1st XV
Game Reports
19 April 2008
Cougars 12 - Kircaldy 31
Thanks for the adventure
A bright sunny day spoiled by a driving wind at Beverage Park Kirkcaldy, awaited the visiting Cougars as they prepared to upset the odds in the Semi Final of this year’s Shield.
Kirkcaldy, lying third in Premier 3 and with a successful season behind them, looked like they would be stiff opposition and the open salvos of the game confirmed this, as they stole the Cougar’s first line out to apply early pressure. With one of the heaviest packs in Scottish rugby (their front row reputedly weigh in excess of SIXTY stone) it was no surprise that their game plan was built around the driving maul.
With the pressure increasing it was no surprise when in the seventh minute Kirkcaldy opened the scoring, blind side wing forward Murphy dotting down, after good work by the open-side added width to an attack on the right. Two quick rucks later and Murphy broke a tackle to score. With Sanft’s conversion Kirkcaldy led 7 – 0.
Things looked ominous as Kirkcaldy controlled all phases of the game and the Cougars struggled to gain possession. Only a fantastic corner flag tackle by Welshie stopped the home side from scoring a second try in the tenth minute.
The second score, when it arrived in the twentieth minute, was disappointing as it came from a ball spilled in the tackle at a scrum. Good work by the home back row took the ball wide on the right before it was fed left into the hands of the hefty Mangalo who rumbled over to score. Converted, the score was 14 – 0 and the Cougars had hardly touched the ball.
As the game progressed the Boys slowly realised that Kirkcaldy were playing a limited game and that they could get into the game if they spread the ball and forced the pace, rather than kicking any ball won back to the home side.
Slowly the Cougars gained in confidence and in the thirtieth minute their perseverance was rewarded, as Kirkcaldy willing sacrificed a penalty in front of their posts, on the twenty two, after a period of sustained attacking by the Visitors. Unfortunately the kick was missed and the opportunity lost.
As the Cougars continued to press Kirkcaldy managed a turn over and broke down field forcing the Cougars to concede a line out on the twenty two. From the line out the ball went left along the line before being switched back to the awaiting pod of forwards on the right, leaving second row Harvey with a simple score. The conversion failed 19 – 0.
With half time looming a missed tackle at the base of a scrum allowed Kirkcaldy a clear run to the line and a score under the posts, converted by Sanft. 26 – 0
Half Time 26 – 0.
Kirkcaldy were worthy leaders at half time , though the score flattered them. The Cougars, having had no possession in the opening twenty minutes, had forced their way into the game and should have scored. The final scores before half time were disappointing as they put the game out of reach.
Kirkcaldy started the second half with a bang and only a despairing tap tackle by Douggie Cross stopped a score from the restart.
Kirkcaldy continued to press and in the tenth minute scored a marvellous try created by full back Berry who put in a delightful grubber kick, through the on rushing Cougars back line, for winger Webster to score. With the conversion missing, the score now read 31 – 0.
One of the most impressive aspects about the Cougars’ play this season has been their guts and determination. At 31 – 0 the game could have turned into a rout, but all credit to the players, they bravely fought their way back into the game and started to take control, forcing Kirkcaldy onto the back foot and into giving away a stream of penalties.
In the thirtieth minute the Cougars opted to kick to the corner from a penalty. After winning the line out and subsequent pop and drives, quick ball was fed right where Welshie dived in to score. The conversion was missed. 31 – 5.
The Cougars attacked again directly from the kick off, driving the home pack back with a rolling maul followed by a series of pick and goes. Frustratingly the attack ended with a five meters scrum. The Boys continued to press and Kirkcaldy conceded a penalty on their line. Attempts at a quick tap were deliberately thwarted and Referee Colin Brett had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try. 
Converted by Kev Watters, the Cougars now trailed 31 – 12 with eight minutes to go.
Kirkcaldy were under serious pressure for the first time in the game and as the Cougars continued to attack, the Home side increasingly resorted to illegally killing play at the rucks, with the inevitable consequence of a yellow card being flourished at the home side’s open side Nelson.
The game ended with Kirkcaldy running out winners 31 – 12 and we wish them all the best for their final against Garnock who pulled of a last minute (well actually 6th minute of injury time) victory, in the final.
This was a game of what might have been. The opening twenty minutes was the poorest the Cougars have played in a long time. Combined with the electric start by Kirkcaldy it was no surprise when the Boys fell behind. Once they realised they were treating Kirkcaldy with too much respect, and once they started to spread the ball around, they started to believe in themselves and the tide slowly turned.
The Boys will have learned a great deal from this game – how hard to hit a ruck being one thing, and how to capitalise from an opponents mistakes being another – but they shouldn’t be disheartened. Play like we have been for the last four months, and play with the intensity demonstrated by Kirkcaldy, and promotion to the Premiership should be a realisable target for next season.
Well done Boys and thanks for the adventure.
Team: Welsh, Sherman, Jones, Cross, Heslop, Maiden, Hunter, Hicks, Verity, Williamson, Docherty, Hutton, Montgomery, Morrison E, McLeod. Subs (all used) Morrison F, Rich, Crichton, Watters.
Report by Graham Duff
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