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BANNOCKBURN (1xv) - Report
Date: Saturday 20th October 2012 - Kick Off: 15:00
RBS Caledonia Regional Leagues - RBS CALEDONIA LEAGUE DIVISION 3 MIDLANDS WEST
| Bannockburn (1xv) | 16 | vs | 0 | Blairgowrie (1xv) |
HARD FOUGHT WIN CLINCHES TOP SPOT
Bannockburn produced their most convincing performance of the season to claim a hard-fought win over unbeaten Blairgowrie and clinch a place in the promotion play-offs.
Blairgowrie arrived at Bluebellwood as the division's form team, averaging more than 50 points per game in the first six fixtures of the season.
The game was keenly contested - three players were sent to the sin bin during the course of the match - but played in a good spirit and the visitors showed enough to suggest the return fixture at JJ Coupar Park in the new year will be equally tight.
'Burn kicked the match off and enjoyed the majority of possession in the opening minutes. They met strong resistance from the Blair defence and the stalemate was only broken when the referee ruled the visitors had infringed at a ruck just outside the 22. Stand-off ANDY COWAN stepped up to convert the resultant penalty and make the score 3-0.
The contest remained tight for the rest of the opening 40 minutes, with both sides tackling well and putting up a real fight for the ball at the breakdown. Centre LEE CAMERON and stand-in captain STUART HUGH caught the eye in both attack and defence for 'Burn, but the Blair line proved difficult to break.
Blair remained a threat with the ball in hand and a last-ditch tap tackle by scrum-half STUART McGOWN was required to snuff out a threatening attack deep in 'Burn territory.
The Beavers stretched their lead shortly before half-time, thanks to another Cowan penalty, and reached the break with 6-0 lead which was probably deserved on the balance of play.
The second 40 minutes proved equally even. 'Burn started to get the upper hand in the lineouts - hooker Philip Chaulke working well with main jumpers GREGOR QUEEN and STUART HUGH - while Blair continued to pose problems with strong running round the fringes which was met with some fierce home tackling. SCOTT McGOWN caught the eye with some big hits in midfield while replacement BRYAN PATERSON made an impact with some strong ball-carrying.
The game's only try came midway through the second half and proved to be decisive. A clean lineout take by Hugh set up a strong attacking position in the visitor's 22. The Blair defence was stretched on the right and when play was switched to the opposite flank, Chaulke, FRASER DUNBAR and TONY POLLOCK combined to set Cameron free in half a yard of space 10 metres from the try line. He evaded a couple of tacklers to dab down and take the score to 11-0. A beautifully struck Cowan conversion added two more.
The hosts kept the scoreboard ticking over when Cowan, who had narrowly missed with two drop goal attempts, made it third time lucky and extended the margin to 16 points.
Blair came back strongly and had spent the remainder of the game camped in the 'Burn 22. Some determined last ditch defending kept them at bay, however, and the home team hung on to claim their place at the summit of the table.
This was easily Bannockburn's best performance of the season and ensures the new year will feature a chance to go for promotion.
STUART HUGH, who carried the ball well and tackled fiercely throughout, was a worthy man-of-the-match although the home ranks contained many strong performances on a good day for the club.
'Burn round off the regional component of the league with a home game against an Alloa 2nd XV next week. A place in the promotion play-offs is secured and, if results go our way, Bannockburn could go into the second phase of the season as table-toppers.
Blairgowrie arrived at Bluebellwood as the division's form team, averaging more than 50 points per game in the first six fixtures of the season.
The game was keenly contested - three players were sent to the sin bin during the course of the match - but played in a good spirit and the visitors showed enough to suggest the return fixture at JJ Coupar Park in the new year will be equally tight.
'Burn kicked the match off and enjoyed the majority of possession in the opening minutes. They met strong resistance from the Blair defence and the stalemate was only broken when the referee ruled the visitors had infringed at a ruck just outside the 22. Stand-off ANDY COWAN stepped up to convert the resultant penalty and make the score 3-0.
The contest remained tight for the rest of the opening 40 minutes, with both sides tackling well and putting up a real fight for the ball at the breakdown. Centre LEE CAMERON and stand-in captain STUART HUGH caught the eye in both attack and defence for 'Burn, but the Blair line proved difficult to break.
Blair remained a threat with the ball in hand and a last-ditch tap tackle by scrum-half STUART McGOWN was required to snuff out a threatening attack deep in 'Burn territory.
The Beavers stretched their lead shortly before half-time, thanks to another Cowan penalty, and reached the break with 6-0 lead which was probably deserved on the balance of play.
The second 40 minutes proved equally even. 'Burn started to get the upper hand in the lineouts - hooker Philip Chaulke working well with main jumpers GREGOR QUEEN and STUART HUGH - while Blair continued to pose problems with strong running round the fringes which was met with some fierce home tackling. SCOTT McGOWN caught the eye with some big hits in midfield while replacement BRYAN PATERSON made an impact with some strong ball-carrying.
The game's only try came midway through the second half and proved to be decisive. A clean lineout take by Hugh set up a strong attacking position in the visitor's 22. The Blair defence was stretched on the right and when play was switched to the opposite flank, Chaulke, FRASER DUNBAR and TONY POLLOCK combined to set Cameron free in half a yard of space 10 metres from the try line. He evaded a couple of tacklers to dab down and take the score to 11-0. A beautifully struck Cowan conversion added two more.
The hosts kept the scoreboard ticking over when Cowan, who had narrowly missed with two drop goal attempts, made it third time lucky and extended the margin to 16 points.
Blair came back strongly and had spent the remainder of the game camped in the 'Burn 22. Some determined last ditch defending kept them at bay, however, and the home team hung on to claim their place at the summit of the table.
This was easily Bannockburn's best performance of the season and ensures the new year will feature a chance to go for promotion.
STUART HUGH, who carried the ball well and tackled fiercely throughout, was a worthy man-of-the-match although the home ranks contained many strong performances on a good day for the club.
'Burn round off the regional component of the league with a home game against an Alloa 2nd XV next week. A place in the promotion play-offs is secured and, if results go our way, Bannockburn could go into the second phase of the season as table-toppers.
Player Of The Match
Not Selected
Comments (1)
Andrew Cowan - 7 months agoI wanted to say a big thank you to everybody for their performance on Saturday.
In a short time you all have come together and are playing as a team which we as a club have been lacking in recent years. Individuals have matured and are beginning to show their true rugby potential and providing a solid team structure which others can play off. Saturday has shown that we can play any team without fear as we all believe in our own and others abilities. Even more exciting is that you are just starting on a journey which can only lead one way and that is up.
I only wish I was five years younger to be able to join in and keep playing in the firsts as the club grows. As the body is still recovering from Saturday I am looking to get the Bulls up and running this weekend so all players can join in the fun of winning.
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