Kinross R.F.C.

7^th October 2006

Kinross managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat against bottom of the league Panmure in Broughty Ferry on Saturday afternoon.

After an encouraging warm-up where everyone seemed sharp and focussed the team were buzzing come 3 p.m. Unfortunately the referee had still not turned up and by the time he had some of the intensity and focus had been lost. This did not show in the first few minutes of the game and after kick-off Panmure failed to secure the ball and it was consequently won by the Kinross pack who subsequently managed to drive up to the five- metre line with a series of pick-and-go’s. Kinross were unable to recycle the ball quickly enough to continue the drive to the line but the referee brought the play back to the 22 for a penalty due to an earlier offside by Panmure. Spence opted to go for posts and managed to convert the kick into a fierce driving wind (0-3).

After the early score things started to go wrong, Panmure used the wind to their advantage and constantly kicked deep whenever in possession. Coupled with the amount of penalties given away by Kinross, the next 20 minutes were spent predominately in the Kinross half. The inability of the Kinross pack to counter the lineout take and drive by Panmure led to an inevitable score midway through the first half which was also converted (7-3).

To describe the next 60 minutes as free-flowing, entertaining rugby would be like saying that Spenny only enjoys the occasional night in Dunf’ – a complete lie! To be honest there is not much to write about it. Whilst Panmure’s tight pitch certainly suits their game and made it hard for our backs to make any significant breaks, the referee certainly did not help matters. The constant stop-start nature of the game accompanied by his willingness to allow Panmure to stop and start malls whenever they pleased made it almost impossible for Kinross to find any rhythm or pattern to their game.

With 20 minutes remaining Kinross made a triple substitution, on came Devanny, Buchanan and Barnett for Leishman, Purvis and G. Wood respectively. All three substitutes made an impact with some impressive breaks, but it was Devanny who ensured victory with a try in the last play of the game. Panmure attempted to kick clear from a scrum in their own 22, unfortunately none of them had accounted for the sharpness of Dee who charged down the kick and was able to take the resulting loose ball over the line for the match-winning score. Unfortunately Spence missed the conversion. Final Score Panmure 7 – Kinross 8.

Still, a hard fought victory puts Kinross up to 3^rd in the league with 17 points. Thanks to all those who came to support us on Saturday (it can’t have been enjoyable) and hopefully there will be better performances in our next two matches against Alloa (Home) and Strathmore(Away).

Team: I Harley, K Tolson, E Goudie, G Wood, A Wood, A Caldwell, Mark Thomson, D Lamont, A Fraser, F Ross, I Spence, R Campbell, J Leishman, C Purvis, C Carragher. Subs (All used): C Devanny, I Buchanan, I Barnett