You are here: Match Reports / 1st XV / Stirling County 23rd September 2006
| “HILLS” CASTLED IN STIRLING STIRLING COUNTY 45 pts HILLHEAD JORDANHILL 3 pts On a day stolen from mid-summer with the immaculately prepared Bridgehaugh pitch bathed in beautiful sunshine, the “Hills” succumbed to a more physical, sharper and better balanced County side by six goals and one penalty goal to one penalty goal. Any chance “Hills” had of making a contest of the game were virtually wiped out in an opening burst from the Stirling side which yielded 14 points in the first three minutes. Quick re-cycling and changes of direction from the breakdown found the “Hills” defence in extreme difficulties, although some felt that there was a hint of a knock forward prior to the Stirling second try. The pressure exerted by the home team was inexorable, and it was only in brief forays from their own half, principally through the rolling maul, that the “Hills” broke the stranglehold. Even fine relieving kicks from stand off Ross Curle were of only limited value in turning the County side, such was the opposition’s determination never to let up. Half time was reached with Stirling ahead by 24 pts to 3 with Curle converting a well struck penalty from the opposition 10 metre line. The second half was virtually a repeat performance of the first, although the “Hills” pack continued to be competitive against the home pack with Stewart McMillan having two tight head strikes and captain Cammy Kerr always willing to carry the ball forward into the massed ranks of the opposition. Indeed, this was the sole attacking ploy from the “Hills” with Kerr and Campbell Rae frequently making inroads across the Stirling gain line, but it was disappointing that two close range attacking mauls could not be converted into tries. The “Hills” backs were rarely seen in any attacking format, although full back, David Frame, came closest with a burst into the home 22, which failed due to lack of close support. This was the first competitive game that Hillhead Jordanhill had played against Stirling County since 1989, the year following the amalgamation of the Hillhead and Jordanhill clubs. Given the successes which Stirling have had throughout the 90’s, their establishment as a Community Club and their recent record in Premier 1, a defeat was not totally unexpected. But the young “Hills” side will wish to learn quickly from this game that there is little margin for error at this level with mistakes being unhesitatingly punished. “Hills” play their south side rivals, Cartha QP, at Hughenden on Saturday the 30th , kick off at 15.00 hrs. “Hills” 1st XV –David Frame, Stuart Ross, Andy Milligan, Will Marshall ( Ross Curle ),Stuart Todd, Ross Curle ( Scott Weston ), Andrew Cameron, Willie Brown, Stewart McMillan (Nico Nyemba), Douglas Walker ( Bobby Agnew ), Stuart Rose, Chris Tulloch, Murray Allan ( Kieran Powell ) Campbell Rae ( Murray Allan ), Cameron Kerr ( C ) Subs – All used |
