The fact that our plan to put out two fifteens for the first time in 12 or more years (but the pitch was flooded) said everything about the weather conditions.  The playing surface was greasy and wet and not likely to inspire running rugby.

The Harris guys arrived hoping for revenge after a desperately dire game for both teams earlier in the season.  As Panny hooker Duncan Lindsay commented as about the throw in “why doesn’t the ref blow his whistle and put this game out of its misery?”

With Harris Captain Phil Yeaman on the touchline through injury, the game kicked off with Harris playing down the hill yet all of the early exchanges were in the Harris half – and mostly in the 22, but after long spells of good defence Gordon Melville managed to open the days account with a try for Panny after 13 minutes to make it 5-0.

Minutes later, Peter Bruce stormed through from a lineout after poor Panmure ball playing football on the way.  The push in the back from Panny as Snaky went to touch down resulted in a penalty try.  Kenny Clarkson converted to make it 5-7.

The Harris pack were really charged up by now.  At the half hour mark, Snaky’s break resulted in a superb solo try from big No 8 Ritchie McIvor.  Clarkson again converted to make it 5-14 in favour of Harris.

Receiving the kick off, Harris were immediately down field again and as Chas Quinn comprehensively scragged the Panmure receiver, a penalty was conceded some 16 yards out and just to the right of the posts.  Unfortunately Kenny Clarkson’s effort came back off the post.  The half time whistle sounded at 5-14.  A real let off for Panmure.

However, because of the conditions, the slope of the pitch and Panny’s preference for kicking deep, the opposition set out that it was a forward game that they were clearly setting out to play.

Joy for Harris after only 10 minutes of the restart when a quick lineout caught the heavy Panny forwards napping and Adam Wood made the line.  The Panmure inside centre was sin-binned for his illegal attempts to prevent the score.  Clarkson’s conversion made it 5-21.  Three scores now needed for a Panmure win and only one for Harris to ensure a bonus point and surely put the game out of Panmure reach.

But Panny were playing with the conditions and, although not interesting, they were using their forwards to good effect and Jim Davie scored in a push over from a lineout and the try was converted.  This pinned Harris back to 12-21 with 23 minutes to go.

The literal uphill struggle ensued with a Panmure penalty attempt missing with the home side only needing 10 points to win.  Chances to clear Harris lines were spurned and it was a real nail-biter now.  A further pick up from the scrum resulted in an attacking position, but the ball was spilled to Panmure advantage and Panny centre Andy Walton (strangely playing at outside today) just squeezed in at the corner. 17-21 now!

Unfortunately there was more to come, as Panmure pressed the Harris line a clearance from inside the area was charged down to give Panmure a surprising one point lead.

Only seconds remained as Harris stormed upfield.  Panny conceded a penalty some 30 yards out but unfortunately Clarkson’s attempt missed and it looked like that was the end of it.

Harris, however, did have a further opportunity following a further (and bad) piece of Panmure indiscipline – so, one more chance.  Unfortunately, this second attempt was knocked just wide and game went Panmure’s way by one point.