ATHOLL COLTS vs. Glenrothes RFC Colts 01/03/08
Am extremely blustery day put paid to any hopes of an open running game, but with both teams determined to be victorious, the match proved to be a highly physical battle.
The Atholl pack was, yet again, up against an enormous front five while the backs were dwarfed in most positions by their Glenrothes counterparts. Despite this imbalance in size & weight Atholl tackled ferociously & supported well at the breakdown. With good body angles & aggressive clearing out at the ruck Atholl’s superior technique, speed & teamwork proved highly effective & ensured good ball retention & recycling.
In defence the Atholl back row put immense pressure on the Glenrothes half backs as well as halting any attempted forward attacks around the fringes. The backs were also solid in defence with big hits coming from the Atholl centres.
Atholl looked dangerous with ball in hand and were willing to move the ball out to the backs & then support the runner & were unfortunate not to score on a couple of occasions - only prevented from doing so by some resolute Glenrothes defence & misfortune.
With most of the first half being played between the 22mtere lines, scoring opportunities were few & far between & it was essential for Atholl to get some points on the board as they would be facing into the stiff breeze after the turn around.
Good forward driving & ball retention was followed by quick recycling, which resulted in the Atholl moving deep into the Glenrothes half. The close support work & direct running culminated in centre Stuart Bailey going over for the first score of the game.
With the try going unconverted Atholl had a lead half-time of 5-0.
Despite the wind against them & playing up the slight slope in the second half, Atholl took the game to Glenrothes with the forwards proving too fit & strong for the tiring opposition pack. From this positive “go forward” play the ball was moved wide right where a loose pass was gathered up from the ground with great skill & athleticism by fullback Fraser, who used his speed & agility to beat three defenders & score near the posts.
Dependable kicker Matt Burrows slotted the conversion to put Atholl up by 12-0.
Glenrothes came back with all guns blazing, determined to dominate in the forward exchanges & in turn utilise the wind to put pressure on the Atholl back three. Their determination was, however, matched & bettered by the Atholl defence both up front & out in the backs.
Having absorbed a sustained period of pressure & enduring the difficulties of clearing their lines against the strengthening wind, the Atholl forwards drove out of their own 22 up to halfway. A series of scrums awarded to Atholl saw them move into the Glenrothes 22. After an ensuing ruck the ball was taken on by the forwards when Number 8 Russell Nimmo found himself close to the try line with one defender to beat & players in support. Choosing to take on the defender himself Russell was brought to ground only for his immense momentum to take him rolling over the try line for the decisive score.
With Matt again converting successfully, Atholl now lead 19-0 with five minutes to go.
To their credit Glenrothes came back determined to score. They got down into the Atholl 22 & were awarded a penalty five metres from the try line. A quick tap & pass to their man-mountain tight-head prop gave Glenrothes a well deserved try & saw the match finish 19-5 to Atholl.
The Atholl teamwork was outstanding - they battled well against a big, strong, well-drilled opposition as well as the difficult weather conditions.
Grit & determination were needed throughout the match & coupled with good decision making proved to be a winning formula.
A joint “Men-Of-The-Match” award has to be made again, this time to the wing forward (flankers/loose forwards) partnership of Jamie Burrows & Freddie Campbell who were so consistently destructive in defence & creative in attack.