Aberdeenshire 2nds 13 Ross-Sutherland 17
WITH fists flying, penalties being awarded left, right and centre and mounting pressure, Ross-Sutherland clung on to clock up their third away victory on the bounce to remain top of the league.
Ross looked the brighter of the two sides in the opening exchanges, some good work at the break-down giving the team some good ball retention. Some slick passing in the backs released flying winger Mike Gordon, who darted past his opposite man to go in for a try in the corner.
Aberdeenshire were prepared to mix it up front. With fists flying and the penalty count racking up, the referee was forced to bring both captains together and read the riot act. Shire then took advantage of some loose defending around the fringes of the rucks, to go in for a well-worked try, bringing the game back to 5-5.
Aberdeenshire took advantage of the ever-increasing penalty count and after countless failures to break the Ross defence they opted to kick, increasing the score 8-5. Ross responded well, with some big carries from Ken Mackenzie and Dingwall man David Edes. This was translated into points as Gordon again broke through for a try between the posts, putting Ross into the lead at 10-8. This was converted by scrum-half Johnny Mann to leave the score at 12-8 as half-time beckoned.
The second half began well with some notable pick-and-go within the forwards, giving Ross some momentum.
It was winger Mike Gordon who eventually got the try, scoring his hat-trick and 19th for the season.
The match descended into a chaotic affair, with penalties mounting for both sides and fists flying. Aberdeenshire managed to pull a score back as they caught Ross on the hop to make the score 17-13.
The final moments of the match were tense, but Ross held on, under mounting pressure to seal the win and remain on top of the table.
Captain David Kennedy said after the match, "That was a game that we really needed to win, so from that respect I am delighted, we managed to grind out a victory against an experienced physical side and away from home. It was perhaps not the best rugby we've played this season, but a win is a win."
Ross Sutherland play host to Moray RFC this Saturday in their biggest match of the season to date, as Moray look to close the gap on the league leaders. Kick-off is at 2pm at the Naval Ground.
