Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership – Division Two
Aberdeen Grammar 0 - Stirling County 36
County moved five points clear at the top of Premier Two with a resounding five-try victory over Aberdeen Grammar at Rubislaw.
County fielded the same starting line up that defeated Glasgow Hawks the previous week.
With a slight breeze in their favour, County had the better of the opening exchanges, and with four minutes on the clock, the ball was moved through the hands of Stuart Edwards, Gordon McCrorie and Ross Aitken, with the winger sprinting 40 yards before off loading t o Danny Gilmour to score the opening try. Brian Archibald converted from the touchline to give County an early 7 – 0 lead.
County continued to press and Archibald added a penalty on 10 minutes after Aberdeen’s No. 6 was were penalised for picking the ball up in an offside position following a knock-on.
Two minutes later, the ball was fed out to Colin Eadie on the left-wing, and he kicked ahead for the chasing Gordon McRorie to force Aberdeen to carry over the try-line. From the resultant 5 metre scrum, the County forwards controlled the ball and pushed their opponents over their own line, with Bengi Bersanti touching down. Archibald converted to extend County’s lead to 17-0.
Aberdeen began to come more into the game, and a spell of pressure on the County line was eventually relieved by Edwards clearing to half-way.
County could have added to their tally when McRorie was through with a two man overlay, but chose to step inside and the chance was lost. However on 32 minutes following a passage of scrappy play in midfield, Archibald broke clear and a kick-ahead was picked up on the run by Robbie McGowan who scored under the posts. Archibald converted to give County a commanding 24 – 0 advantage at half-time.
Aberdeen started the second half in determined mood, and pinned County back in their 22 with 10 minutes of concerted pressure. Following a succession of infringements, prop Gary Mountford was sin-binned. Craig Black came on for Bruce McFarlane to make up the front row. From the resultant scrum, County won a crucial turnover on their own line, and ran the ball out of defence, with a break by Bersanti ending in a relieving penalty for County following Aberdeen coming in from the side.
County re-asserted their dominance and following four phases of play on the Aberdeen line, Alex Moffat picked up and dived over to score the fourth bonus point try after 54 minutes. Archibald converted to give County a 31-0 lead.
Going into the last quarter County rang the changes, with all replacements taking the field. Unfortunately John Graham only lasted three minutes before being yellow-carded for picking the ball up in an offside position to disrupt an Aberdeen attack.
In the final minute, an Edwards penalty took County into the Aberdeen 22, and from the line-out the ball was moved along the backs with Ben Addison making 20 metres before passing outside to Aitken to cross the try line to make the final score 36 – 0.
County coaches were delighted with this performance, the third match in succession in which County have not conceded a try.
John Graham (Metals) man of the match was Robbie McGowan with 3 votes. Alex Moffat, Bruce MacFarlane, Colin Eadie and Danny Gilmour all picked up 1 vote - n.
Scorers: County – Tries: Gilmour, Bersanti, McGowan, Moffat, Aitken. Conv.: Archibald (4). Pen.: Archibald.
Aberdeen Grammar: Taylor, Philips, Scott, Caine, Nelson, Oliver, Adams, Carson, Shannon, McConnachie, Douglas, McCaul, Warnock, McGuiness, Russell. Replacements: Henderson, Wilson, Caddell, Bennedick.
Stirling County: McGowan, Addison, Gilmour, Archibald, Aitken, Edwards, McRorie, Hunter, Moffat, Mountford, MacFarlane, Deacons, Eadie, Berstani, Clarke. Replacements: Black, Graham, McLaren, D Lyle.
Referee: C Samson.
Next Saturday County are at home to Haddington – kick off at Bridgehaugh is 3pm.
County have drawn Selkirk at home in the next round of the Cup – tie will be played on 13 March.
Thanks to County’s main sponsor Ondeo Industrial Solutions and all others who continue to support the Club.
Rugby Round-up:
With no other rugby played this weekend, Stirling County’s 2nd XV’s next match is away to Boroughmuir on Saturday – kick-off at Meggatland is 3pm.
Report by Kevin Robertson
