Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership – Division Two
Kelso 20 - Stirling County 15
In short, County failed to turn-up at Kelso on Saturday, and were fortunate to take a bonus point after their poorest display of the season. That said, only two points are required from the remaining four matches to ensure a return to the top-flight.
Injuries affected County’s selection with David MacMillan, playing his first rugby in three months, coming in for the side-lined Bruce MacFarlane. Robbie Boswell also made his return for the injured Colin Eadie. Kelso fielded their strongest XV and were desperate for a win to ease their relegation worries.
Kelso had the better of a scrappy opening, and went ahead with a penalty from full-back Greg Ponton on 8 minutes, after County were penalised in the scrum. County had their opportunities with Brian Archibald missing two early kicks at goal.
With County pressing, a loose pass on half-way was intercepted by Kelso outside centre Greg Minto, who ran in unopposed to score the game’s only try after 13 minutes, giving the home-side an 8 – 0 lead, with the conversion missed.
County responded with a penalty from the re-start after Kelso were penalised for going over the top. Archibald scoring to reduce the deficit to 8 – 3.
Back came Kelso, re-gathering the ball from the kick-off, and forcing County to concede another penalty for off-side, kicked by Ponton to give the home-side an 11 - 3 advantage.
County began to exert pressure on the home defence and following a series of attacks, Danny Gilmour broke through and forced a penalty with Kelso not releasing in the tackle. Archibald scored to keep County in touch at 11 – 6.
Play was constantly interrupted by the referee’s whistle, but to be fair he was consistent in his decisions and penalised wherever the ball was illegally slowed down. Persistent infringements by both teams led to two yellow cards, Keen for Kelso and Bersanti for County.
On 37 minutes, Ponton kicked a further penalty for Kelso, after County were caught off-side. Then County were awarded a penalty for the home-side going over the top, which Archibald scored to make the half-time score 14 – 9 for the home-side.
In to the second half, and Kelso increased their lead with a penalty from Ponton after 46 minutes. County brought on Craig Black for McMillan and Glenn Bryce for Ross Aitken, but could make little head-way against a resolute Kelso defence. Archibald notched a further penalty after 65 minutes to make the score 17-12.
Kelso, sensing victory, attacked on both flanks, and only a mis-placed pass and last ditch tackle by Robbie McGowan prevented the home-side scoring. Both sides exchanged penalties on75 and 76 minutes, to set up a tense finish, with County’s forwards pounding the Kelso line, but the home-side held out a deserved win, much to the delight of the Poynder Park faithful.
County have four league games remaining and require two more points to ensure promotion and 14 points for the championship. – so there is still much to play for.
Final score: Kelso 20 Stirling County 15
John Graham (Metals) man of the match was Brian Archibald with 4 votes, Graham Lindsay received 3 votes and Alex Moffat picked up 1 vote.
Scorers: Kelso – Try: Minto, Pens.: Ponton (5).
County – Pens.: Archibald (5).
Kelso: Ponton, Hartley, Minto, Utterson, Mulroy, Ford, Tait, Lowrie, C Riddell, Keen, Laing, Wallace, Murphy, G Riddell, Moody. Replacements: Porteous, Brown, Szkudro, Frame.
Stirling County: McGowan, Lindsay, Gilmour, Archibald, Aitken, Edwards, McRorie, Hunter, Moffat, Mountford, Deacons, McMillan, Clarke, Boswell, Bersanti. Replacements: Black, Simpson, Robertson, Bryce.
Referee: Jean-Marie Burel.
Next Saturday, County entertain Premier One side Selkirk in the second round of the Cup, kick-off at Bridgehaugh is 2:30pm, ahead of he Calcutta Cup match.
Rugby Round-up:
Stirling County’s 2nd XV lost for the first time in 15 months, going down 18-11 at home to Edinburgh Accies. Dan Jackson scored County’s only try, with Jonny Hope adding two penalties. The seconds remain on top of the National Reserve League – Division One, and take on Watsonians at Bridgehaugh on Saturday – kick-off 12:30pm.
The 3rd XV lost 26-0 away to Morgan in the Caledonian League.
Report by Kevin Robertson
