Kinross R.F.C.

The day started on a bad note for Barney, he was stood up by Granny Annie despite his persistent banging on the window which made him feel like a proper tool. This week Kinross travelled to Aberdeenshire after a week of rest with the aim of collecting the five points on offer to boost them up the table. Another make-shift team had been assembled and, with only one substitute available, this was clearly going to have an influence on the game.

From the kick-off, Aberdeenshire started strongly and from their own kick managed to obtain possession, driving the Kinross forwards off the ball. Aberdeenshire moved the ball wide and with a well worked over lap opened the points tally for the day. The conversion was missed. Aberdeenshire proved to be a well drilled team driving through the middle sucking in the Kinross defence. It seemed as though Kinross were still on the bus as seconds later Aberdeenshire crossed the line again. The conversion was missed again and the home team sailed into a 10 point lead. Kinross finally managed to obtain some possession and moved it around well, breaks were made by the Kinross backs and vital yards were made as the team slowly came back into the game. A bit of luck saw Tees intercept from his own half and cruise under the posts. The try was converted by Spence and the lead had been closed. 10-7. Kinross held Aberdeenshire to this score line for the majority of the half until just before the break, Wood stole the ball at the lineout, the ball was delivered to Fraser who passed the ball high and slowly towards Tees, unfortunately Aberdeenshire’s outside centre acted on the move and intercepted the pass and strolled in from his own half. The try was converted and Aberdeenshire took a lead of 17-7 going into the break.

Kinross started the second half well putting pressure on the Aberdeenshire defence. A scrum close to the home teams try line saw the back-row and scrum half try a training ground move only to be rumbled by a non-binding flanker. Aberdeenshire started to apply some pressure on what was becoming an injured Kinross team just as the referee started to throw 50/50 decisions all Aberdeenshire’s way. Spence had injured his neck as well as going over his ankle and Farmer was starting to feel some pains (not sure where though). The referee started to lose control of the game. Up until now he had been fair and quick with decisions. Aberdeenshire went over again and further stretched their lead. A restart from Fraser bounced over the 10metre line and was then played, completely legal but the referee deemed otherwise. Aberdeenshire capitalised well on the referees decisions (would be hard not to score more tries with the referee in their pockets) but in all fairness to the home team they played some fast and hard running rugby to go over the line a few more times. Spence left the field supporting his shoulder and with a family in law dinner in mind, surely the day was only going to get worse for the Dean Gaffney look alike. Whisky John took to the field and a reshuffle in the forwards saw the captain, Mullan move to inside centre. Aberdeenshire continued to apply pressure and points were awarded. The game had clearly been lost by now and a bit of self pride was to be gained. Some great running by Bull saw Kinross finally camp in Aberdeenshire’s half for a while until the ball was turned over. G Harley sniffed the interception and scored under the posts. He converted his own try much to the amusement of the travelling support especially Rosco Campbell who had been earlier warned in the match by the referee. Something which seems to be running in the family this season. Further warnings from the referee to players continued as someone commented that “this game was an awful comedy sketch”. The referee didn’t take this lightly especially when I Harley chirped afterwards that he “wouldn’t want to buy this on DVD for Christmas”. The referee had clearly lost his mind by this point anyway. Two minutes from time the referee claimed “I’ve had enough of this game” and blew the final whistle. Does that phrase merit the term ‘Match Abandoned’ many players wondered. The referee refused to comment.

Over all a poor performance from Kinross although Aberdeenshire were no better than us, they just had more depth and motivation within the squad. After a hard week for the captain rallying a team together, lets make it easier for Stewart by giving him options early on in the week. Good solid performances from Coll, Wood and Ross can be the only good things to come from what can only be described as a disaster. Lets just hope the referee has been a good boy this year so that Santa brings him that much needed rule book.

Thanks to all the travelling support, long way to travel for such a disappointing performance but your support is appreciated. Thanks also to all sponsors and to A Plant Rail.

Kinross travel to Ardrossan next week in the cup, the question is will Whisky John last the bus trip this time or not??     

Team : I Harley, K Tolson, R Allan, G Wood, I Barnett, S Mullan, G Harley, D Farmer, C Carragher, A Fraser, T Coll, I Spence, C Tees, D Mackay, F Ross. Subs : J Taylor