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| Strathendrick v 1XV 06/09/08 Fintry 3 - 12 New kits, new training jackets, new faces and a difficult away trip to the always robust and strong Strathendrick outfit over the hills at Fintry. The conditions could not have been any better for an opening league fixture and the warm up and pre match build up felt positive for the MIB who travelled with an excellent squad buoyed by a good pre season both on the training field and on the park. Some clear instructions from the ref (who is the best we have had for a few seasons now!!), and a quick chat pre game and we were ready for the big kick off hoping to correct some of the mistakes that we have made pre season. MIB won the toss and took the top end of the park and the wind with endrick kicking off. A textbook take from the start by big Kenny and solid ball won, set the tempo for a physical but controlled game ahead, which is always what is required down at Fintry, if you want to leave with the points. The front 8 were everywhere, and scrummaged superbly with our new hooker Craig (is there any position he hasn’t played?) even taking more than a few against the head, and the pre match request that we look after the ball in contact was followed to the letter with every man putting body on the line to supply solid and clean ball for the rejuvenated Paul Paterson to feed the backs on a day made for running rugby. Ten minutes gone and a perfectly set up ball from the forwards found its way to Phil Dolan who threw a miss pass to Chris Butler who somehow managed to fool the entire 'endrick backline into thinking he was going to pass to Liam before stepping inside and scoring just right of the posts. Conversion completed by Watson, who had a quiet day with the boot by his usual high standards. MIB were firmly in control at this point and had a vastly superior territorial advantage. A few mistakes were made and the MIB struggled with discipline at times although a couple of spear tackles from the 'endrick boys did not help! The referee was doing a good job to keep control and called the Captains over to issue the warning to the teams regarding the behaviour. Half time and 7-0 to the Police and the cry at half time was for more of the same, trying to cut out the errors with the final pass and keep the head for what would be a difficult 2nd half. It was a more tense affair in the 2nd half with 'endrick stepping up the game although some stunning defence from all the team kept the opposition at bay apart from a penalty kick making the score 7-3. As the game went on the MIB defended everything that came at them with every man in the front 8 doing anything possible to prevent 'endrick breaking through - Marcus even letting the 'endrick number 8 use him as a treadmill and after an obligatory scuffle the big 8 got his marching orders. This galvanised the Police and with just minutes left a turnover ball by the forwards found its way through the backs and out to Tay on the wing who showed confidence and great pace to score from half way sealing a fantastic win for the Police. This is a fantastic start to the season and something we can really build on to have another successful campaign. Man of the match was so difficult choose because everyman played his part, but the final choice was big Richie Gowan who did so much of the work which normally goes unseen but without it yesterday we would not have faired so well. Well done Richie and everyone for a truly memorable game. Team: Gillies, Aikman, Gray, Gibson, Littlejohn, Thomson, Paterson, Watson, Taylor, Bryson, Bruce, McLeod, Dolan, Butler, Gowan, Campbell (S), Waddell, Campbell (J) and McAteer |