Perthshire U18 - 0   Grangemouth U18 – 35

Grangemouth travelled to Perth on Sunday looking for a first win at this level having been continually improving over the last few weeks. 70 minutes and 7 tries later the task was duly completed with perhaps the most pleasing aspect being the 0 points for a game Perthshire side who pressured the defence on a number of occasions.

Grangemouth started the game brightly and it was not long before flying wing Graeme Alexander had the chance to show his paces as he outpaced his opposite number to touch down his own kick ahead for the first try. Perthshire responded by attempting to maul the ball through their big forwards and Grangemouth had to be brave in defense to repel the home team. It was apparent that Grangemouth had the pace advantage in all areas of the pitch and after turning defense into attack through some good support play the Perthshire team were adjudged to have killed the ball 10 metres from the line. Stand off Saul Holdsworth, perhaps sensing an off day with the boot, took a quick tap and showed good determination to squeeze over the line for the first of his hat trick of tries.

The pattern of the game was well set with Perthshire looking to their forwards at every opportunity and Grangemouth keen to run the ball through their backs. Despite the size advantage Grangemouth were more than holding their own in the set piece and were mounting sustained attacks on the home teams’ line. The next score came through some good movement in the backs with Holdsworth again finishing it off by squeezing in at the corner.   The final try of the half came courtesy of a typical barn storming run by Christian Wallace. After some strong defence by the centres Christian picked up the loose ball and with the encouraging words of his coaches urging him to move the ball wide, took off on a run which saw the Perthshire defenders lying in his wake, and Christian scoring near the posts.

The second half was very much a repeat of the first, with strong Grangemouth defence holding Perthshire at bay and good direct running and passing by the Grangemouth youngsters producing ample scoring chances, more composure would have seen the scores come easier but this will come if the attitude remains at training. For the record the scorers in the second period were Alexander for his second, Holdsworth completing his hat trick and the ever versatile Stewart Laird popping up on the wing to take a pass from Brian Scott and canter home from 50 yards.

As stated, the most pleasing thing for the coaches after this match was to see their young charges taking on board a lot of the excercises on the training ground and repeating them in a match situation. There will be more to come from these youngsters as they continue to mature both mentally and physically.