These are the kind of games the Dunfermline coaches thought they wanted more of? but as the players on the pitch proved they are a credit to their clubs, the behaviour on the touchline was leaving alot to be desired.
S1 Squad:
Forwards: Lewis Cook, Cal Clarke, Jay Hogg, Sean Ramsay, Thomas Pooley, Kieran Twaddle, Jonathan Scott (Capt), Cameron Shaw, Kieran Wilson, John Lymburn, Alex Featherstone, Mark McAdams and Ewan Duncan.
Backs: Aidan Reddick, Ben Dollery, Euan Colston, Cameron Symes, Lewis Buchan, Sean Clark, Andrew Waterworth, Jackson Moyles, Kray Hynd and Harvey Watson.
Today's game was to be played on a pitch that has seen better days, heavy in places and was always going to drain the energy from the legs of both sides.
The game was hard fought up front and was a battle in the ruck, both sets of players giving their all to win ball for their team.
Stirling had most of the early play with Dunfermline having to defend strongly just to stay in the game.
In the 16th Dunfermline took the lead when a loose ball found its way to Cameron Symes who powered down the right wing to open the scoring.
That would give Dunfermline a half time lead 3 V 0.
As the referee (me) was looking forward to a quick half time drink, the Stirling coaches were seeking blood, armed with their clip boards and 20 minutes worth of stats they preceeded to disect every decision that did not go their way! S1 rugby?
The second half was to be a strong 20 minutes for Stirling who pounced on some slack passing from Dunfermline, after 3 or 4 hacks over the 22 Stirling were able to level the scores. The game swung Stirlings way when their fullback decided he was going to make an impact on the game, burst down the wing beating tackle after tackle to score. Has to be said he is a fine player.
Dunfermline started to lose their way abit and conceeded 2 further trys with the fullback playing a big part for Stirling.
All in all a good learning curve for the squad with some individuals being caught out with this level of opposition.
Thanks to stirling for todays game and thanks to the S1 Dunfermline parents for their support in conditions that can only be descibed as difficult.
Saying of the day!
You can keep some of the people happy some of the time, but you will never keep all of the people happy all of the time.
Who would be a referee?