FOSROC SUPER6: ROUND 11
Match report from this weekend’s eleventh and final FOSROC Super6 match. Stirling County travelled to Myreside to go head to head against Watsonians Rugby with a late Friday night fixture.
County’s No.10 Andrew Goudie kicked off the match, however Watsonians were able to keep the ball in County’s half for the majority of the first-half at which they led 21-7.
In the 16th minute there was a close range line out possession and good hands from Watsonians Marc Morrison which looked to set-up Dom Coetzer for a try, however Craig Robertson came through with a strong tackle.
The first points of the match were not scored until the 24th minute, some slick hands from Watsonians, Ru Smith, enabled centre, Jordan Venter, to take the ball over Stirlings try line. Marc Morrison added the conversion points. [7-0]
County were quick to bring the score back to equal as Archie Russell sliced through in midfield and although his pass went astray, County were given a penalty. The penalty was dispatched to the touchline from where a short distance try was scored from a line out to driving maul. County’s forwards pushed to allow prop Murphy Walker to crash over. Craig Robertson was successful with the conversion. [7-7]
In the 35th minute Watsonians pushed forward, where Reiss Cullen was able to find Morrison and then his pass went to Venter, who scored the hosts second try of the evening. Morrison again added the conversion. [14-7]
At exactly half-time, a penalty was given to Watsonians. Watsonians fired the ball up the touchline and Reiss Cullen was able to go over the try line. Morrison once more added the conversion. [21-7]
HALF-TIME: Watsonians Rugby 21-7 Stirling County
It was an animated start to the second-half and the ball was kicked back and forward from opposite ends of the pitch. However when the game got fully underway, Countys willingness to start bringing that score up again paid off. Byron Bowes timed his pass perfectly to Connor Gordon who thundered through for a great try in the 47th minute. Craig Robertson was again successful with the try. [21-14]
Bowes continued as a positive force, as he passed the ball to Russell who scored a beautiful long range try from 55 metres in the 51st minute. The conversion kick by Craig Robertson was just short of the posts. [21-19]
Just a minute after Callum Cruikshank and Marcus Holden were sent on the pitch to replace Dean Taylor-Menzies and Andrew Goudie.
In the 58th minute, No.17 George Breese stepped on the pitch for No.3 Lewis Skinner. Angus Fraser was then sent on the pitch to replace Captain Reyner Kennedy in the 65th minute.
In the final quarter, Stirlings defence held strong and did well to not let Watsonians score any more points. Going into the final 10 minutes, No.22 Landon Hayes replaced No.14 Stevie Hamilton. With less than 5 minutes until full-time, JP Phelan and Josh King were sent on to replace Murphy Walker and injured man Callum Cruikshank.
At the death, a Stirling lineout misfired and Watsonians managed to kick the ball off the field and they took 3rd place in the 2021 FOSROC Super6.
FULL-TIME: Watsonians Rugby 21-19 Stirling County
Head Coach
Ben Cairns commented on the teams performance:
“I can’t fault the boys’ effort. The resilience they’ve shown after half-time to go again, put Watsonians under real pressure and get back in the game – I’m proud of the effort.
“The season’s gone similar to the game. Gave ourselves too much to do in the first half of the season, didn’t pick up enough wins, then we went on a bit of a run and got back in the mix, but ultimately just left ourselves short.”
Match report by Eve Allison
SCORERS
Stirling County: TRY: Murphy Walker, Connor Gordon, Archie Russell CON: Craig Robertson (2)
Watsonians: TRY Jordan Venter (2) Reiss Cullen CON: Marc Morrison (3)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Ref: Ian Kenny
AR1: Michael Todd
AR2: Jonny Perriam
FOSROC Player of the Match
Ben Muncaster (Watsonians Rugby)
Watsonians: Dom Coetzer; Harvey Elms; Scott Kings, Jordan Venter, Ru Smith; Marc Morrison, Reiss Cullen; Harrison Courtney, Cal Davies, Angus Williams captain, Kieran Watt, Michael Badenhorst, Ben Muncaster, Campbell Wilson, Sam Daly.
Subs: Ross Graham, Sam Grahamslaw, Nathan Borel, Kwagga Van Niekerk, Karl Main, Luis Ball, Roan Frostwick, Angus Hoffie.
Stirling County: Craig Robertson; Steven Hamilton, Archie Russell, Grant Hughes, Tom Rochie; Andrew Goudie, Caleb Korteweg; Lewis Skinner, Reyner Kennedy captain, Murphy Walker, James Pow, Byron Bowes, George Arnott, Connor Gordon, Dean Taylor-Menzies.
Subs: Angus Fraser, George Breese, JP Phelan, Josh King, Callum Cruickshank, Marcus Holden, Landon Hayes, Ross McKnight.
