Strathmore travelled a short journey to Dundee on Saturday to play a fired up Harris FP team. Strathmore had to call on a couple of experienced players to fill in, with Westwood coming straight into start for the absent Yarr, S. Knox and Bell. There was also a big change in the front row with Gray moving up from the second row for the injured Mitchell.

The game got under way with Brown kicking uphill into the Harris pack. The game was really tight to begin with and probably the way Harris wanted it to go. The FP side started to rumble and keep it in the forward and scored a well worked try on 8 minutes. Harris were up 5-0 and it sounded like they had won the world cup and showed how much it means to teams when playing the team at the top. Strathmore couldn’t get clean ball and the ball they did get wasn’t great, so Brown was just putting the ball straight back down the pitch and making the 15 have much needed catching practice. Strathmore had set a good platform for the backs to get a run and Langland’s found a gap in the Harris defence to run in untouched to score a great try. Wood adds the Extras, 7-5 and 20 minutes gone. The Forfar side struggled for the first time this season at there set piece, with the lineout not firing and the scrum starting to struggle even more so when Strachan and the corner stone of the Strathy pack limped off with a niggle. There was foul play after foul play and the phases were lucky to get to 2nd and 3rd phase, after penalty after penalty Harris openside saw yellow for holding on. With Harris a man down Strathmore got there second score just before half time with quick hands from the backs to put L.Knox in with still his wingers outside him. It just showed how much space there was out wide.

Half Time 12-5

The Dundee side kicked off into shovel hands Watson. Harris were now playing up hill and you could see that there fitness isn’t going to last, after each play there was a pile of Harris body’s struggling to get back to the feet. With the home side struggling to keep up, the Harris Tight Head wanted a much needed rest so thought he would pick on the smallest man (wood) on the park with a cheap punch from behind. This resulted in Wood retaliating and putting him on his back like the turtle in the KitKat advert. “have a break”. With the both sides down to 14 men for ten minutes, the Inchmacoble side come out better off. Langland’s had scored his second under the post from a powerful run down hill this time. Brown with an easy kick in front of the sticks to add the extras. 19-5. Strathmore knew they only needed one more score to secure the bonus point and started to put the squeeze on. The bonus point finally come from a penalty try for persistent pulling down the maul. Another easy kick in front of the posts. 26-5 now the score. This a wee relief for the players and travelling support. With the weight off the shoulders, the game started to flow. The forwards and backs were making inroads. There could have easily been two other tries when Kiely went out in touch and Marshall Slipping on way to the line. Morrice was doing a power of work and Wilson doing a power of running. You could feel it wouldn’t be long until the next score. Wilson had found a hole to swallow dive over to keep him in the hunt for Top Try Scorer who is joint top with Brad McKenzie. Brown kicking the extras.

Final Score 33-5

Man of the Match: Bambi

Strathmore now only have two games left in there season with a free weekend next week (16th) then away to Glenrothes on the 23rd. The final game is in Stonehaven to play Mackie on the 30th .

Remember there is a Race Night at the club on the 16th, information on the website.

It was good to see the cyclists had a few extra friends on Saturday, excellent effort gents.

Tuesday 12th April No training
Thursday 14th April Training
Saturday 16th April No game (Club Race Night)

If some guys want to have a run around on Tuesday give Kyle a text (07702527987) maybe touch, gym or some fitness. This a massive run in to the end of the season. Everything that you do extra will help us win the League, even if it’s coming down to work on your personal skills.