Banff RFC 36 Harris Academy FPs 28

Banff Rugby Club returned to the field to begin their season with a tough home cup tie against Harris Academy in the Caledonia Shield. Banff were relegated from Caledonia Division 1 last season, finishing below Harris in the table. Defeats home and away to the Dundee based side proved to be significant, so Banff looked to take revenge as the season opened at a sunny Duff House.

Banff started with a strong line up, and following some good carrying from Neil Murray, were awarded an early penalty, which Gordon Robertson nailed to send Banff 3-0 up. Harris seemed somewhat rattled, and Banff extended the advantage soon after. After a shortened line out, Murray sent the defence backwards, and Lee Youngson dummied and raced through the gears to leave the defenders trailing.

Harris came equipped with some strong forwards, and soon hit back with a score from close range after a rolling maul brought them close. Banff were not to be deterred. Banff crashed through a gap, and a one two from Andy McDonald and Robertson meant Robertson could score his first try of the season.

Soon after, Banff were flying. Good pressure from Murray and Robertson led to an error from the Harris scrum half, who kicked straight to Banff hands. Quick ball from Stuart Barron and Lee Youngson, sent Robertson cruising through under the posts, making the defender rushing up for the intercept look a little sheepish.

The icing on the cake came soon after though. John Hester defended a high kick solidly, and after a drive from Stevie Norrie, Banff sent the ball wide. After good hands, Kenny Daley drew the man and sent Angus Swan through. With players still to beat, he used his pace to score in the corner.

At the half time whistle, Banff could almost touch victory, but this perhaps left them complacent. Harris worked their way back into the game, and used their weight advantage to score a couple of forwards tries in reasonably quick succession, meaning Banff only led by 1 point.

Banff’s forwards all had good games, with Fraser Geddes and Liam Ross, two of the clubs most improved players helping to secure possession. Matt Baron and Nico Clark, stars of the clubs League Winning 16-17 season also made a nuisance of themselves alongside Morgan Page to disrupt the opposition. It was Daley who scored the crucial try, with a straight run sending him dummying past the opposition to send the crowd wild.

After Gordon Robertson converted his 5th kick out of 6, Banff held out to take the victory by 8 points. This was not without incident though, as the referee grew tired of infringements at the ruck John Swaffield paid the price, unluckily being the man chosen to see a yellow card. This was shortly followed by Geddes, over eagerness at the ruck seeing the referee reduce Banff to 13 men.

Banff were delighted to take the win at the full tie whistle, and will face either Moray or Alloa at home in the Quarter Final. Coach Alan Elphinstone said “It was great to get back to winning ways. We have a good side here and it showed today. We have a couple of defensive things to work on at training, but all in all a good day.”

Banff RFC XV- Ross, McDonald, Ferrier, Geddes, Norrie, Baron, Clark, Murray, Barron, Youngson, Hester, Robertson, Davidson, Swan, Daley. Subs- Page, Swaffield, Riddell