Kinross R.F.C.

Kinross returned to action a week after their defeat to St Andrews Uni by hosting old arch rivals Crieff. Kinross hadn’t met Crieff in league action since they were the only team to win at the KGV in season 2004/05, the club historian informs the writer the score was a boring five points to three.

During the week at training it was evident that a humiliating second half against St Andrews University was still fresh in the memories of the Kinross boys. Saturdays pitiful second half was taken to heart by the coach who worked those who attended on Tuesday hard but then forgot to bring the container keys on Thursday, what a “shareen”.

And so with a firework up Kinross’ arse, Crieff kicked off into the wind on a cold winters day. George Smith received, quick stylish fast ball through the backs released Tom Coll to break from his own 22 and to give Spence an inside pass to score underneath the posts. Spence converted and already Kinross were 7-0 ahead. There was concern that the Kinross boys would relax after this early score – a habit Kinross do all too frequently. This however was not the case…..yet. Spence and Mckay switched deep in the oppositions half for Mckay to bundle over for his first try for the club (where was the jug?). Spence converted and Kinross oozed into a 14-0 lead. So came the inevitable, Kinross went to sleep and Crieff camped out in the Kinross 22 for a lengthy period of time. Kinross seemed content in just watching the game. Kinross’ defence did hold strong though and time after time held out from attack. It wasn’t particularly clear which game the referee was watching as finally Crieff crossed the line. Two games of rugby and older ladies strutting their stuff in hockey skirts was clearly too much for the referee. Crieff missed the conversion and Kinross remained two scores ahead. With a prevailing wind at times, Kinross failed to capitalise on the elements and gain some valuable ground. Somehow forty minutes had passed and Kinross had only crossed the line twice.

The Kinross unit received a stern talking to from the captain at half time. The referee also spoke strongly, warning against any more infringements. Clearly he was talking to the wrong team. Crieff now had the wind and the low sun behind them, which was causing the Kinross halfbacks some bother. Kinross continued to keep the ball in hand and hit up with the forwards, Farmer, Allan and Queen. The Crieff pack which had aged badly through the years continued to kill the ball with persistent hands on at breakdowns. The referee continued to award Kinross with penalties but still no Crieff player walked much to the amazement of the support, and especially to Jim “Glazier” Campbell. Kinross marched up into the oppositions 22, where yet again the ball was killed. After four penalties to Kinross within the space of two minutes the referee sounded his whistle. Finally he was to sin-bin a Crieff forward, the referee had other ideas producing a yellow card to Rab Allan for no apparent reason. The referee then turned to a now very tired Crieff pack and issued one of their players with a yellow. Both teams were reduced to 14men. With both packs reduced to 7men and uncontested scrums in play the game became very boring to watch, and to play. Kinross held to their defences in a strong wind and dying sun. A charged down kick from Stobie and a floating pass to Leishman allowed the second half sub to stroll in from his own half. Spence converted and stretched Kinross’ lead to 21-5. With the try bonus point insight Kinross tried, to no avail. Another killed ball from the Crieff pack signalled the end of the day by the referee. A solid display from Kinross under difficult conditions allowed the players to take a little pride from what can only be described as a poor show of refereeing. With this in mind, without a referee we wouldn’t be able to play at all. Good to see Rab Allan back in the fray of things, just a shame he’s due a bottle of port this week when Kinross look forward to hosting a well drilled Mackie team.

Team: Queen, Tolson, Allan, Barnett, Smith, Dryburgh, Mullan, G Harley, Carragher, Fraser, Coll, Stobbie, Spence, Mckay, Ross.  Subs; Farmer, Wood, Leishman.