Strathmore Trophy 2008 Report

Well it was time for the two member schools of Strathmore Schools to face off in the Strathmore cup. Both teams were made up experienced players and non-rugby players to make up the numbers.
Forfar Academy kicked to start the first half, and pushed Websters back deep into there own half. Gary Robb continually kicked for safety but Forfar kept on pushing. Both sides opted to kick for touch with their penalties. This continued for the first fifteen minutes of the game. Websters then began there own attack, and as a result of this increased there time in the Forfar half.
Websters took first blood with a penalty kick, so 3-0 to Websters. Forfars defence took a dent and Websters punished them for it eventually breaking through to score the try which was converted by Gary Robb. 10-0 to Websters. Websters then upped the pressure forcing scrums and mistakes from the Forfar pack. Great runs from Allan Witheres gave Forfar some chances, but the ball was turned over as Allan was much faster than his supporting players. Grant Maclaren was taken off with an expected cracked elbow. Forfar eventually got a penalty and were happy to kick to touch and see the end of the first half.
A Stern team talk at half time made all the difference at half time as Forfar took the game straight to Websters. Forfar made clearer choices and had more support for the attacking player. Websters started to concede penalties and Forfar kicked to touch to force themselves into the Websters half.
Forfar got their first score in the 50th minute when Calum Maclean picked from a break down and ran in under the posts. Callum Howie converted the try to make the score 10-7.
Then minutes later Maclean passed to fly half Stephen from a scrum then a quick pop pass the Andrew Pritchard who drew the defender and off-loaded the ball the Duncan Hampton who side stepped three or four defenders and crossed the line, Callum Howies conversion was successful. Forfar now lead 14-10.
Forfar continued to run at Websters and where possible ran the penalties which lead to a break on the left wing which saw hooker Russell Walked score a great try in the corner. The conversion was just short. Forfar had extended the lead to 19-10.
The three tries in ten minutes inspired the Forfar pack and changes where made.
Forfar again piled on the pressure, and were solid in defence, causing havoc at the Websters scrum.
The score remained the same until six minutes from the end when Callum Howie ran up the right wing and popped the ball in the tackle to Stephen Greenhill, who handed off a player to score in the corner. Forfar gained control, leading 24-10.
Webters then threw all they had at Forfar, and there only chance of scoring was a penalty which fell short.
The ref called last play and Forfar knew the had victory and a knock on from Websters ended the game, Forfar winning 24-10.
All players played well, especially those who came to make numbers and make the game possible.
So Forfar Academy win the Strathmore Trophy for the second year in a row.
With players leaving next year, it is going to be close.

Scorers:-Websters-Try-???
Con-Gary Robb
Pen-Gary Robb
Forfar- Try-Calum MacLean
Duncan Hampton
Russell Walker
Stephen Greenhill
Con-Callum Howie (2)

Man of the Match:-
Websters-Gary Robb
Forfar-Duncan Hampton