'Shire Hold Back Storm Dennis to Win Big at Rubislaw

Aberdeenshire travelled the short distance to Rubislaw last Saturday for a crucial league encounter against local rivals Aberdeen Grammar 2s.

Aberdeenshire, who were close to full strength, were determined to gain revenge for an agonising one-point defeat during the reverse fixture at Woodside earlier in the season. Saturday’s match was played in brutal conditions, with strong cross winds and incessant heavy rain affecting the players' handling abilities at times, but both teams must be commended for their play in such poor conditions.

The game kicked off and immediately 'Shire were on the front-foot tearing into the Grammar team with some huge hits and some impressive carries by the big ‘Shire forwards led their 7ft 6" second-row giant Connor Macfarlane and the old war-horse himself veteran loose forward Barry "Rugby Baz" Davies, still plying his trade for the ‘Shire 1s at the grand old age of '60'! The first scrum arrived and Grammar were shunted back by the huge ‘Shire pack. 10 minutes had passed before ‘Shire could capitalise on the pressure scoring the first try of the match. Awarded a penalty five metres out, Macfarlane with a quick tap-and-go to score. Our impressive and dynamic scrum-half, Paul Harrow, successfully slotted the conversion and ‘Shire were 0 – 7 up after 11 minutes. Grammar had no answer to the incessant ‘Shire machine and had resorted to kicking the ball up the field to relieve the pressure which allowed ‘Shire to mount wave after wave of attacks. Next on the score sheet was Lewis "The Coo" Emslie (so nicknamed as he has to be milked twice a day) with a barging run from two yards out preceding some close quarter ‘Shire forward carries. Again, even with the challenging conditions, Harrow converted.

30 minutes gone and ‘Shire were 0 – 19. Then came another rampaging forwards move and hooker, Thomas "Show Us The Dragons" Dugdale, crept over. Another successful conversion made it 0 - 21. 8 minutes later and it was 0 - 26 with Harrow skipping over. Unfortunately his impressive success rate gave out as the Conversion was missed. ‘Shire were using their bench well. Two minutes later and ‘Shire scored the try of the season - some fantastic ball handling by the ‘Shire backs and a surging run by captain fantastic, Frazier Doorman, set up Number 8 Josh "I might have grey hair but I'm only 21" Taylor, for a brilliant try. Conversion missed.

HT: 0 - 31

The second half kicked off and ‘Shire were playing against the elements with a strong wind blowing. This had no effect on the team at all as 5 minutes in they promptly ran up the park with pace with the aforementioned, Doorman, being involved in the move twice and winger, Mike BigMaclagoogish touched down wide out. It turned out to be a topsy-turvy day for Big Mac, with a try, another yellow card.. and a few dropped balls. Mike is actually awaiting a hand transplant at the moment. (Stuart Hogg need not apply as a donor)

The conversion was missed, but two minutes later Scrum-Half Harrow jinked over to make it 0 - 41. It wasn't long before 'Shire talisman, Gav “The Chav” Cunningham, got on the scoresheet with the first of his two tries. One successfully converted by Harrow. With Steve Shrewsbury, Shane Lafferty and the mightily impressive Liam Reid being introduced in the front row along with Jimmy Dooley and Duncan Fungus on in the Back-Row the substituted players converged around The Coo's brolly to seek shelter from the elements.

There then followed a period of great hilarity. First there was a big slap fest which involved most of the players with Mcgluegashedhead complaining "this lad punched me on the nose" which resulted in yellow cards for the two opposite wingers.

The match carried on with Storm Dennis wreaking havoc on ‘Shire’s promising play which unfortunately resulted in multiple handling errors. A rampaging run by Steve "Taming of The Shrew" Shrewsbury and a beautiful draw and pass by Prop, Liam Reid, went unrewarded. Finally, Gav Cunningham’s second try was scored. And then, in the last minute, Ben "The Bullet" Morris scored a brilliant try to finish off a fantastic performance from ‘Shire.

FT: 0 – 60

A mightily impressive performance by the Woodside men with every ‘Shire player outstanding.

A special shout out goes to all the ‘Shire supporters, young and old, from Jimmy Livingston to Harry White, who braved the elements to cheer on their team. The players very much appreciated your support.

Next up the 1XV is away to Dyce Academy to play North Police Scotland this Saturday. This match will take place at 12:15pm to allow for the Italy vs Scotland Six Nations Match at 2:15pm!

#BigCatFamily