FOSORC Super Series Championship | Review of Round 9

Saturday 30 September: Ayrshire Bulls v Stirling Wolves

It was a driech afternoon as the game got underway at Millbrae. Both sides started the game strong, and the first points were made after ten minutes of play. Wolves were applying the pressure, but Ayrshire Bulls were able to push through, and it was skipper Blair MacPherson who grounded the ball over the line. Conversion from Brad Roderick-Evans soared through the posts.

Stirling Wolves retaliated quickly with a try of their own as they stormed up the pitch from the reset and it was Connor Gordon who got the first try for the visitors. Marcus Holden added the extras to bring the scoreboard even.

Emotions were running high at Millbrae as a high tackle on Bulls Jamie Shedden sent him soaring and Connor Gordon was shown a red card by the referee at the 20-minute mark.

Ref Rob McDowell was making full use of his cards as he went to his pocket for another closely after for Wolves Craig Jackson following a challenge on Reiss Cullen which resulted in a penalty try for the hosts.

The depleted Wolves team struggled to stop the barrage of the Bulls pack as they pushed through for their third try of the game with a swan dive try under the sticks from Bobby Beattie. Extras were added.

A breakaway from Bulls Jamie Shedden got the Bulls firmly back into the Wolves territory. After a penalty kick led to a successful throw the ball found the hands of Bobby Beatie again and he crossed the try line for his second of the game. Conversion went wide.

The second yellow card of the match was shown five minutes before half time this time for Bulls Captain Blair MacPherson. The hosts held firm in his absence and were in a strong lead at the break.

HALF-TIME: Ayrshire Bulls 26 – 7 Stirling Wolves

Quick off the mark into the second half Bulls made light work of getting the points rolling on the scoreboard as Lewis McNamara grounded the ball over line. Conversion was successful.

The game saw a brief quiet period of fifteen minutes with neither team able to follow through on their attack. Until Wolves Ross McKnight made a break away from the halfway line and after a series of loose tackles from Bulls, he weaved his way from the far right of the pitch and tapped the ball under the posts. Holden took the conversion from his hand, and it went wide.

Gaining a second wind Bulls went in for another try this time with Brad Roderick-Evans finding the gap in the Wolves defence as he crashed over the line. Unfortunately, he missed his own conversion.

The visitors dug deep to get their third try on the board after a throw-in led to a successful driving maul with Sam Rainey at the helm. Extras were missed.

Closing off the scoring for the evening was another try for Bulls as they ploughed their way through the Wolves defence and Rhodri Tanner put the final points on the board. The conversion was successful and the Bulls walked away with the win.

FULL-TIME: Ayrshire Bulls 45 – 17 Stirling Wolves

Referee: Rob McDowell
FOSROC Player of the Match: Ed Bloodworth (Ayrshire Bulls)

TRIES:
Ayrshire Bulls: Blair MacPherson, Bobby Beattie (2), Lewis McNamara, Brad Roderick Evans, Rhodri Tanner
Stirling Wolves: Connor Gordon, Ross McKnight, Sam Rainey

CONVERSIONS:
Ayrshire Bulls: Brad Roderick-Evans (4)
Stirling Wolves: Marcus Holden

YELLOW CARD:
Ayrshire Bulls: Blair MacPherson
Stirling Wolves: Craig Jackson

RED CARD:
Stirling Wolves: Connor Gordon

Saturday 30 September: Southern Knights v Watsonians

It took 25 minutes for the first points to be added the board. After a penalty allowed Watsonians to kick into touch within the Knights 22, a successful line out let hooker Jake Kerr, with the help of his team mates, to tank over the line. Captain Lee Millar’s kick was successful.

Close to the try line, Watsonians prop Gregor Scougall was shown a yellow for collapsing the scrum, bringing the visitors down to 14 men for 10 minutes.

HALF-TIME: Southern Knights 0 – 7 Watsonians

After a long period of relentless attack and defence from both sides, the scoring was finally opened in the second half when Watsonians scrum half Connor McAlpine took the ball from the ruck and slipped past all Knights defence himself, dotting down just left of the sticks. Lee Millar secured the full points with his boot.

The Knights finally added their first points of the night when a heavy driving maul got Corbin Thunder over the white wash. Harris Rutherford’s kick was good.

Another long period of strong attack and defence from both sides unfortunately didn’t result in any further scoring and the full time whistle was blown.

FULL-TIME: Southern Knights 7 – 14 Watsonians

Referee: Sam Grove-White
FOSROC Player of the Match: Connor McAlpine (Watsonians)

TRIES:
Southern Knights: Corbin Thunder
Watsonians: Jake Kerr, Connor McAlpine

CONVERSIONS:
Southern Knights: Harris Rutherford
Watsonians: Lee Millar (2)

YELLOW CARD:
Watsonians: Gregor Scougall