Match Reports courtesy of Brian Wilson
Panmure 27 - 12 Blairgowrie 29. Mar 2008
Panmure finished the season in stirring style, comfortably seeing off the league leaders in stirring style. Put simply, Pannie had more flair than Blair.
There were early encouraging signs with promising breaks by Michael Niven and territorial advantages thanks to the boot of Captain Crombie.
The breakthrough came after 18 minutes. A dynamic drive took the forwards up to the visitors’ line and Duncan Lindsay did the needful. Gordon Melville added the two points.
Blair hit back before half-time with an un-converted try.
The Maroons undoubtedly had the best of the second half, still in atrocious conditions. Craig Cuthbert justified his “Fasty” nickname with two tries and Matthew Fairlie added a fourth.
Blair registered a second, converted try, in the closing stages but it was too little too late.
Messrs Prudom and D’Ambrosio paid a visit to the sin bin along with a Blair player as it became a bit tousy at times. But the most bizarre decision must have been the red card for a Blairgowrie substitute!
Panmure 40 - 10 Montrose 22. Mar 2008
Great way to start Easter. Egged on by their supporters - most of whom had enjoyed a glass of lunch - - - Panmure started at a cracking pace that left Montrose shell-shocked.
Powerful drives saw the Maroons surge deep into enemy territory then the ball was passed swiftly and slickly along the line until Gordon Gray spotted an inviting gap and made the most of it.
Dave D'Ambrosio stormed over for a second try and Matthew Fairly made it three before half time. Other highlight of the first half was the clearance kick by Parky. Since he himself drew my attention to this it would be churlish not to mention it! In any case, in my book anyone who travels from Oban to play at Forthill deserves a mention.
Panmure consolidated the second half, with tries by Gordon Gray (mazy run), Matthew Fairly (direct run) and Duncan Lindsay (as little running as possible!).
As the home side took their foot off the pedal Montrose ran in two tries. Gordon Melville's first conversion kick came back off the post otherwise he would have had a 100 per cent record on the day.
P.S. Guess which former Panmure stalwart will be stripped and ready for the clash with Blairgowrie this week? Only one way to find out - and the kick off is at 3pm.
Panmure 0 - 47 Madras FP 01. Mar 2008
In this friendly of four 20 minute sessions, Madras ran in seven tries and converted six of them. Panmure didn't.
Panmure 5 - 17 Perthshire 2nd XV 23. Feb 2008
The visitors opened scoring before the crowd was even in the ground - at Croke Park ! ! And they were soon Dublin their try count as Panmure conceded a second, unconverted this time.
Nearest Pannie came to scoring in the first half was a narrowly missed penalty.
There was a risk of floodgates opening when strong-running Perthshire went over a third time, but the maroons stuck manfully to their task. They were rewarded when Russell scored in the corner after some slick passing.
Stobswell 17 - 21 Panmure 16. Feb 2008
Panmure were made to word hard for their win in this hastily-arranged friendly. Playing uphill and into a blinding sun, they conceded a converted try and a penalty in the first half, without reply.
Different story after the break. Terrific Pannie drive saw Duncan Lindsay cross the line and Gordon Melville converted from out wide.
Rhys Martinson's purposeful run forced Stobbie into conceding a penalty which led to Dave D'Ambrosio notching the second try and Gordon did the needful. The same duo saw Panmure stretch their lead to 21 - 10.
Stobbie finished strongly, almost camped on the Panmure line for the last five minutes. The maroons looked to have weathered the storm until a careless clearance kick let the home side run in a last-gasp try. The converted kick was the last action of the game.
A word of praise for the referee who put in a faultless performance. Surely this young man is destined for great things (Pint of 80 Shilling for me please, Gary!)
Panmure 22 - 7 Atholl Highlanders 09. Feb 2008
The deadlock was broken in 17 minutes when Matthew Fairley jouked past the Highlanders defence for the first try - the famous jouk of Atholl! Gordon Melville was unlucky to see his kick come back off the post.
Mike Walton performed a saint-to-sinner act with a good try followed by a visit to the sin-bin; so Pannie led 10–0 at half-time.
Rob Produm forced himself over the corner for try No. 3 and Gordon added the extra points.
Dave D’Ambrosio put the maroons out of sight when he plunged after a quickly taken penalty.
At the death, and with Gordon Gray in the bin for sinners, Atholl scored arguably the best try of the game. Since it was scored under the posts, the conversion was a formality - Panmure try scorers please note!
Panmure 22 - 21 Harris 26. Jan 2008
As close as we were to Burns Night, it was only to be expected that there was nothing cow’rin or tim’rous about the Panmure performance.
Their late, late show certainly caused panic in the Harris breastie!
Good work by the forwards saw Gordon Melville go over for the first try in 20 minutes. It was unlucky to see his kick come back off the post.
Sadly, the lead didn’t last long. The F.P’s were awarded a penalty try and took full advantage.
Their second followed soon after, scored by the lanky Elliot Rhode. Converted.
Things looked bleak when Harris potched a third try, also converted, in the second half, but a glimmer of hope came when prolific try-scorer James Davie pulled one back, which Gordon converted.
It was a sobering experience for Harris when Mike Walton scored in the corner - come to think of it, it was a sobering experience for Mike as well!
When an attempted clearance was charged down by Martin and Gordon scored to give Panmure a 22-21 lead, it set up a nail-biting finish - especially as Harris missed two penalties in the closing minutes.
So it was upstairs to get fou and unco happy !
Brian Wilson
PS Apologies for no match report of the game against Fife Southern. No-one who was there could spell Rozithe. Since it was an away game, you would expect Panmure to lose. You’d be right --- by 29-6.
Panmure 15 - Carnoustie 5 29. Dec 2007
A makeshift Pamure side did the Club proud by retaining the ‘Playfull Trophy’.
The maroons took the lead on the stroke of half time when Matthew Fairlie scored under the posts after the best flick pass of the season by James Millar (Gospel according to St. James ) Conversion came back off the post.
Mark Lawrie slotted a penalty before Bucket and Soupy worked a quick penalty and put Dave D’Ambrosio over for a converted try.
Second half highlights were a decent Carnoustie try and some unseemly scrapping - most unusual for this Fixture !
Special mention to Stuart Barlow who came in at the last minute and had an impressive game for Panmure (Baz - tell your Dad I was asking kindly for him and I hope Santa brought him a backhand ! ! ! )
Panmure 26 - 28 Howe of Fife 15. Dec 2007
Close - run friendly that went right to the wire. Howe took a 7 - 0 lead after 10 minutes, but great Panmure handling gave Martin Lawrie the opening for a chip and chase of which he took full advantage. Arguably the best home try of the season and Gordon Melville kicked the conversion.
Then christmas came early as Pannie gifted Prancer and Dancer two tries. Donner and Blitzen - where was the defensive cover? Both tries were converted.
Just after half time Ian Coull's quick thinking from a penalty caught Howe napping and he narrowed the gap to 21 - 12. A second try from Martin and a good kick from Gordon made it even closer, but at this stage a reluctancy to pass at the right time cost Panmure points. Still, it seemed that wouldn't matter when the strength of Coullie's running presented John Thomson with an easy touch - down which was duly converted for a 26 - 21 home lead.
Then right at the death Howe's persistance was rewarded with a try in front of the posts. The kick was just a formality.
So defeat was snatched from the jaws of victory. Don't ask why - ask Howe!
Seasons greetings to all of you out there from everyone at forthill.
Panmure 73 - 0 Stobswell 01. Dec 2007
Yes, I know the referee had it as 76-0 and consequently that’s what went to print. But, let’s consider the try count step by step.
1. Good run by Gordon Gray sent Craig Cuthbert over in the corner. Gordon converted a beauty
2. Snipping run saw Matthew Fairlie score the second – unconverted
3. Great chasing and considerable soccer skill saw Mike Walton go over. No luck with the kick.
4. Skipper Cameron Crombie waltzed half the length of the park to touch down under the posts. Easy for Gordon to kick.
5. Impressive Davie McFarlane break put Duncan Lindsay over. Converted.
6. Clever Crombie chip was latched on to by Craig for his second. Converted
7. Quick – thinking by Rob Produm and he charged over. Converted
8. Scrum-half Martin Lawrie got in on the act. Converted
9. Second try for Matthew after a lung-bursting run. Converted.
10. Second from Duncan. Converted
11. Rob made the last one easy for Craig’s hat-trick of tries. Converted
So, by my reckoning, that’s 11 tries (55 points) plus 9 conversions (18 points) for a total of 73. The defence rests !
There was a considerable delay while an ambulance was called for a Stobbie player with a back injury. We wish Tim Fuller a complete and full recovery.
Panmure finished the first half of the league season well up the table. They hope to continue playing friendlies over the Christmas break, starting this week with a trip to Edinburgh Accies. Watch this space for further details.
PS I have been taken to task for the over-use of nicknames in match reports. For everyone’s benefit, here is a glossary of terms –
SPOON is CAMERON CROMBIE
BUCKET is DUNCAN LINDSAY
CHEWY is RICHARD McGOVERN
FASTY is CRAIG CUTHBERT
GORDY is GORDON MELVILLE
GOGS is GORDON GRAY
SOUPIE is SOUP SPOON
SOUPSPOON is COLIN ERSKINE
J. T. is JOHN THOMSON
ALLY CROZIER is ALISATIR CROZIER
Montrose 12 - 5 Panmure 24. Nov 2007
Very much a case of what might have been.
Losing a converted try in the first half was bad enough. Losing Chris Hail with a broken wrist was far worse.
There was light at the end of the tunnel when Simon Heron went over for Pannie (for all you old buffties out there the answer is Yes - Simon IS the son of Sam!). But it was early dark after the home side notched their second try.
It was against the run of play as Panmure had been camped close to the Montrose line for long spells.
Rest assured it will be business as usual when Stobbie come calling on Saturday.
Panmure 43 - 0 Arbroath 17. Nov 2007
A good day at the office - arguably the best performance of the season.
Dave made the breakthrough in just 7 minutes with a strong break and a flip to Fasty who went over for a try duly converted by Gordon. Ally Crozier, mentioned in the Courier the same morning for his role as a judge in a photographic competition, was prominent as he snapped at the heels of the Arbroath defence. Although nothing developed, it wasn’t negative elsewhere around the pitch.
Some of the passing was a joy to behold - and to be held ! Great handling by Fasty and Coullie put Bucket in for try No. 2. Also converted.
Jinking run and score from Gordon Gray set the tone for the second half. Gordon kicked a beauty for the extra points.
Then Bucket plunges over in front of an appreciative posse of past players who had enjoyed a glass of lunch!
Gogs and Coullie added two more tries then Fasty went from Sinner (he’d been binned for two high tackles) to Saint to round off a splendid afternoon’s work. Mr. Melville again obliged with the conversion.
Blairgowrie 20 - 0 Panmure 10. Nov 2007
J.J. Coupar Recreation Park holds happy memories for me. ' Twas there, back in the mists of time, that I claimed the wicket of an Indian Test batsman (Its a long story for another time).
No such happy memories on the occasion.
For once I took the proper turning into the ground thanks to the President's sat-nav system. It was the players who seemed to lose their way.
Blair's first try came in 15 minutes after a suspiciously - looking forward pass. Nothing much else of note execept that the referee went off for a pea - for his whistle that is.
Blair try and penalty (for what?) made it 13 - 0 at half time.
Despite the fact it was the day before Rememberance Sunday, for the most part the second half was Forgettable Saturday. Converted try for the home side ended the scoring. Strange that so many Panmure players looked so uncertain at times - as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs!
Let's hope normal service will be resumed against Arbroath at Forthill. I'm sure it will.
P.S. Apologies to Parky for not crediting him with his vital score for the 2nd XV the previous week.
Panmure 91 - 5 Strathspey 03. Nov 2007
Being as close as we were to the 5th of November we expected Fireworks - and we weren’t disappointed.
Gordon Gray lit the blue touch paper with the first try in 12 minutes, Captain Crombie went like a rocket for the second and some of the other scores were real sparklers. They came from all directions - Rhys, Spoon, farmer Martin, Chris, Gordon. Half-time score was 43 – 0.
One-way traffic again in the second half as Strathspey went reeling. The tries came thick and fast - a bit like some of the scorers come to think of it!
Rhys, Grant, Spoon, Gordon all went over at least once. Chris definitely scored his second – Hail, Hail!
Somewhere along the way some numpty let the Kingussie lads in for a try.
Over the 90 minutes you’ll have worked out that Messrs Crombie and Melville kicked a few points. When he handed over a plaque to mark the first fixture between the two sides, the Strathspey captain graciously conceded that Pannie were the best organised team he’d come across this season. And no - it wasn’t the first game.
PS Great to see a 2nd XV in action. Sterling performance although they went down 43-15 to the Medics. Try scorers were James Millar and Fasty. James kicked the points.
PPS Your eyes didn’t deceive you - it WAS Frank Niven dashing about the pitch !
Carnoustie 10 - 9 Panmure 20. Oct 2007
There's nothing like a good rugby match on a decent autumn afternoon - and this was nothing like a good rugby match on a decent autumn afternoon.
It was a strangely subdued Panmure who never really got into their stride.
Home side opened the scoring after 29 minutes after a Crombie clearance was charged down. Pannie defenders handled the ball like a hot potato so it was perhaps appropriate that someone called 'Spud' got the touch-down which was duly converted.
Gordon Melville kicked two penalties to make the half-time score 7-6.
A Carnoustie penalty kick increased their lead then there was an exchange of missed penalties before Gordon kicked a beauty to narrow the gap.
Then when it was needed, where was the Panmure passion, the aggression? Sadly lacking.
The referee used the word ''Guys'' 117 times - yes, it was the kind of game where you noticed that sort of thing!
Next League game is at Forthill on November 3rd. Let's have a fling and send Strathspey reeling!
Panmure 100 - 0 Bannockburn 13. Oct 2007
Jolly decent of the authorities to hold the England - France kick-off back to 8pm so as not to clash with this game.
We can only assume Bannockburn were badly hit by call-offs and injuries so give them credit for fulfilling the fixture. The were certainly hit by a 16-try blitz.
Dave D'Ambrosio set the pattern with the first try in just 7 minutes after a powerful Pannie drive. Gordon converted. The other first half try scorers were Fasty (2), Spoon and Rhys. Work out for yourself how many were converted because the half-time score was 31-0.
Strangely enough it hadn't all been one-way traffic. Ally and Dave McFarlane put in some useful tackles. Robert the Bruce's main tactic at Bannockburn was to keep his lines unbroken. Fitting then that Pannie should adopt a similar strategy AGAINST Bannockburn!
Floodgates opened in the second half with just about everyone apart from Freda and Gillian getting in on the act.
Spoon, J.T, Soupie, Spoon again, Ian Fyffe, Fasty, Spoon again, Fasty, Dave D'Am and Gordon Gray all went over. Between them, Gordy and Spoon converted a puckle.
Biggest cheer of the afternoon was reserved for the solo try by Chewy. He lumber....sorry, galloped over from all of 30 metres.
P.S. Mr Duncan Lindsay and myself have noted the e-mailed comments of a Mr Bruce Gillanders who apparently played for Panmure after the end of the Second World War. He will, in due course, be hearing from our solicitors - Sue, Grabbit and Runne.
If any other old buffties (and they don't come any older!) would like to get in touch by e-mail we'd be delighted to hear from them. The address is - info@panmurerugby.co.uk
Harris Academy 8 - 13 Panmure 29. Sept 2007
This was an interesting fixture for Panmure. It was difficult for them to tell who they were playing, such was the invasion of players to Harris from Stobswell and DHS.
However on a cold Autumnal day at Elliot Road it was nice to see a good crowd out to witness an end to end game spoiled by an incompetent referee.
The Panmure captain Crombie complained that the pitch was too wide, he could not kick from the middle of the field to the touchline. Showing no sympathy the referee started the game.
Panmure opened the scoring early on with a try from a driving maul. They won good line out ball and drove on from 10 metres. Soupy touching down in the tram lines out left.
Gordon Melville missed the conversion because he had the wrong tee. I think he used Earl Grey instead of Darjeeling. However during a forage up field Panny were awarded a penalty for offside - Melville using the correct infusion this time and converted his attempt.
It was all Panmure at this point. Certain players stood out. Chewy's mobility made him look like the Scott Fyfe roundabout. However a handling error then series of missed tackles let a little fat Harris guy run in from 50 metres to score . They missed the conversion.
A further penalty was scored by Harris to tie the scores at half time.
H.T:- 8 : 8
In the second half Dundee HS "legend" came on for Harris to a ripple of derision from the Panny faithful. He was quick to make his mark tackling Soupy the Panmure scrum half.. Unfortunately Soupy was nowhere near the ball. The cheap shot went un-noticed by the referee but effectively meant the scrum half limped through the rest of the game.
The game degenerated for a while because the players could not understand the referees decisions or signals. This resulted on Snake and Bucket playing patty-cake in the middle of the field.
This less than violent exchange resulted in the referee giving the Harris Captain Yeaman a severe listening too ….
The breakthrough for Panmure came with about 15 minute to go. They had been pounding the Harris defence mercilessly when Derek Clark took a quick penalty, picked out the worst Harris tackler on the field and scored a memorable winner. Unfortunately Melville's teabag was burst by then
Full time :- 8 : 13 (Written by David Melville)
Panmure 29 - 5 Fife Southern 22. Sept 2007
Before the biggest crowd of the season (so far), Panmure opened the scoring in just 4 minutes when Soupspoon went over in the corner and Gordon converted superbly. Second try came 10 minutes later - a Crombie break and a classic dummy.
Fife hit back with an unconverted try but were stunned when moments later Pannie were awared a penalty close to the visitors' line. Big Rob took a quick tap and breenged over.
John Norrie put in a try-scoring tackle to keep the fifers out just after half time.
Pannie went further ahead after a move involving Davie McFarlane and he of the flowing locks. J.T. galloped clear and while at first it looked like he was heading for the Michelin wind turbines, he did eventually touch down under the posts. Gordy added the extra 2 points.
Best passing move of the game saw Gordon Melville score in the corner and leave Fife suffering.
P.S. Any time you're feeling low and need cheering up with a good laugh, just think back to Bucket's attempted drop goal. Grubber kick my a***!!
Panmure 31 - 29 Perthshire 2nd XV 15. Sept 2007
And you thought Scotland's win in Paris was the best result of the week! Since this was a friendlly, Pannie used more subs than the German navy - and there were some heartening performances.
After some good work by Soup, skipper Cameron Crombie waltzed over for the first try. Gordon Melville converted.
Second try came after a good Chewy take in the line-out. Mike Walton was unlucky to be held up but the ball was worked out wide for Gordy M. to get the touch-down.
Dave D'Ambrosio claimed the 3rd after a good break by Mike and J.T.
Sloppy tackling after the break let 'Shire in for a try and they notched a second soon after. Game on!
But then the old war horse (yes, that's you Bucket) chipped in with two tries and although Perthshire closed the gap again, Pannie held on.
Worth noting that Gordy charged down 'Shires second attempted conversion. Didn't seem crucial at the time but look at that final score-line again.
P.S. The referee displayed total inpartiality - apart from wearing Panmure socks and a tendency to say ''Well played son!'' every now and again.
Atholl Highlanders 24 - 11 Panmure 08. Sept 2007
Lets toast the new season with some Atholl prose! If you read the score in the Sunday Herald, heres the bad news - they got it the wrong way round. Panmure lost to the Atholl Highlanders by 24 - 11.
The rummel by the tummel started promisingly when the men in maroon crossed their opponents' line first. Scorer was Duncan Lindsay, the Peter Pan of Panmure. Bucket once again defied any suggestion thet he's a pail shadow of the player he once was!
Sadly, the only other scores to Panmure's credit were two penalties from Gordon Melville.
On the plus side they can claim spells of intense pressure and two disallowed ''tries''. Unfortunately the opposition's tries WERE allowed as the Atholl men Duked past the maroon defence - Atholl men with fine Highland names like Joel Boojels and Martainn Hansson.
Panmure will improve. More players training might help.
P.S. Organisers of the Pitlochry Highland Games were disappointed that the match wasn't played at the Recreation Ground. They'd hoped to get some volunteers for the Caber event when they heard Panmure had a few spare tossers!