Thursday 7th Feb 2008

Scottish Cup

KIRKCALDY LADIES RFC 86 - 0 GRANGEMOUTH STAGETTES

Thursday 7th saw Grangemouth take on 1st Division Kirkcaldy under the flood lights at the Beveridge Park in the first round of the Scottish Cup.

This was the first ever game in the cup as last season saw Grangemouth compete in the Bowl.

Grangemouth had 13 players available but due to Bridge traffic had to start the game with 12.

It was obvious from the start that the pace of the game was going to be at a higher level that previously encountered by Grangemouth. Ball was quickly turned over following a line out and strong running by the pacey centre for Kirkcaldy saw the first of a number of tries to be scored by the number 12.

The next try by Kirkcaldy was an individual effort by the stand off who chipped over the head of Grangemouth exploiting the lack of numbers to catch her own kick to score between the posts.  Both of the try scored were borrowed players from Dundee University.

Grangemouth looked unsettled in the first 20 minutes but fought hard to develop structure to their defence and eventually began to contain the Kirkcaldy runners and force them to play phases. Tackling by Jemma Forsyth and Karen Ditch showed that Grangemouth were coping well in the tight but the experience of the Fifers showed and continued to add to their score.

Grangemouth showed guts and determination to keep fighting throut the game.  Strong tackling by Kairn Campbell did not make it easy for Kirkcaldy.  The pick and go stag ball was executed well by back row forward Mairi Forsyth and Emma Forbes-Hayes and new hooker Emily Emsworth.

A couple of injuries saw Grangemouth having to shuffle their team, Emma Bradie moving  from wing to 2nd row to rest her “twinging” knee, Emma Forbes-Hayes taking over on the wing until Alex Chapman, would had battled through the traffic for 3 hours, took the wing spot to allow captain Elisabeth Lawrie to retire with a swollen knee. Forbes-Hayes moved to scrum half.

The Grangemouth backs showed great skills with an excellent take of high ball followed by a clearance kick by Corrie Malcolm, Susan Ferguson’s pace continues to cause problems for the opposition and Debbie Little is fearless in defence. 

It was a hard day at the office for the Glensburgh girls but one that they will take lessons and skills learned in to their next games.  The Ladies now move into the Bowl Competition and will face Morgan away on 14th April.

Player of the Day;

1 Kairn Campbell 2 Karen Ditch, 3 Jemma Forsyth

Hit of the day; Jemma Forsyth

Squad; Karen Ditch, Emily Emsworth, Rhona Wilson, Kairn Campbell, Emma Forbes-Hayes, Mairi Forsyth, Elizabeth Lawrie, Jemma Forsyth, Debbie Little, Susan Ferguson, Corrie Malcolm,  Emma Bradie, Alex Chapman.