Kirkcaldy vs Aberdeen Grammar
10 December 2011
Kirkcaldy 0 Aberdeen Grammar 75
Aberdeen Grammar ruthlessly exploited the gap between Premier 1 and Premier 3 when they ran in 11 tries against Caledonia neighbours Kirkcaldy in the Regional Cup at Beveridge Park.
The result delighted coach Alex Duncan who said: “We were just too good for them, as well as bigger, clinical, intensive and encouragingly more skilful in what became a very one-sided game.”
Duncan took advantage of his side’s first game in the four-team section to bring in new youngsters in a bid to give them experience required for the push for a possible place in the British and Irish Cup next season should they make the top four of Premier 1.
Among those who grabbed the chance to shine was stand-off Alex Hagart who led his line with confidence.
The 18-year-old also kicked six conversions in the rout of the Fifers.
Prop Graeme Carson was another debutant who performed with distinction when he came on as a replacement, underlining the club’s ability to produce quality front rows.
There were hat-tricks for winger Callum Anderson and number eight Greig Ryan, though the try of the day came from winger Will Wardlaw who got on the end of a slick move from his fellow backs to show just why he is Grammar’s leading tryscorer.
Scrum half Morgan Ward, flanker Rab Barrie, centre Fraser Lyle and full-back Steven Aitken all got in on the act with touchdowns as the Rubislaw side cut loose after taking an unassailable 33-point lead into the second half.
Disappointingly for captain and lock Murray Douglas, he just failed in his bid to score against his old side, being held up just short of the line near the end of the game.
“It was an impressive show which we can, hopefully, take into the new year”, said Douglas.
Rob Aloe, fresh from a trip to New Zealand, added to the tally with four conversions to complete a welcome return to competitive rugby for Grammar, who will be expecting more of the same on Saturday when they meet Morgan in the same competition in Aberdeen before the sterner task when they meet Dundee High on January 7.
Kirkcaldy hung on for the first 20 minutes, containing the visitors to a Ryan try, scored in the second minute, but thereafter the home side was swept away by a tide of Grammar attacks.
“The good thing about the run out was not picking up any injuries, combined with the performance of the new players. Once we got into our stride there was no stopping us. Greig Ryan was a stand out, but then so was Stuart Smith in the second row. This is a side which could go places”, said Kevin Wyness, the club’s forwards coach.
© 2011 Jack Nixon
Reproduced with permission from the Press & Journal.
Team: Steve Aitken, Callum Anderson, Will Wardlaw, Fraser Lyle, Apelu Alapati, Alex Hagart, Morgan Ward, Nicki Fraser, Matt Dixon, Richard Allen, Ed Nimmons, Murray Douglas (c), Rab Barrie, Tony McGinness, Grieg Ryan.
Replacements: Graeme Carson, Sam Bingham, Stuart Smith, Sam Ryan.