Crieff head to Murrayfield after hard match with Aberdeen Uni
Posted: 22/Apr/07
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Murrayfield Bound!
National Plate Semi Final
Aberdeen University 15 Crieff & Strathearn 16
This was the big one that so many of the local rugby fans were waiting for and when it did get going what a cracker ! Having defied the odds by getting this far the Blue & Golds were determined not to lose the big chance to enter the stage at the National Stadium at Murrayfield. The trip to Aberdeen was not seen as an easy one. The students had knocked out Gordonians the Champions of Cale 2 and had turned over West 1‘s Uddingston in an earlier round. The student’s web site told their support that this was the big one and after a hard period of intensive training were all geared up to meet the challenge of the Strathearn men . It came as something of a surprise to find out that the captain of the Students was one Murray Wyllie who is from Crieff and was in days gone by a stalwart of the Braidhaugh Minis !
Coach Phil Murdoch chose a predictable squad with only hooker Sean Horan and centre Fraser Lyle touch lined with injury. The chosen line up was : Wishart ; Guntley , Lambert , Coffey and A Murdoch; D Lyle and Butler ; Coventry , Webster , Cook , Alsop , Ramsay , Hill , Clow and Kennedy . On the bench were Dow, Leger, Gordon and Howell. What a start as the students fired up for the occasion soon had the Crieff men pinned back into their “ twenty two “. Despite giving away a lot up front the Aberdeen men were punching above their weight as they put in massive tackle after tackle. A ball into the corner sent out the alarm bells as the homesters drove into attack near the Crieff line. The ref blew up as three of the Crieff forwards went in from the side in an attempt to keep the ball up. A penalty try was the punishment and with the kick in front of the posts converted the Blue ands Golds found themselves 7- 0 down . It was clear that this was going to be a game and a half if Aberdeen were allowed to dominate. More pressure ensued and within minutes further disaster ! A well contrived pushover for try number two emphasised the students dominance. With the conversion missed it was now 12- 0 and a dream start for the students. All credit to the Strathearn men as at last they began to assert themselves. With the forwards beginning to dominate and Webster taking strikes against the head, the Crieff backs showed their paces. Butler was having a great game whilst David Lyle was the cool head at the helm. Both centres Lambert and Coffey were invincible in defence and looked good on the break. Wishart’s defence, covering and counter attacking was another ace in the pack. As pressure increased, the students game plan seemed to disintegrate as the Blue and Golds changed up a gear. A Duncan Clow penalty reduced the deficit as the teams turned with Aberdeen 12-3 ahead.
The second half was one of Crieff dominance. Wily coach Phil Murdoch made the substitutions as both Gordon and Leger came in to the front row whilst the sizable Mark Dow added a new dimension to the second row. This seemed a bit too much for the homesters as they found themselves shunted backwards at a pace. Aberdeen captain Murray Wylie at number eight was leading by example as he endeavoured to rally his young troops . The Crieff tails were now up. Pressure on the home line saw the talented teenager Jason Hill pick up from the base and thunder over for a well deserved try. Clow’s conversion sailed between the posts and it was 12- 10 and all to play for in this great contest. The Strathearn men were now in total control. Errors began to creep into the home game and a succession of infringements saw Clow strike home two further penalties to push the Blue and Golds into a 16 – 10 lead . Despite a consolation penalty for the Aberdonians, their last period of pressure saw the Crieff backs break clear. Lyle’s long touch kick brought the final whistle and the Murrayfield mission was on!
A superb win after a great student opener. The young Crieff squad balanced by a leavening of the elder statesmen is coming together as a potent force. The Final takes place on the main pitch at Murrayfield on the 5th May on National Final day. GHK our opponents are a gifted team who are based at Old Anniesland , home of Glasgow Hawks who are also at Murrayfield on the big day . It has all the makings of a great final .

This article was posted on 22-Apr-2007, 19:22 by Hugh Barrow.