Harris kicked off, kicking the ball deep into the Blairgowrie 22 and immediately took the game to Blair’ by keeping up constant pressure on the ball-carriers. In order to relieve the pressure we were putting on them, Blair’ were forced to kick the ball upfield. The kick was returned with interest and Blair’ were forced to touch down for a 22. Eventually, Blair’ managed to get up-field and from a scrum on half-way, Peter Bruce (Snakey) was penalised for breaking early. Blair’ kicked the ball up to our 22, however they were unable to take any advantage.

Blair’ were beginning to play more in our half and our backs were penalised for coming up too early. Blair’ opted to kick to touch and from the resulting lineout put a few phases together, however our defence held firm forcing Blair’ to chip ahead but Adam Wood remained calm under pressure to collect the kick and clear the ball up-field.

In 17 minutes, Blair’ took the lead. Milney picked up from a scrum on our 5m line and drove forward gaining ground. The ball was fed back to Woody but his clearance kick was charged down, bouncing over the line leaving the Blair’ attackers the simple task of flopping down on the ball. The conversion was missed. (5-0)

From the re-start the ball was kicked direct into touch however Blair’ did not make anything of it as they were penalised at a ruck for handling the ball back. Woody kicked the ball into the Blair’ 22 and from a clean catch by Colin Gourley, our forwards drove towards the Blair’ line. However this time it was the Blair’ defence which held firm and they eventually cleared up-field.

The Harris supporters were incensed soon after as the Blair’ scum-half stamped down onto Calum Roy’s leg as Calum shifted his positioning whilst trying to prevent the scrum-half from coming round. Unfortunately this went unseen by the referee as it happened on the blind-side.

In 21 minutes, we gained some reward for our efforts. The ball came back from a ruck on our 10m line and was fed out to Milney who threw one of his trade-mark dummies and took off down-field. However, no longer having the speed to go all the way to the line, opted to kick ahead. Andy Quinn followed up and his tackle saw Blair’ penalised for playing the ball from an offside position. Ken Clarkson knocked over the resulting kick. (5-3)

Blair’ applied pressure from the re-start but resolute Harris defending forced them to kick ahead into our 22. Marc Wilson took the mark. His kick to touch made it safely, but the Harris supporters were in serious danger of being decapitated as the ball sped towards them at head height.

In 30 minutes, Blair’ were penalised for not releasing in the tackle, however the wind took Kenny’s kick wide of the posts. We took the lead just before half-time through another penalty after Blair’ were penalised, this time, for collapsing a maul. (5-6)

Blair’ kicked the re-start deep and Joe Abbott was forced to kick across his posts to touch. Colin Gourley relieved the pressure by stealing the Blair’ throw.

Half-time reflections: The wind, although mostly blowing across the field, was playing havoc with the lineout for both sides and neither were able to get much clean ball to their scrum-halves. We just shaded the domination for territory and deserved our slender half-time lead.

Blair’ took the game to us at the start of the second half and were immediately awarded a penalty for us encroaching at a ruck but missed the kick at goal. Blair’ continued to play the game in our half and only a superb cover tackle in the corner by Woody prevented Blair’ going ahead after some fine interplay between forwards and backs.

The game developed into a game of kick-tennis as both sides tried to gain territorial advantage with Blair’, having what wind-advantage there was, gaining the upper-hand.

We continued to press forward however and some good interplay between Woody, Sama’an and Swannie took play mid-way into the Blair’ half forcing Blair’ into some desperate tackles. One of these saw a Blair’ player take a knock to the head and, as play continued, lie motionless on the ground. Players eventually saw what was happening and the game stopped to allow him to receive attention. The injury was not as bad as feared and he was soon back on his feet and the game resumed. (Served him right for tackling with his nose said a Blair’ spokesman)

On the hour-mark Blair’ were forced into making a change after their stand-off was stretchered off with a serious leg injury after receiving a hefty Harris tackle. (According to the same Blair’ spokesman it was nothing more serious than a ladder in his sock). Blair’ regained the lead shortly after this from a penalty after we were penalised for holding onto the ball 15m out. (8-6)

Blair’ continued with the up-and-under tactic and once again we were penalised for holding on to the ball in the tackle at the base of our posts. At this point the Blair’ captain had a slight aberration and in arguing with the referee saw the penalty reversed to Harris and marched 10m back.

With time running out we were awarded a penalty just outside the Blair’ 22 but Ken Clarkson’s well struck kick (perhaps too well struck) hit the left-hand upright and bounce back into play. Mike McDonald, following up, collected the ball but was penalised for holding on in the tackle.

This let-off gave Blair’ the chance to get up-field again. In the final minute Blair’ were awarded a penalty in our 22 after we were penalised for coming in from the side. Blair’ took the penalty quickly and forced their way over in the corner for a try. To compound the loss of the try, it was converted and so denied us a losing bonus point. (15-6)

Full-time reflections: We were denied the points that our tenacity so richly deserved in this closely fought match, however it was indiscipline in the last 20 minutes which let to our downfall. Every player involved however put in a tremendous shift and the spirit and commitment were there for everyone to see.

The Man of the Match Award was closely contested but eventually awarded to Andy Quinn. Even though he was only on the park for 65 minutes, Andy got through a power of work both in open and close play. (Also for not buying Milney’s dummy).

NB
A late change had to be made to the Harris line-up as captain, Phil Yeaman, had to pull out on the morning of the match due to his wife being rushed to A & E after being involved in a car crash earlier in the morning. All involved with Harris FP Rugby Club wish her a speedy recovery.