Irvine Rugby Club are almost safe

Apr 3 2009 by John Woods, Irvine Herald

NEWLY-CROWNED champions Kirkcaldy Blues arrived at Marress in triumph on Saturday but were sent home with their tails between their legs as Irvine pulled off a shock win which eased their relegation worries.

The Fifers harnessed the strong wind from the start and their early pressure paid off in 12 minutes when they won possession at an Irvine scrum and scrum half Chris McConnell swept round the home defence for the opening try.

That went unconverted and Irvine immediately hit back when a tremendous tackle by Kevin Lang in midfield saw the ball break loose and, when Paul Johnston darted through the covering defenders, Gordon Brown was on hand to outstrip the rest of the Kirkcaldy rearguard from some 30 metres out to make it 5-5.

Blues regained the lead with a 31st minute Kenny Fraser penalty but it was Irvine who took the interval advantage when man-of-the-match Lance Elrick took possession on his own ten-metre line, popped the ball over the Kirkcaldy defence and followed up to hack it towards the goal line where Alastair Spice won the race and scooped it up and drove over to make it 10-8 for the Marress Men.

Irvine harnessed the elements to pin their opponents deep in their own half after the break and it was no real surprise when the Maroons took advantage of an intercepted pass to push the visitors back before slipping the ball inside to veteran Kiwi Tony Wright who stormed over for Irvine's third try, this time converted by Robbie Stewart.

Kirkcaldy hit back with successive penalties by Kenny Fraser before Sean Christie put Irvine on the front foot again with a fine drop goal from outside the 22, Robbie Stewart opened up a nine-point gap after the referee pulled Kirkcaldy up for wheeling the scrum then Irvine got the vital bonus try point in 66 minutes when Ruchin Filander took advantage of a quick tap penalty to take the ball over for a try in the corner.

It was all Irvine now and when Kirkcaldy were penalised again for dropping the scrum, Filander once more ran the ball in for a spectacular try, this time converted from way out on the touchline by Stewart.

Kirkcaldy ended the scoring minutes from the end when Matt Thompson finished off a long forwards’ drive and Kenny Fraser converted to make the final score 35-21 for the home side.

Irvine Seconds completed an excellent day at Marress by defeating visitors Lenzie 46-12 with tries by Louis McKee, who scored three, Jamie Muir, John Carson and Jon Hale, while Chris Saunderson slotted three conversions and a penalty.

Irvine Firsts have now two games left, away to Garnock in two weeks’ time and then a trip to doomed Livingston. The Seconds have also two games, both at home, to Stewarty and Annan.

The day ended with Irvine's player of the year celebrations in the evening. The roll of honour was.

Player of the Year: Morne Strydom.

President's Player of the Year: Ruchin Filander.

Seconds Player of the Year: Craig Lang.

Young Player of the Year: Ross Campbell.

"Dugmeat" Trophy: Dawn Auld.

Irvine Rugby Club wish to thank everyone involved in making the Player of the Year night such a success, particularly "Leraj" for the catering.