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September 24, 2018
Stirling County 27 pts (t 4, c 2, pg 1) v Currie Chieftains 24 pts (t 4, c 2)
The autumn afternoon was bright and breezy, and this also reflected the style of play that Stirling displayed in the first 20 minutes of the match, as they brushed the sleepy Chieftains aside to rattle in three well-taken tries. The young pumped-up hosts denied Currie possession and made them look rather pedestrian; the Chieftains slipped off tackles and generally failed to exert any authority on proceedings. Stand-off Andrew Goudie skipped through a weak defence for try number one, which was soon followed by two more, from Andrew McLean on the right wing, following some slick handling, and Peter Jerecivich, who was at the back of a rolling maul that looked dangerous as soon as the penalty lineout had been secured. In the blustery conditions, Johnny Hope only converted one try, and the post prevented another.
It was well into the second quarter before the Chieftains started to garner any decent possession when Rhys Davies led a galloping charge into Stirling territory. Going forward, the visitors started to look more like themselves, establishing control and making Stirling concede penalties. Nevertheless, a stout defence and some tremendous positional kicking from Johnny Hope kept the improving visitors at bay. Currie’s task was made easier when a Stirling forward was sent to the sinbin for pulling down a promising drive for the line. The Chieftains kept applying pressure with excellent handling which criss-crossed the pitch. Joe Reynolds, Ben Robbins and Reece Paterson were prominent before the excellent Gregor Hunter stepped through a clutch of tacklers, on his way to the line. He converted his try and added the extras for A.P. McWilliam’s score as Currie lay siege to the Stirling line just on halftime.
Halftime score – Stirling County 17 pts, Currie Chieftains 14 pts
Currie started well after the break and were soon in the Stirling 22, thanks to the astute work of Jamie Forbes and penetrating runs from Robbie Nelson, Campbell Wilson and Steven Hamilton. The match was at a crucial point and the next score could be pivotal. Michael Vernel, Joe Reynolds and Ben Robbins went close, but when the ball was knocked on, Stirling made a crushing escape. The raw young Stirling pack held sway throughout the afternoon, and a devastating backward shunt, plus the resulting penalty lineout, now put the Chieftains back in their 22. Against a very confident attack, Currie did well to hold out, but as the defence was sucked into a wrestling match on the goal line, the ball was moved wide, and Andrew Goudie went in for his second score; Johnny Hope converted.
From the re-start, the Chieftains gained possession; Joe Reynolds, the excellent Roan Frostwick and Steven Hamilton ripped the Stirling defence apart. Steven Hamilton’s try was not converted, but it did keep the visitors within touching distance of the Stirling score. Robbie Nelson and Ben Robbins looked to have a free run down an open pitch, before the referee called play back for a forward pass. Another scrum penalty and some unwanted back-chat had the visitors in more trouble. A long period of attrition, with some exceptional defence, was only broken when Johnny Hope opted to take a shot at goal after Currie had drifted off-side. Try as they would, the visitors could not break the strangle-hold that Stirling were exerting; their pack demonstrated unrelenting strength and generally made the most of any arm wrestle. Eventually Joe Reynolds broke free and accelerated into space which gave the Chieftains’ backs room to manoeuvre. Jamie Forbes, Robbie Nelson, Mac Kelly and Scott McGinley helped to put Ben Robbins in at the corner. The bonus point try was not converted, but the remaining minutes would provide an exciting finale as both teams strived to get an advantage. The Chieftains courageously moved the ball in their own 22 to conjure another break away; Stirling were eager to slow them down and cause trouble near the Currie goal line. The increasingly gusty wind did not help, although it did add to the uncertainty of the situation which had generally been dictated by the spirit and power of the Stirling pack.
Although the Chieftains came away from Bridgehaugh with two bonus points, this was far from a vintage performance. It was at least 20 minutes before the team got into gear, and they were, by then, 17 pts in arrears. Unfortunately, the forwards rarely resembled the usual sharp efficient unit that supplies quick ball for the backs to work with, and at times they did appear to be half a step behind their eager Stirling counterparts; that special little spark was somehow missing, and it showed!
The Chieftain are at Malleny Park next weekend against a revitalised Glasgow Hawks team, who had a good win on the road at Hawick last Saturday. They reputedly have a strong pack, and this will no doubt be an area that the visitors will target. I.J.S, 22.9.18
Team v Stirling County – 22.9.18
Photgraphy (C) Stirling County Facebook
Match Highlights - HERE
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