Kinross R.F.C.

Stand in captain Iain Spence had assembled what can only be described as a makeshift team for this cup fixture.  With many regular first team players absent this was a chance for a few fringe players to put forward their case for a starting place. 

On arriving at the pitch it became clear that the conditions would play a large part in the way the game would be played, there was a significant slope on the pitch which was accompanied by a strong breeze and the glare of the low autumn sun. 

The game kicked off with Kinross opting to use the conditions to their advantage and play downhill for the first 40.  Some good tactical kicking from Spenny meant that Kinross enjoyed good territorial advantage.  Kinross drew first blood with a try on 5 minutes, Andy Caldwell powering over after good work by the forwards.  The conversion by Spence was missed, something that would become a feature throughout the game.  A penalty kicked to touch deep within the 22 meant that the Kinross forwards could set up an effective rolling maul.  With all the Stobswell forwards sucked in Ted strolled in for what must go down as one of the simplest scores of his career,  ‘What an easy try!’ remarked the twelfth minute try scorer.  Again the conversion was missed. 

After this positive start Kinross seemed to take their foot off the gas somewhat leading to Stobswell gaining some territorial advantage.  After a clear knock-on was mysteriously missed by the, at times erratic, referee Stobswell attacked the Kinross line.  A chip kick over the defensive line took an awkward bounce which wrong footed fullback Euan Fraser, allowing the home team to collect the ball before recycling and scoring in the corner.  The 30^th minute try was converted.

This seemed to spur Kinross back into action and good work by the forwards meant the backs got some clean ball in a good attacking position.  A flat pass from Colin Tees lead to a line break from Euan Fraser who seemed to release Booboo for a certain score.  The celebrations were cut short when the referee called the pass as forward – a decision fiercely disputed by the Kinross players and support.  However the home side’s luck soon ran out as Euan and Booboo combined again resulting in a score for the big winger. ‘With a pass like that, I couldn’t fail to score’ enthused the try scorer.  Spenny missed the conversion.  Five minutes later, on the stroke of half time, Colin Tees stretched the lead with a good try, Spenny managed to convert this time. 

Despite the significant slope, Kinross started the second half strongly and managed to gain some territory in the opposition half.  After some scrappy play Andy Caldwell found himself in acres of space and sprinted in from 15 yards to score under the posts.  At this point it seemed that the only thing Kinross had left in their locker were Spenny’s kicking boots, he again missed the extras.

For the next 10minutes or so Kinross struggled to keep the home side at bay, inexplicably missing first up tackles.  This allowed Stobswell to create chances and eventually score under the posts.  The build up and ultimate score marked a low point in the match for Kinross.  Spenny could only watch in awe as the Stobswell kicker again converted. 

With injuries to Devanny and Euan the Foster family were unleashed from the bench.  Julian came on at fullback and Steven made his debut on the wing.  The debutant made an immediate impact by finishing off a good move in the corner, George Smith giving the scoring pass.  Predictably Spenny missed the conversion. 

There was an unfortunate incident five minutes later as the Stobswell number 8 took the law into his own hands.  A seemingly innocuous altercation between George Harley and his opposite man resulted in the Stobswell man flooring our number 8.  As George regained his feet, and his composure, the referee stunned the away support by only brandishing a yellow card.  The ref later explained that the offender would have had to hit George twice to merit a red card, so try and stay on your feet a bit longer next time Dod!

The incident was quickly forgotten as Kinross used the one man advantage to score in the corner, Steven Foster again with the touch down.  Spence was brave enough to have another attempt on goal, however his effort sailed wide.  Despite the errors with the shots on goal Spence had an accomplished game with some incisive breaks and good tactical kicks.

The game came to an unfortunate end with Kinross letting in another try.  This seemed typical of the performance; Kinross committing too many errors, detracting from the positives in the display.

These positives included an impressive debut from Foster on the wing, touching down with two accomplished finishes.  However performance of the day went to Gordon Wood.  Big red was brought in to deputise for his absent older brother, however it soon became clear that Ally had done us a massive favour in heading off to Australia, as Gordon shone with an impressive display.  Red was dominant in the line-out and had many barnstorming runs through the centre.  At the end of the game the full time whistle was drowned out by the terrace chants of ‘Wood! Wood! Who is Ally Wood?!’

One poetic spectator summed up the general feeling - “There’s only one Wood in our 1sts pack, we don’t want old Ally back”.