Barstani, Clarke. Replacements: Black, Graham, McLaren, McGowan (all used).
Jedforest: Scott, McFarlane, G Young, Hill, Hogg, C Laidlaw, Goodfellow, Henderson, Raeburn, Holburn, Stewart, Cunningham, Fergusson, Gillespie, Pringle. Replacements: Weekly, S Laidlaw Grieve, L Young.
Referee: T Coutts.
Rugby Round-up:
Stirling County’s 2nd XV extended their year-long unbeaten run at the top of National Reserve League Division 1, with a hard-fought 15 - 12 win over Heriots at Goldenacre. Try scorers were Gregor Brodie and Graham Gilliland, with Jonny Hope scoring a penalty and a conversion. Next up for the 2nds is Watsonians at home on Saturday – kick-off at Bridgehaugh is 3pm.
The 3rd XV are also at home to Ellon on Saturday in the Caledonian Reserve League – Midland Division.
Report by Kevin Robertson
