Kinross R.F.C.

Kinross secured a try bonus in testing conditions at the KGV on Saturday. The rain and wind had all but confirmed to the small band of supporters that quality rugby would be off the menu and a Kinross knock-on from the kick-off left them instantly vindicated. Saturday also saw the Carragher brothers, Liam and Chris, starting together as the halfback partnership for the first time and proving once and for all that they are superior to the Fraser brothers in every way. There was also a token Wood in the side, Dunk proving that pace, flair and attacking nous are not pre-requisites for playing on the wing.

For much of the game it seemed like a bout of white-line fever had spread through the Kinross changing room, on more than one occasion overlaps were ignored in favour of possible glory and when the pack got within a sniff of the try line the backs could afford to switch off as their was little chance the ball was coming their way. Consequently, even although Kinross enjoyed territorial domination in the first half they only had three tries and a conversion to show for their endeavours, the tries coming from Mullan (2) and Tolson whilst Spence scored what turned out to be the only conversion of the day.

It was ten minutes into the second half before the try-bonus was secured, a succession of errors by the Panmure backs led to the ball being kicked over their own line. Chris Carragher was the quickest to react and scored his second try of the season. It was another twenty minutes before the fifth and final try of the day; Rab Allan made a break from the 22 but was unable to get over the line, Goudie was in support and although the offload was far from textbook the ball somehow found itself to the newly qualified policeman who crossed for the score on his return to the side.

Kinross can now only finish fifth at best this season with Orkney poised to overtake if they win all their games in hand. Therefore five points at Crieff next Saturday are a must to ensure a positive finish to the season. On another note, Davy Farmers prediction of Italy to beat Ireland was proved to be wrong, what a tube!

Team: M Thomson, K Tolson, R Allan, G Smith, D Lamont, G Harley, S Mullan (c), E Goudie, L Carragher, C Carragher, D Wood, I Buchanan, I Spence, S Mcdonald, F Ross Subs: A Fraser, G Queen, I Barnett (All Used)