Jan2010

                                      Grangemouth V Crieff & Strathearn

Given the atrocious weather over the last couple of months it was no surprise that Crieff took to the field somewhat rusty and lacking match practice. Perhaps more worrying is the lack of strength and depth at this point in the season with a full compliment only being reached by drafting a few of the club's Second XV players.

In the reverse fixture earlier in the season, Crieff fought back heroically to snatch the points but at a cold and damp Grangemouth no such turn around was ever on the cards. From the first whistle it was clear that Grangemouth were intent on revenge and with their forwards and backs linking well and driving hard, it wasn't long before the Crieff line was breached. Grangemouth clearly had the edge in pace in the back line and their talented antipodean stand off orchestrated moves with no lack of speed or skill. Crieff however should be due no small amount of credit for their part in an entertaining first half which finished 17-3 to the home side. The Crieff pack in particular competed well and were steady and organised at the set piece. The last ten minute of the half were spent on the Grangemouth try line and a solitary Wishart penalty seemed scant reward for their efforts.

The second half showed up a lack of fitness in the Crieff defence and after limiting their opponents to the addition of only two tries in the first twenty minutes of the half, the last twenty was a disappointment. Again the pace of the Grangemouth backs was too much to handle and in particular the strong running of their number twelve proved the difference. Crieff did get some consolation 5 minutes from full time, with an excellent period of pressure culminating in an unconverted Wishart score.

Although the score line suggests a rather one sided affair, Crieff did have periods of good pressure and cannot be faulted in terms of effort. With a backlog of unplayed fixtures in the pipeline it is vital that the club seek to improve their fitness at training .
21Nov 09
Dreary Basement Battle

Kinross 8   Crieff & Strathearn    0

In shocking conditions the two basement teams battled it out in Kinross . Predictably there was little to shout about from either team and the 0-0 score line at half time summed it all up   . Crieff with arguably the stronger squad on paper failed totally to get their act together and play as a unit. How they can expect advancement without a coach on board defies logic Kinross on the other hand endeavoured to play with some structure and benefited from the visitors inability to kick decisively out of hand. A try and a penalty were just reward for the homesters in a somewhat dire overall display. The Blue and Golds are away next week to Aberdeen Uni .

07 Nov 09
Not Quite Good Enough !

Crieff & Strathearn 19   Ross Sutherland   25

Scottish Hydro Electric Caledonian 1

With the Blue and Golds finding themselves plunged deep into the relegation zone , Saturday’s match against Ross Sutherland from distant Invergordon , at the Braidhaugh was a golden chance to grab some much needed   points . The Highlanders were promoted from Caley 2 North last season and after a strong start have stumbled somewhat on their path to success over the last few weeks . For Crieff the absence of the Coffey brothers , Andy and Jamie together with Gordon Innes denuded the back line of much of its essential flair . The final squad was : Olivier ; McInally Halley McIntosh and Hubbard ; Wishart and Butler ; Lute Horan Harvie Gordon Jolliffe Haggart Kennedy and du Toit . On the bench were Stott Leger and Watson .

In cold damp conditions the only blessing was the absence of the Braidhaugh breeze . A period of early pressure drove play into the Ross half but a quick counter saw the homesters concede a silly penalty for going over the top . With the kick goaled it was 3 – 0 for the visitors . The home pack were once again marking their card and winning the tussle in the tight . A strong burst by the rombustious Jolliffe saw the Aussie nearly clear but found himself isolated and the danger was averted . Crieff pressure continued and a Kennedy penalty narrowly was pulled wide . With Butler once again proving his resiliency and providing steady ball , the backs were being given ample opportunity to make their mark . A succession of dropped passes and badly placed kicks out of hand dented the attacking opportunism and kept the northerners in the game . Crieff were giving away too much possession and conceding penalties through lack of all-round cohesion .

As the game entered the second quarter , a forward drive by the sizable Harvie took play well into the Ross twenty two . Butler sped the ball wide and Halley spotting the gap cruised through for a well taken try . With Kennedy’s conversion pulled wide it was 5- 3 for the blue and Golds . With Watson on in the centre their was now greater physicality in the attacking options . Yet again the deficient kicking from hand was blunting the edge and Ross were proving more adept in adapting to the cold conditions and displaying a clear superiority in the handling stakes . With six minutes to the break , Crieff once again hit the self destruct button conceding a stupid penalty in front of their own posts and it was 6- 5 to the visitors . It was frenetic stuff as the Crieff pack drove forward and du Toit showing a lively presence in getting to the break down . With the line in sight it was Kennedy who made the drive forward and it was try number two for the Blue and Golds. Kennedy’s kick was spot on to post a 12- 6 home lead . With minutes left to the break a Ross Sutherland attack was halted on the twenty two . From the ensuing scrum , the Crieff backs with a degree of naivety drifted forward passed the off side mark and it was yet another careless penalty conceded directly in front of the posts . This was too good a gift to miss and it was 12- 9 . Crieff ,despite winning the try count 2- 0 at the turn , had left Ross in close contention by conceding so many careless penalties .

The second half followed much in the same vein . Crieff’s inability to structure their attacking moves was negating the advantage in the tight of the pack . Despite winning a number of strikes against the head the advantage was being lost by poor kicking from hand . Ross were contesting the line outs well . For the Braidhaugh men , the moving of the athletic Halley to the back division was reducing the options up front . With the visitors going over the top , Kennedy’s ensuing penalty kick was agonisingly pulled wide .

Despite winning so much possession the Blue and Golds were failing to utilise the advantage . A failure to clear their lines under pressure saw Ross take possession and with tackles missed they were over the line for an easy try and straightforward conversion . The Blue and Golds were now , one might say , paying the penalty . The game see sawed backwards and forwards for the next 20 minutes as neither team seemed capable of imposing their authority on the pattern of play . With quarter an hour left things suddenly began to happen . Yet another penalty given away by Crieff saw Ross extend their lead to 19 –12 . This seemed to trigger the Braidhaugh pack into a controlled period of attack . A superb dive from 15 metres out shunted the opposition backwards and despite the frantic attempts to halt the forward momentum is was a phalanx of Blue and Gold jerseys pored over the try line for a Harvie to claim the touch down . With Kennedy’s kick struck sweetly between the sticks it was 19 – 19 all .

The last ten minutes were an unmitigated disaster for Crieff . Leading 3- 1 on the try count and dominating up front here was a game to be won . All credit to the men from Invergordon whose tenacity and superior handling brought its just reward . A succession of moves by the Blue and Golds kept play pinned in the visitors twenty two . Three kickable penalties were used to push play into the corners . Great defence kept the frustrated home backs in check . With a minute to go a high ball by Olivier was fielded well by the Ross full back who set off on a mazy run avoiding the desperate attempts to stop him . A high tackle halted his progress and a fine kick from 40 metres pushed Ross into a vital 3 point lead . With two minutes of injury time played yet another rashly conceded penalty saw them take the match by 25 points to 19.

For Crieff to score three tries to the visitor’s one should have been adequate to take the points . For Ross Sutherland all credit for a well earned victory . Their handling and overall game structure was superior to that of the homesters .For Crieff , this was to a certain extent a self inflicted loss. The absence of Halley in the line out was a key factor . The lack of continuity and the concession of six penalty goals is inexcusable . Both Harvie and Kennedy have to be commended for their training in put but the absence of full time coach is proving a key issue .In two weeks ( 21 Nov 09 ) the team meet fellow basement contenders Kinross at Kinross with a 2pm kick off . The ability to win is clearly there but application and the correct attitude is perhaps not .

Understrength Crieff fall again at away hurdle

St Andrews Uni 50    Crieff and Strathearn 8

Being more than a mile from the Braidhaugh the Blues and Gold once again found difficulty taking the tortuous route to St Andys .Late changes to the squad saw Jim Coldwell come in at full back and Pierre Leger and Fermin Vidal Costello to the front row . The understrength squad fought tenaciously which is toi their credit . A try by Kenny Butler and a penalty by Cammy Kennedy were the sole rewards for an aftwernoon of hard work . Do I detect an improvement in attitude and resove ? This week Ross Sutherland came to the Braidhaugh with a 2 pm kick off .
Braidhaugh Battle Proves A Cracker As Mackie Snatch Deserved Win

by

Colin Mayall

Crieff & Strathearn 16   Mackie FP   18

National Caledonia 1

Saturday’s National League match at the Braidhaugh proved a great advert for National League Rugby. With visitors Mackie FP propping up the table there was great hope that the Blue and Golds would revert to true form after a spell of comparative mediocrity. The Jekyll and Hyde performances have been a source of frustration for the local support as they have conceded barrow loads of points whenever travelling more than a few miles from base. The previous week’s encounter with promotion chasing Strathy at Inchmacoble Forfar saw another heavy defeat as the squad travelled and competed with the bare fifteen players, ten of whom were non-regular first choices. Reasons not excuses are essential to interpret the current situation. The lack of 1 XV coach is one that must be addressed and the need to instil commitment throughout the squad must be dealt with as a priority.

The squad selected last Saturday saw the return from Inverness of the talented Jamie Coffey in the centre. Regrettably his first choice partner Gordon Innes was still on the injured list resulting in Ewan McSorley moving to the back line from the back row whilst NJ du Toit made his home debut on the open side flank .The line up was: T Olivier; W Hubbard E McSorley J Coffey and A Coffey; C Wishart and K Butler; D Harvie G Stott C Gordon K Jolliffe L Halley NJ du Toit C Kennedy and S Horan .On the bench were M Luti G Davis and F Vidal Costello.

Despite the torrential rain pre kick off the pitch was in remarkably fine condition with little of the usual Braidhaugh breeze evident. The opening encounters were fairly even as play sees sawed backwards and forwards. The Crieff pack looked good in the initial set pieces with the sizeable Harvie anchoring the front row and a couple of strikes against the head to set the tone. With nine minutes elapsed first blood went to the homesters as a series of Mackie forward infringements saw Kennedy go for goal and it was 3 – 0 for the Blue and Golds. Mackie were keen to move the ball wide and it quickly became evident that their back line had a degree of pace and ability. Wishart at stand off made the break but with players on his outside took the wrong option by attempting to chip ahead. In the line out the athletic Halley was once again soaring high and providing good ball. With some fourteen minutes gone Crieff were beginning to find the wrong side of the ref and with both Horan and Jolliffe being penalised for coming in from the side, the east coasters found themselves within kicking range of the home posts. Suddenly in the space of ten minutes the men from Stonehaven were 6 –3 ahead and beginning to assert pressure on the home defence. With the ball being moved out wide, the fragility of the home cover was being exposed with both wings coming under pressure.

The game was emerging as an intriguing battle. The home pack were showing the form that has been missing for so long with that old battler Craig Gordon in the forefront of the activity whilst the abrasive and effective Jolliffe in the thick of every maul. With captain Kennedy back to his best and sniping from the tail the home back three were marking their cards. Du Toit is a class act whilst the ebullient Sean Horan showed clearly how much he has been missed. With some ten minutes to the break it was Crieff who were dominating territorially. Jolliffe again was carrying and making ground. An awkward fall saw the nuggety Aussie retire with a shoulder injury to be replaced by Vidal Costello. Despite the substitution, the forward momentum of the Blue and Golds continued and a powerful surge drove the Mackie scrum backwards and it was Costello, of the fresh legs, who claimed the touchdown. With Kennedy’s kick pulled just wide the teams turned at the break with the Blue and Golds edging it by 8 –6. What had been encouraging from the overall perspective was that both teams had endeavoured to move the ball about despite the heavy and greasy conditions.

The second half resumed very much as it had left off .The home pack resumed business in the same vein. With Jolliffe back into the boiler house the control of the forward thrusts was very much that of the Blue and Golds. Jamie Coffey, eager as always for the break, was finding the Mackie defence resolute and with them beginning to edge the battle at half back , a series of counter breaks had the Crieff defence stretched. With five minutes gone a great break by Kennedy was stopped short feet from the line .A series of infringements by the pressurised Mackie front five saw a penalty conceded in front of the posts when perhaps a penalty try may have been the correct decision. With Kennedy’s kick on target it was now 11 – 6 and things going very much the homester’s way. Minutes later Crieff were back into enemy territory and with the rampant pack getting to the break down en masse it was exciting stuff. A powerful drive from ten metres out saw the redoubtable Harvie use his considerable avoirdupois to crash over for a superb try. With the conversion pulled wide, it was now a comfortable 16 – 6 lead for the Blue and Golds with half an hour of play still to run.

It was at this stage that the script was torn up and Mackie played their ace cards. It was clear, that despite the home superiority up front, the Stonehaven backs appeared both faster and slicker in moving the ball about. The ensuing last quarter saw a complete transformation as their greater pace began to be utilised. The halfbacks with quick distribution were allowing their centres the space to be innovative. Both Mackie wingers looked menacing and the options were appearing. For Crieff, their pack seemed to ease off the pressure at what was the critical stage in the game .A superb forward drive drove towards the home line. Quick ball saw nimble hand move it wide and with the game into the final quarter it was a great try under the posts. The simple conversion now changed the whole scenario. For the Blue and Golds, the panic button saw a succession of silly conceded penalties and the over enthusiastic Halley yellow carded. Down to fourteen men, Crieff were now under increasing pressure. With five minutes left the extra man overlap saw the Mackie winger touch down in the corner and it was indeed poetic justice. Once again the Blue and Golds snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. A deserved first win for Mackie who despite being under the cosh for most of the game showed resolve, determination and ability belying their current status. For Crieff, an encouraging performance from the pack who have the makings of a sound bedrock. The lack of pace and penetration in the backs is the Achilles heel. Wishart is a superb full back and not allowed to give of his best at fly half. The return of Gordon Innes is much awaited.

Next week the trek is to St Andrews (2 pm kick off) and one trusts that the travel problem is at last resolved. The League is now nine games old. Orkney must be favourites with a competent win over Strathie at Fortress Pickaquoy whilst St Andrews sauntered home against Kinross. Glenrothes must be outside favourites but there is a long way still to go!

17 Oct 09

Strathmore V Crieff & Strathearn

Crieff & Strathearn loose out to Strathmore in League match

The Blue and Golds returned to true Jekyll and Hyde form last week when they made the trip to Forfar to challenge promotion challengers Strathmore . After their recent gutsy win over Grangemouth it was a big disappointment that with some ten players unable to make the trip the weakened squad conceded some eighty points to a single response by Andy Coffey who touched down for a fine try .

This Saturday the team are at home to basement team Mackie FP from Stonehaven who drew with fellow strugglers Kinross . One hopes that some stability will return to a team who at full strength are a match for most , but seem incapable of fielding an effective line up away from home . Kick off at the Braidhaugh is at 3pm .

10 October 09

Back from the dead!

Crieff & Strathearn    19     Grangemouth Stags    15

Scottish Hydro Electric National Caledonian One

This was drama of the highest as the Blue and Golds turned a 15-0 half time deficit into a superb win of four points. This had the Braidhaugh faithful on their toes as the homesters turned in a vintage performance against the seasoned warriors of Grangemouth. Crieff having suffered three successive defeats were struggling badly to come to terms with the aggressive competitiveness that is Caley One. This is a competition where no prisoners are taken as clubs battle for supremacy and that single promotion place leading to the higher echelons of National rugby.

It would have been interesting to have been a fly on the wall of the Braidhaugh changing rooms during mid week training. The transformation both in attitude and performance was nothing short of a miracle after the succession of debacles, which have paved the early season’s path. Critical to the transformation last week’s wind swept thrashing at the hands of Madras was the changes to the squad. Back into action came the talented and pacey Craig Wishart and Highland refugee Jamie Coffey now plying his trade in a local hospital rather than in distant Inverness. The third and significant change was the return of Adam Murdoch. The Methven man has been unavailable for too long and his pace and powerful boot were a welcome adjunct to the team’s attacking armoury. The pack had on paper an appearance of solidarity as the selectors battled to get a blend that was capable of holding its own both in the tight and in the critical line out department. The final squad was: Harvie, Pilgaard and Gordon, Halley Jolliffe, McSorley, Di Comite and Kennedy; Butler and Wishart; Olivier, Hamilton, J Coffey and Hubbard; Murdoch. On the bench were Sayman, Luti and A Coffey.

With Gordon Innes a late withdrawal after a training injury Wishart moved to stand off with Jamie Coffey going to centre to partner Paul Hamilton. Conditions were generally good but with a steady breeze blowing down the park. Stags with the wind in their backs quickly made their intent clear as the ball was pumped into the home twenty-two. The early pressure on the Crieff defence was exposing a worrying uncertainty and a hesitancy in clearing their lines. With just three minutes gone a prodding kick from the Stags stand off was fielded in goal. Wishart with little option went on the counter only to find his kick charged down in the corner and as the hungry hoards poured through it was a touch down and five points for the men from Grangemouth. Up front the home front row were putting in a lot of work with the sizable Harvie stabilising things and providing a solid base. Crieff pressure was rewarded when with Stags going over the top a penalty came within kicking range. Kennedy’s strike was pulled narrowly wide and it was still 5- 0 to the visitors.

As the wind freshened, Grangemouth began a succession of long balls into the Blues half. With Murdoch back to his alert best the danger was being ably countered and some aggressive thrusts from both Coffey and Hamilton in the centre augured well. With the game well into the second quarter, disaster struck the Blue and Golds. A loose ball thirty metre out from the visitors line was gathered by the stand off Skipper. Showing good presence of mind a long kick ahead was sent over the heads of the flat defence and as he gathered it on the bounce the gates opened and he was in under the posts for a well-taken opportunist try. With the conversion goaled the Braidhaugh men found themselves 12 – 0 in arrears and not looking as if they were going anywhere.

From a Braidhaugh perspective, it was at least encouraging to see the line outs beginning to show a positive pattern. With jumpers, Halley and Kennedy being ably propelled upwards by Gordon and Harvie, the supply of clean ball was, after the famine, was very noticeable . With the game fast approaching the half way stage, Grangemouth continued to pressurise. A penalty from short range virtually in front of the posts was pulled wide by their hirsute stand off Skipper . Crieff were being penalised all to frequently and conceding too many penalties. With the break almost upon us Stags consolidated their overall supremacy with a well-drilled penalty to turn a comfortable 15- 0 ahead.

Whether it was the half time oranges, the fizzy water or indeed Captain Cammy’s pep talk, the Blue and Golds, with the strengthening wind at their backs, took off into the attack at ninety miles per hour. The home pack were picking and driving with a new found confidence into the heart of the Stags .The new found partnership of Lennox Halley and Kurt Jolliffe in the boiler house proving a key factor whilst the aggressive thrusts of the mobile back row of McSorley, Di Comite and Kennedy was causing their opponents all sorts of problems. The front row was however the revelation. With Dan Pilgaard, sadly playing his last game in the Blue and Gold strip, showing great mobility and Harvie and Gordon the rock fast anchors of this reborn eight.

As the third quarter progressed, the pattern of the game was radically changing. The grizzled warhorses of the Stags pack were finding themselves on the back foot. A succession of prolonged debates with the ref cost them yardage and Crieff were within striking distance of the visitor’s line. A great pick and drive saw Harvie and Gordon in the van and it was the latter who claimed the touchdown. The veteran Auchterarder man has been a true stalwart of the Club over the years and this was yet again true reward for hard graft. With Kennedy’s kick struck sweetly between the uprights it was game on at 15- 7. With the Stags on the rack it was a total transformation. The line out was going Crieff’s way and Butler at the base was on a new lease of life whilst Wishart’s clever kicking and eye for the break were bringing in the powerful play of centres Hamilton and Coffey. Another home attack in the right hand corner saw quick ball speed across the line and winger Olivier sped in to open prairie to dive over in the corner to conclude a great team effort.

With the conversion missed it was now 15 – 12 with some 15 minutes left on the clock. From here on in it was virtually one-way traffic. The Stags vociferous number eight lost out in a debate with ref and was given permanent marching orders. Their front row under increasing pressure found itself short in numbers and it was uncontested scrums. The Blue and Golds with tails up now claimed what was perhaps the inevitable and poetic justice personified. A forward drive from ten metres out saw Captain Kennedy pick up and there was no stopping the Ayrshire man as he dived over for the crucial touch down. With the conversion goaled by himself it was 19 – 15 for the Strathearn men. A final despairing flurry from the Stags saw Lennox Halley soar above the heads to claim opposition ball and with Wishart booting it Earn wards it was all over a dramatic home win.

In a match where the home pack dominated it would wrong to single out individuals. The back row however was sharp with young Ewan McSorley, Di Comite and Kennedy superb. One swallow does not make a rugby summer for the Braidhaugh boys . Inconsistency prevails and only hard work and application can resolve this . The return of Jamie Coffey is most welcome but the impending knee op for Adam Murdoch is a set back . Next week the daunting task is a trip to promotion chasing Strathmore . Much will depend on whose transport has the sat nav !

12 - 15 down and all to play for !

03 October 09

Madras a lot , Crieff & Strathearn zilch

As this report contains a considerable number of sensitive remarks and strong language it has been ( in true Stonehaven style ) restricted to members only on our e mail network .

26 September 09

Better But Not Enough

Crieff & Strathearn 8    Glenrothes 32

Crieff & Strathearn entertained strong going Glenrothes to the Braidhaugh .The Glens despite a couple of narrow home losses are formidable opposition and are likely to be challenging at the end for the single promotion spot. The Blue and Golds fielded what on paper looked a more balanced selection. The team was: Enslin; A Coffey, G Innes, L Halley and Hubbard; Wishart and Butler; Coventry, Pilgaard, Luti, Gordon, Jolliffe, Burley, Di Comite and Kennedy .On the bench were Vidal Costello, Sayman, Oliver and Kaye.

The visitors with a big physical pack and a sizable front row posed an obvious threat to their smaller opposite numbers. Despite playing with wind advantage it was the Glens who were posing the early threats. The fragility of the home defence was quickly exposed when quick hands swathe ball swing wing wards and the winger was in a corner with only two minutes gone on the clock. With the conversion missed Crieff were five points down .All credit to the Blue and Golds as they buckled down and new man, Aussie Kurt Joliffe was quickly making his presence felt with good hands and driving play. A Kennedy penalty fell tantalisingly short. A period of Crieff pressure saw Butler and Wishart distribute good ball but it was apparent that the Glens defence was well drilled and despite some penetrative running from Innes there was a singular lack of a   real cutting edge. With nine minutes gone Glens took possession from a loose ball and mounted a counter act. Despite what appeared to be a forward pass and a knock on, referee Pounder found otherwise and the strong running visitor’s backs were into open prairie and it was try number two.

As the game entered the second quarter, all credit to the fighting spirit of the Blue and Golds. With Di Comite putting in a power of work, the pack drove the game forward into the visitor’s half. Veteran scrum half Kenny Butler was having a great game and belying his years as sniped   away at every opportunity. With the Glens defence drifting forward a Crieff penalty saw Kennedy open the home account to see the score move to 10 – 3. This was an enjoyable tussle with the home pack now performing well with Halley having moved from the centre and with Luti coming on in the front row. Play was seeing sawing backwards and forwarders. The slick passing of the Glens backs was making gaps. A missed tackle and it was try number three in the corner for the Fifers. Again Crieff raised their game and the last fifteen minutes of the first half saw the Blue and Golds mount a successio0n of attacks. With Wishart at stand off prodding the ball into the open spaces the Glens were now on the back foot. A scrum some 25 metres out saw Butler play the cheeky chappie and burst up the blindside to dive over in the corner for a superb try. Kennedy’s touchline kick tantalisingly drifted just wide and it was now 15 – 8. Sayman came on in the centre with Hubbard off and Oliver moving to the wing.

The teams turned at half time with no further scoring. With all to play for in the second half, Glens found themselves having the advantage of the wind The game plan was obvious as the Fife half backs combining well, pumped the ball into the home half. This was fast and furious stuff and with Halley, Di Comite and Kennedy to the fore the Crieff pack were showing admirable spirit. Luti snaffled good ball and made ground whilst Jolliffe after a quiet opener was beginning to make his presence felt .In the centre, Innes and Sayman were strong both in defence and attack whilst Enslin at full back showed coolness under pressure and was returning the high balls with steady regularity.

As the game entered the critical final quarter, Glens began to turn the screw up front where their physicality began to count. A penalty pushed them to eighteen points and then in a fine burst of cohesive play the home defence found themselves over stretched and two forward efforts brought two well-conceived tries and the bonus point. For Crieff, this was a reasonable performance against what is one of the stronger Caley squads. Next week’s match is away at Madras in St Andrews which will prove the travelling ability of the Blue and Golds in what is a key match in the survival stakes. Kick off is at 3pm.

Last Saturday saw Crieff and Strathearn Rugby hit the high and the lows in terms of results on the field . The Firsts were scheduled to play League leaders in distant Orkney . With the team having to leave by bus on the Friday and driving over night to Gills Bay in far north of Caithness , it was a demanding trip . They then had to make the hours crossing to the island and then on to Kirkwall for the match . Such are the logistics that an overnight stay is a necessity and then the long Sunday return to Crieff . With a large number of the regular team unable to make the trip it was a thin squad short in numbers who ended up making the trip . Unfortunately , to call the match off would see the Club docked a penalty of four points and be required to play the fixture at a later date and in probability in mid winter . Hence the decision to proceed and get it over with . A resounding thumping from a rampant Orkney saw the homesters rub considerable salt into Strathearn wounds and limp home having conceded over fifteen tries . With a home game against a good Glenrothes team this week end with a 3 pm kick off one trusts normal service can be resumed !

Crieff Cracker as Blue and Golds Hit Form

Colin Mayall

Crieff & Strathearn 16 Stirling Uni 5

It sounded more like Colerain College than Stirling Uni when the students from Bridge of Allan ran out for their League clash with Crieff on a sun baked Braidhaugh last Saturday. With a large intake from over the Irish Sea swelling their ranks, there is a great depth of talent on the campus and a despite a traditionally slow start to their season they have proven their merit over the last few seasons in Caley One and held their own with the best. For the Blue and Golds the return of the talented Gordon Innes in the centre together with the arrival in Crieff of the vastly experienced Francesco di Comite from Bologna bolstered a young Crieff team who had come frustratingly close last week to beating National Plate holders, Aberdeen Uni. Francesco or Frank as he prefers to be called has played at European Cup level against teams like Saracens and Bordeaux and was a member of the Italian Student World Cup Squad in 2000.

The Crieff line up was: Oliver; A Coffey, Silberbauer, Innes and Hubbard; Wishart and Kesson; Leger, Stott, Pilgaard, Halley, Adams, MacSorley, Di Comite and Kennedy. On the bench were Burley, Luti and Sayman.

Despite the warm sunshine, there was a steady breeze blowing directly down the park and it was with this at their backs the students kicked off. As with the previous week against Aberdeen Uni, the Blue and Golds found them facing a student pack which was both robust and physically larger than similar teams encountered in the past. It was Stirling who forced the early pace and again it was clear that the ball was going to be moved wide at every opportunity. New man Di Comite was conspicuous by his early involvement from the back of the scrum , picking and driving forward into the opposition ranks. It was frenetic stuff and both teams were endeavouring to move the ball about. In the battle of the packs the Uni were winning the initial set pieces and looking more adept in the lineouts where their tall second row men, Wielbo and Sutheran, strategically positioned, were sweeping up a lot of ball. It was not until the game was nearly into the second quarter that the stalemate was broken. With Halley, Adams and Kennedy in rampant form, Stirling began to infringe up front in an attempt to halt the surging attack of the Blue and Golds. A Kennedy penalty from 35 metres out posted the opening points. Within minutes play swung back into the home twenty two as a strong controlled drive caught the Crieff pack on their back feet and the ball was carried over the line for a well contrived try. With the conversion missed, it was now 5- 3 for the students. Luti replaced Leger in the home front row.

This was ding-dong stuff and the large crowd were enjoying yet another fine spectacle of fast open rugby at the Braidhaugh as both teams switched play about at every opportunity. Andy Coffey and Wallace Hubbard on the wings both had spirited runs whilst the back row of MacSorley, Di Comite and Kennedy were beginning to dominate with a number of surging drives. Kesson at the base was being made to work hard and being constantly harried by opposite number Banter a he tried to get his threes into action.

With Crieff gradually beginning to dominate the forward battle, the referee was penalising the students for coming in from the side and a number of long kicks took play into the Stirling twenty two .A great break from Innes had the opposition on the back foot and a rapid interchange of passing with Wishart and Silberbauer saw play sweep across the park. As the students tried to relieve the pressure with long balls out of defence, full back Oliver was returning things with interest. Another student indiscretion saw Kennedy stroke the ball between the posts to post a 6- 3 lead to the Blue and Golds.

Again the students surged back and a smart piece of back interplay involving McQuiston and Ovington nearly found a gap in the home defences. Again it was Innes with a great tackle which allowed stand off Wishart to clear his lines. With the home pack getting into the overall ascendancy it was that man from Bologna who caught the eye with a great burst off the back of the scrum. As the game entered extra time, hooker Stott was taken off injured with Pilgaard moving to hooker and Coventry coming on at prop. Another Uni forward infringement saw Kennedy’s kick narrowly miss and the teams change around with Blue and Golds holding a narrow but deserved 6-5 interval lead.

Now with the wind advantage Crieff were soon on the attack. Both Adams and Halley in the second row were contributing greatly to the forward effort whilst Kesson at scrum half was coming on to a better game. Wishart was showing that his appreciation of the outer half’s skills had greatly improved, with a slicker and more positive distribution than witnessed in earlier games . This was such a close match that it was not until the last quarter that Crieff really began to assert their superiority, Great pressure both up front and from the hard tackling backs were forcing Stirling into a number of basic errors. With the line out beginning to click and Halley rising to take regular ball, territorial domination was now Crieff’s. The game was held up for ten minutes after an accidental clash of heads saw full back Oliver stretchered off to be replaced by fellow Bok, Weldon Sayman. Another Kennedy penalty was just wide but minutes later there was no mistake as he struck home to push the Blue and Golds into a 9- 5 lead.

With ten minutes left, Sayman cut through the home defence and was into open prairie and it was skipper Kennedy on his shoulder that took the pass and galloped over for a great try. The flanker made no mistake with the conversion and it was 16 –5. Despite a late rally it was Crieff’s match and their first League win. A game enjoyed by the all and well refereed. This was a match where the home pack eventually established a significant control. A great game particularly from Daniel Pilgaard and the whole back row where Ewan MacSorley had a successful return.

Next week sees the long trip to meet League leaders Orkney in what will be a titanic struggle. The home win has now lifted the Strathearn men to mid table in these early days.

The Lineout Battle At The Braidhaugh

What A Cracker !

Crieff & Strathearn 27 Aberdeen Uni 28

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Colin Mayall

Having stumbled at the opening hurdle against a surprisingly poor Kinross team, the Blues and Golds now had the daunting task of facing Aberdeen Uni. Aberdeen , current holders of the National Plate and a team who were in contention for promotion last season , have a reputation for fast open rugby. With their pitch unavailable the fixture was switched to the Braidhaugh giving the Strathearn men a theoretical advantage.

For the selectors, the horrendous problems of early season unavailabilities appeared to be beginning to recede. Into the pack came Ross Henderson to partner Craig Gordon whilst into the back row Johnnie Keir made a welcome return. The front row which had dominated in the first match got a vote of confidence. The back line appeared to have more physicality and pace with the skilful and flexible Lennox Halley making a welcome return to partner Highland exile Jamie Coffey in the centre. With new signing David Siderbauer and Wallace Hubbard on the wings, it looked overall a more balanced choice. The bench with Weldon Sayman, Terence Oliver and William Purdie gave a pleasant choice of strong options.

Despite the horrendous rains of the past week and a sodden practice outfield, the pitch was in remarkably good shape. Undoubtedly the strong wind was going to be a decisive factor in the game’s outcome with the homester’s getting the advantage in the opening half. An interesting factor in the confrontation was that the students’ pack was certainly physically bigger than that of most other varsity sides and the early head to heads were being fiercely contested. Despite wind advantage, it was Aberdeen who struck the first blow with a penalty goal after only ten minutes. Crieff hit back and with the effervescent Kesson at scrum half showing flare and enterprise the gaps were opening in the student defence. Captain Kennedy pulled a penalty tantalisingly wide but minutes later , stand off Craig Wishart struck a superb drop goal from all of 40 metres. What a beaut ! This was proving a superb contest with both teams showing enterprise and flair with the ball being run at every opportunity. For the Braidhaugh men the transformation from the sluggish offering of the previous week was a delight to see. A long kick into the Crieff twenty-two was well fielded by Botha Enslin who returned it with interest putting a raking ball into touch forty metres down the park.

As the game entered the second quarter, the touchline support was clearly enjoying this great advert for Caley rugby. Despite winning the tough encounter in the tight, Crieff were losing line out ball with disappointing regularity, making their attacking game more difficult to launch . With twenty five minutes gone, the quick covering home back line were quickly up on their opposite numbers and it was the skilful Coffey who, wrestling the ball from his opposite number and galloped clear from fifty metres out. Catching the Uni defence flat footed he sprinted to the line for a fantastic score. With Kennedy’ s kick goaled it was 10- 3 for the Blue and Golds.

With play swinging hither and thither between these two well-balanced sides, this was a great game to watch. The robust Uni forwards with their number eight particularly successful were making a game of it despite a strong wind disadvantage. For Crieff, Coventry, Pilgaard, Henderson and the back row of Keir, Adams and Kennedy were putting in a pile of work. A blood injury saw Kennedy off and Sayman on with the big Bok slotting in at centre. With half time approaching, disaster struck as a mix up in their own twenty two saw Aberdeen take possession and a forward surge resulted in the ball moving quickly out and it was their opening try. With the conversion goaled it was 10 –1 0.

As the game entered injury time, Sayman conceded a petulant penalty and was yellow carded. Down to fourteen men, the Blue and Golds now found themselves behind 13 – 10. This was thrill a minute stuff. Crieff launched a series of attacks. Old warhorse Craig Gordon was at his battling best whilst Kesson and Wishart were linking well. A spell of home pressure saw the Uni pack desperately defending. With their flanker entering from the side, it was a simple penalty and the sides were tied 13 – 13 at the break.

Still being down to fourteen men and with the strong wind in their faces this was proving a tough second half opener for Crieff. The Uni ploy was to keep the ball in the home half with long raking kicks. Kennedy who had come back on, had moved to full back and was coping well but Aberdeen were utilising their extra man advantage at every opportunity. A break down the blind side opened up a gap and a fine piece of handling saw them touch down for try number two. With the conversion goaled, a gap was opening as Aberdeen moved 20- 13 ahead. With Weldon Sayman back on, the match was now on an even keel and both sides were shipping the ball out at every opportunity. An Aberdeen penalty pushed them a further three points clear. With alarm bells now ringing the Blue and Golds upped the pressure and a Coffey break was halted metres out. Minutes later Henderson combined with Halley and Wishart was on hand to move the ball wing wards where Hubbard made further ground only to be tackled into touch metres out from the line.

It was all Crieff at this stage. A Wishart break scythed through the defence and he was in and over for a fine try. With the kick goaled the margin was 23 – 20 in the Uni’s favour. As the game entered the last quarter it was nail-biting stuff with both teams varying the tactics in an endeavour to find that elusive opening. Using the wind yet again, the varsity stand off sent a long ball well into the home half. With play now metres out from the Crieff line, it was frenetic stuff. A powerful surge pushed the Blue and Gold pack backwards and it was try number three for the students and a 28 – 20 lead.

The last ten minutes was all Crieff as they tried desperately to get back into the game. All credit to the Uni who defended heroically and wave upon wave of attacks were repulsed. As the match entered injury time the innovative Kesson at the base was proving the catalyst. With the clock running out it was Keir from the back row who raced clear and over for a cracking score from fifteen metres out. The conversion sailed through the posts and it was 28 – 27. For the Blue and Golds it was all a little too late and despite the well-earned losing bonus it was Aberdeen who took the points back to the Granite City.

A fine match and a great tribute to both teams. For the Blue and Golds, the return of the absentees undoubtedly made a significant difference and raised hopes for the hard season ahead. With the arrival this coming week of Italian number eight Francisco di Comite and shortly after of Aussie second row Kurt Joliffe, the Crieff pack will surely find the necessary beef to hold their own with the better teams in this League.

This Saturday sees yet another home game against Stirling Uni. Kick off is scheduled for 3 pm.

Crieff & Strathearn 39 Inverleith 10

On a dry but blustery Saturday , the Blue and Golds kicked off their season against Edinburgh side Inverleith who play out of National East 2 . The Braidhaugh men ran in some seven tries to two in game which only stuttered into life after the first quarter . Being essentially a training match , it comprised four twenty minutesessions .

For the Strathearn men Craig Wishart at stand off had a confident game partnered by scrum half eighteen year old Mathew Kesson who displayed a lot of skill . Good to see Weldon Sayman looking sharp and one hoped the big Bok will be available more than in previous seasons .

Up front Captain Cammy was at his buzzing best whilst Lennox Halley and Craig Gordon put in a lot of work . Adam Murdoch was a welcome returnee in the back division and again one hopes he will be available for the tasks ahead New man Alex Harrisshowed promise.

The opening League game is at home on Saturday 29th August against old rivals Kinross with a 3 pm kick off .

For a note of fixtures check the " Fixtures " page on the web site .

Saturday 29 August 2009

Some Light At The End

Colin Mayall

Crieff & Strathearn 13 Kinross 21

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The opening League match of the new season took place last Saturday at the Braidhaugh when the blue and Golds entertained old rivals Kinross. Last years encounters between the two ended up with one win apiece but it would be fair to say that the men from the other side of the Ochils were showing significant improvement as the season ground to a halt. On the contrary Crieff seemed to lose the early season initiative and struggled badly to recapture form. In the few months that are now termed off-season, a number of significant changes occurred at the Braidhaugh. Small rural clubs are by the very nature of the League structure vulnerable to the success or indeed often the lack of success of their larger neighbours. Many talented players opt to be a small fish in a large pool rather than the contrary. With economic affairs affecting young players to an increasing degree, movement by necessity often becomes the only option. The UK government’s clamp down on the granting of working visas particularly to South African citizens has effectively closed an effective source to many rugby clubs including Crieff and Strathearn. Through hard work by a number of club members headed by their innovative secretary Peter Cook, the position on the home front looks remarkably good. Stronger liaison with schools in the Strathearn catchment area is in hand and the vibrant Mini and Microbe sections (Primary age) goes from strength to strength whilst the introduction of both a Midi and Colts section will serve as a necessary bridge to senior membership. On the practical front, the club are no slouches. Fabric Convener Duncan Murchie and his cohorts are pushing ahead with plans for clubhouse improvements including new changing and storage facilities.

The squad chosen for Saturday’s match reflected the unavailability through injury and other commitments of a large number of the potential hard core including the promising Lennox Halley, Grant Frogley, Kenny Butler and Ewan McChesney. Making their debuts were hooker George Stott, Alan Kaye, Alex Harris and Wallace Hubbard. With the weather somewhat squally the Blue and Golds kicked off with the strong wind at their backs. Kinross up front had a considerable physical advantage but within minutes it became clear that the lighter home eight were not going to be pushed around. The front row of Coventry, Stott and Pilgaard were already getting the better of their opponents. With four minutes gone, Kinross conceded a penalty for a forward indiscretion and skipper Cammy Kennedy stroked the ball over from thirty-five metres out to post an early three-point lead. Crieff’s teen-age scrim half Matthew Kesson impressed from early on and his ability to find his man when under pressure is a strong point in his armoury. The back row looked promising with Kennedy at number eight flanked by the improving Ewan McSorley and Aberdeen based Scott Adams. This was a somewhat scrappy opening quarter with both teams struggling to get some fluency into their games. An off side decision saw Crieff concede a penalty after some eight minutes and the teams were now all square. Some ten minutes later Kinross pulled ahead with another penalty as the somewhat over enthusiastic home defence drifted forward to an offside position. The touch line support were finding this a somewhat disappointing encounter as early season rustiness combined with a failure to execute properly planned moves saw the match stagger on from set piece to set piece .For Crieff the second row pairing of Flett and Gordon were belying their years whilst in the backs player coach Botha Enslin showed good ball skills as he linked up with the ebullient Craig Wishart at stand off. With the game into two minutes of injury time, the homesters paid the penalty for slack tackling to allow the Kinross winger in at the corner to post an 11 – 3-interval lead.

With conditions alternating between squally showers and balmy sunshine, the second half saw play see saw backwards and forwards with little creative thought. The Kinross pack seemed to punch well below its potential and Kennedy at number eight made more than a few incursions into enemy territory. With a promising and effective half back awaiting perhaps a quick ball from the tail or base may well have proven a more rewarding ploy.

The inability of the Crieff defence to cover out wide was once more revealed when a someone soft try should have been halted from its inception. Trailing by 16 – 3 as the game entered the last quarter this was a disappointing performance by the Blue and Golds against a team displaying not a lot of inventive flair. The lack of pace and direction in the back division calls for action. Against the more fluent teams who inhabit Caley 1 this will be cruelly exposed as the season progresses. Up front, the Crieff pack were getting the upper hand and with both McSorley and Adams lively and threatening, the Kinross octet were struggling in the loose. A clever change in direction by Kesson saw the visitors caught flat-footed and Adams, a greatly improved player, on hand to dive over. At this stage the homesters should have begun to exert more control but credit to Kinross who upped a gear and using the long ball, pushed play into the Crieff half.

With five minutes left, Kinross took advantage yet again off slack home defence and touched down for try number three. With their support baying for a greater effort and the bonus point, all credit to the Blue and Golds who surged back down the park. Again their lighter pack utilised their superior mobility as with Wishart surging through the gap. The back row were on hand and McSorley went over for a well-taken try. Too little too late with Kinross deserving a non-bonus win of 21 – 13. On this performance neither of these teams are likely to be challenging at the top in this, the most competitive of competitions.

Next week, the scheduled fixture with Aberdeen Uni looks as if it will be re scheduled for the Braidhaugh due to unavailability of the student’s pitch. Details will be posted on the Crieff web site.

Crieff and Strathearn Rugby Club

Braidhaugh, Crieff, Perthshire. Match Information Line 07704180974

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Crieff & Strathearn 19 Grangemouth Stags 15

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