Wigtownshire RFC 5 – 55 Newton Stewart RFC
Spice Cup
Monday 2nd January 2017
The annual local derby between Wigtownshire RFC and Newton Stewart RFC to play for the Spice Cup took place this week. Some glorious sunshine encouraged a huge gathering of supporters out to watch their teams despite the chilly temperatures.
The 1st XV fixture was the top of the billing and saw Newton Stewart fielding their regular starting line-up. There were a few less familiar faces in the blue jerseys of Wigtownshire as some ‘blasts from the past’ were rounded up to keep the Reds on their toes.
The early exchanges went Newton Stewart’s way and with only a couple of minutes played Reds’ stand-off Jamie Muir opened the scoring when he found a gap in the Wigtownshire defensive line and outpaced his opposite man. He converted his own try for 0-7.
Kicking off once more, both teams were still looking to settle into the game and find their rhythm. A spell of shifting possession followed, but Muir once again created an opportunity for Newton Stewart when his kick for territory was perfectly placed and gave the Reds a platform from which to push forward. Winger Graham McMillan was the try scorer in the left corner and Muir missed the tricky conversion which followed, 0-12.
Wigtownshire took possession from the restart this time and looked to establish themselves in the game. Some powerful running from their back row players forced the tackles from the Reds defensive line, but it stood strong and Shire could not find a way through.
Two more first half tries came for Newton Stewart for scrum half Robbie McCornick and centre Fraser Morton, with Muir converting both scores to give the Reds a solid 0-26 lead with ten minutes left to play of the first half.
Shire continued to plug away and pressurise Newton Stewart. Patience and discipline paid off as they began to make some hard yards up the pitch and their supporters rewarded them with some very vocal encouragement. Throwing the ball out wide, winger Andy Farquhar crashed over the line to score a home try which couldn’t be converted to make the half-time score 5-26.
Early in the second half Muir demonstrated his good game management with another perfectly placed territory kick, putting Newton Stewart deep into the Shire half. Two line-outs followed for the Reds, but when the ball was thrown out to the backs, Wigtownshire were able to steal it and counter-attack.
Shutting down the defences once more, the Reds recovered their possession and the ball fell to back row Jason McKie who created and scored a superb individual try with a combination of good footballing skills, safe hands and powerful running. Muir converted once more.
There were spells of possession for Shire, however they were unable to create anything from them. In contrast, Newton Stewart made chances and took many of them. Reds’ captain James Wallace was to score two second half tries for Newton Stewart, both in similar style. Demonstrating some useful pace and a devastating hand-off, he ran in from well out to score in the left corner both times. Muir converted the earlier try, but not the latter.
Robbie McCornick created another try for Jason McKie with ten minutes to go, before centre Craig Johnstone scored the final try for the Reds with another opportunistic attack. Kicking a loose ball through the Shire defence he gathered it neatly and ran in to score.
The final score was 5-55, a comprehensive victory for Newton Stewart, but an enjoyable game for both sides with the healthy rivalry which exists to the fore as always. In reality, the rugby is merely a warm-up for the party which follows, and a continuation of the festive season. Newton Stewart RFC are always warmly welcomed and well looked after by the committee, players and supporters of Wigtownshire RFC, for which they are most grateful.
Individual performances of note for Newton Stewart included full-back Tyrell Wilson who provided a safe pair of hands under the high ball and counter-attacked well. James Wallace, a seasoned campaigner in this fixture, made some powerful ball carries, and substitute hooker Robbie Smith made his debut for the 1st XV team and immediately made an impact in the loose.
Man of the Match however is double try scorer Jason McKie. Ferocious tackling, quick-thinking and physical in attack, his fantastic all round performance was rounded off by his sensational individual try.
This weekend Newton Stewart return to league duties with a trip to Helensburgh RFC. The next home game for the Reds will be a big clash against third placed Carrick RFC from Maybole on Saturday 14th January when the club look forward to welcoming as many supporters as possible.
Team:
Newton Stewart RFC: T Wilson, L Brawls, F Morton, C Johnstone, G McMillan, J Muir, R McCornick, M Wallace, T MacDonald, R Fiskin, W McCornick, E Dewar, J McKie, M McCornick, J Wallace (capt). Subs: R Smith, A Gaw, C Murray, D Skimming, A O’Reilly, K Wright, D Sommerville.
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