Match Reports
Saturday 26th September - Howe v Morgan Academy FP
Howe of Fife entertained Morgan Academy FP at Duffus Park on Saturday for the first competitive match in some years. The pair have been old foes for some time, and although recent pre-season matches had seen the Fifers come out on top, Howe knew this local derby would be a tricky affair.
Howe lined up with the same forward pack that took to the field in Garnock the previous weekend, with the Henderson’s propping, Josh Fox Clark at hooker and Meiklem and Steedman completing the front five. Wilson, Mason and Dow continued to operate in the back-row.
Midweek illness forced changes to the half back pairing, where Lathangie was feeding Fraser Clark, deputising for Ross Aitken at standoff . Jack and Wardlaw were the centres, flanked on by McLean and Johncock. Matt Daly started the game at full-back, with Iain Aitken dropping to the bench. Aitken was joined by Player, Keeble and Alexander.
Howe received the kick-off heading towards the cricket pitch, and the weather was perfect for an afternoon of running rugby. The start was far from perfect from the Howe team though, as within two minutes they were a try down. Poor discipline and even poorer tackling allowed Morgan to work their way into the Howe twenty-two, where they got their pick-and-go game going. After sucking in Howe’s defence they shifted the ball left, where their hooker found enough space to barge over.
Howe responded immediately and with ball in hand played their own brand of rugby, working their way up to the opposition twenty two. Strong work by forwards and backs alike saw Josh Fox Clark go over for his first try of the season. Fraser Clark missed with the conversion, but after only five minutes, the scores were tied at five a piece.
The gridlock did not last long however, as Howe’s ill discipline, and the accurate boot of Morgan centre Kiddie saw them camped just on the Howe twenty-two. A well executed lineout move saw South African number eight Van Nie Kirk peel round the front at pace, smashing through the Johncock to go over in the corner. Again the conversion was missed, but Morgan looked to be too strong in the forwards for the smaller Howe pack. This feeling was compounded minutes later when the bustling Morgan centre burst through some weak tackles to put his stand-off in under the posts. No mistake with the conversion this time and Howe found themselves 17-5 down after only fifteen minutes.
Where a lot of teams would buckle under this pressure, Howe began to pick up their game, and this was evident when the ball was worked right to Johncock, who showed a fine mix of pace and power to go over for a try. The tricky touch line conversion proved too much for Clark, despite a valiant effort.
Howe got on the score sheet ten minutes later, where a pre-planned move saw Wardlaw burst through the centre, who then floated a fifteen metre pass out to McLean who cantered into the right corner; same outcome for the conversion.
The half saw no more scoring, though Wardlaw did have to leave the field injured, allowing Alexander to take up his berth in the centre. At 17-15 down, the Howe players and coaches knew they had to raise their game and rely on their fitness to pull them through. Howe’s defence so far this season has been like the curate’s egg, and it was imperative they made telling tackles on their larger opponents.
It took fifteen mintues for the second half to produce a score, with Johncock going over for his second. Morgan’s left winger had been sin-binned for a dangerous tackle, and Howe exploited this overlap, giving Johncock a run in to the line. Again the conversion was missed.
After this promising start things went amiss for Howe, with too many infringements at the breakdown giving Morgan favourable field position. Eventually Morgan converted their chances, with Kiddie slotting a penalty to tie the scores at twenty a piece.
This was the last time Morgan were to get on the score sheet however, as Howe’s superior fitness began to tell. Constant movement of the ball and slick handling saw Howe make inroads, and after several scorned chances, Johncock was out away for his third of the day. This was followed soon after by Lathangie crossing just left of the uprights for his first try of the season. Iain Aitken slotted the conversion which marked the end of the game, and a victory for Howe of Fife, 32-20.
For periods of the game Howe showed themselves and the large crowd in attendance the quality of rugby they are capable of playing, but are too often leaking soft tries. The defensive effort in the second half was a marked improvement, with Morgan only managing three points.
This game was another strong platform for the Howe to build on. With Mason dominating the lineout, the forwards winning turnover ball and a backline capable of scoring tries from anywhere, it is only a matter of time before the Howe put in a performance for eighty minutes, and a team are really put to the sword.
Saturday 19th September - Howe v Garnock
Howe visited Garnock in Ayrshire on Saturday looking for their third win in Premier Three. After strong home wins against Perthshire and Musselburgh, Howe were looking to recapture some Away form after losing to Hillhead Jordanhill in the second game of the season.
Josh Fox Clark started the game at hooker; being propped on either side by Henderson’s senior and junior. Graeme Steedman was one half of the second row, joined by Peter Meiklem, who has returned to the club after several seasons with Glasgow Academicals. The back row took on a familiar look, with Messrs Mason and Wilson joined by young Conor Dow.
Stewart Lathangie and Ross Aitken were the half backs, in the centre Will Wardlaw was partnered by Euan Alexander as skipper Ewan Jack was held up in Glasgow traffic. The back three were Mclean, Aitken and Johncock, who is returning to the Howe after a season with Aberdeen University. Player, Keeble and Daly made up the bench.
The Lochshore pitch was in surprisingly good condition, and Howe received the kick off heading uphill towards the “Pavilion”. As was expected, Garnock had a heavy, experienced pack and were only too willing to keep the ball in tight. Howe defended for the majority of the first quarter, with occasional forays into the opposition 22 being thwarted by our own eagerness and desperation to score.
Eventually the gridlock was broken when the talented Garnock scrumhalf kicked through and a fortuitous bounce confused Howe allowing the Garnock winger to touch, although there was a strong feeling the ball was grounded well short of the line. Garnock appeared to be the in the ascendancy and piled on the pressure with two penalty kicks, taking the score to 11-0.
The late captain Jack replaced Alexander after thirty minutes with Howe knowing they had to score before halftime. After some trademark passing and interplay down the right flank by forwards and backs alike, the ball was set up in the twenty two, play was moved left, and Wardlaw ignored a huge overlap to barge over. Iain Aitken converted. The half finished without further scoring, and the Howe went in to the turn around 11-7 down.
Howe made one change at half time, with Steven Player replacing the elder Henderson at prop. Playing down the hill Howe knew exactly what to expect, as Garnock battened down the hatches and prepared to defend their slender lead. What followed was some fairly uninspiring, negative rugby, as Garnock continuously attacked the fringes. Despite having some talented backs, Garnock never put the ball passed their stand-off, and the Howe forwards were only too happy to knock their heavier opposition back into the breakdown. Notable hits came from Player, Meiklem and Fox Clark, whilst the back row and Steedman continued to do a power of work.
As Howe soaked up the pressure they made two changes, with Daly coming on at full back, and young Matthew Keeble making his first competitive appearance at Hooker.
As Howe absorbed everything thrown at them the Garnock team began to tire, and Howe were in the ascendancy. After more good interplay from backs and forwards, and several missed chances, the ball was worked left, just inside the opposition half, where Jack drew the defence and put an inside ball to McLean who duly ran it in for his seventh try of the season. Aitken missed the conversion, but Howe now had a 12-11 lead going into the final 10 minutes. What followed was a game of aerial ping-pong, as Howe kicked Garnock back into their half, and Garnock tried to kick possession back up towards the Howe end.
More good play and strong defence saw Howe break into the Garnock twenty two, where strong forward driving set up good field position. The ball was then recycled right were Will Wardlaw put McLean away for a try he could easily have score himself. Aitken narrowly missed the conversion from out wide, and the referee blew for fulltime, with the Howe winning 17-11.
For those that had been to Garnock before it was exactly what they had expected, with a heavy forward pack trying to slow the ball down in the Ayrshire mud, but for the first time Howe came away with the win. All nineteen players put in a huge shift, and it is encouraging to see a somewhat light weight Howe side grind out these games of attrition, getting their campaign back on track in the process.
Saturday 4th October - Edinburgh Uni. 19 v 31 Howe
It was another trip to Edinburgh last Saturday for the Howe & a visit to Peffermill to face Edinburgh University. The students were likely to be at full strength with everyone back in the capital & nothing was being taken for granted by the team or their coaches.
Iain Aitken, Imrie & Drummond made up the back three. Wardlaw & Jack were the centres & Ross Aitken & Lathangie the usual hinge at halfback. Player & McNab were joined by Lorimer in the front row while Smith joined Steedman in the boilerhouse due to Turpie’s injury absence. The breakaway unit of Fedo, Wilson & Mason were unchanged once again. Vice-Captain Pete Black was fit again and started on the bench with Fox-Clarke & McLean.
A strong band of Howe supporters were in evidence as the match kicked off with a strong & gusting wind blowing across the pitch. They soon had something to cheer about as after recycling work on the halfway the ball was released to Fedo who took of on what is becoming a trademark storming run beating the first tacklers and heading for the posts. He committed the last of the defence before offloading to Smith who, having supported well, crashed over for the opening score after only a minute and forty seconds. Iain Aitken goaled the extras for a 7-0 lead.
If Howe thought it was going to be easy the Students had other ideas & after some good possession was retained in a series of short drives they forced their way over for a converted score after 16 minutes. Some good attacking effort was made by both sides with Imrie having some strong runs down his wing but either good defence or the lack of support in numbers prevented any addition to the scoreline. It was the student’s who got the next points when Iain Aitken, attempting a breakout from his own 22M tried a chip ahead only for the opposition right winger to pluck it out of the air & run through unopposed for a score under the posts that was easily converted for a 14-7 lead to the Uni after 24 minutes.
This spurred the Howe on however, and only 9 minutes later, after good work by backs & forwards alike, they took up position in the opposition 22m and after a series of pick & drives it was Fedo who made it over the whitewash. The try went unconverted but it took only another 4 minutes for strong running down the right & good work by Ross Aitken finding space & then Wardlaw in support for the young centre to in for a well crafted score and the bonus point try. Iain Aitken kicked the conversion to give Howe a 26-14 lead that they took through to the half time whistle.
The Edinburgh forwards were competing well at the set pieces & breakdown, aided by, to Howe eyes at least, some dubious refereeing of the tackle situation. Their backs were willing to run it back at the Howe and there was no mistaking the Cupar lads had a game on their hands. They were not helping their cause by giving away far to many penalties & if not for the gusting wind the University kicker might have made the scoreline even closer
The Coaches decided some fresh legs & a tad more experience might be usefull so Black, Fox-Clark & McLean replaced Smith, McNab & Drummond respectively as the second half kicked off.
It was end to end rugby with some excellent kicking from hand from both stand offs, strong running out of defence by both sides and a high commitment level in defence seeing the half run for 15 odd minutes without any change to the scoreboard. Then some good ball retention by the Students forwards saw them drive over for an unconverted try & a 26 – 19 scoreline in Howes favour.
Fedo then made his presence felt again when, after a well executed line out drive & good work from Lorimer, he was on hand to take the ball over for his second & Howe’s fifth try of the day. Aitken couldn’t add the extra’s this time but Howe were 31 -19 up with 18 minutes left on the clock.
The students refused to lie down though & some good defensive work was needed to hold them out until the no-side whistle went.
A 31-19 win then and another bonus point secured away from home but Howe had had to work hard for the victory & the University side looked more than capable of causing problems for other sides in the League. But Howe stay top of the table after 6 games played with 29 points from a possible 30.
Other results saw Dalziel beat Dumfries to replace the Park Farm side in second place. With the Hiddleston brothers & others off on a round the world jaunt the Dumfries lads may find it hard going forward.
This Saturday sees Howe off on their travels again with a visit to East Kilbride on the cards. Support would be welcome at what can be a difficult venue & spaces will be available on the Team bus leaving the Clubhouse on Saturday morning. See Club Noticeboard for details.
Performance Points – 3 Fedo, 2 Imrie, 1 Player. Hit of The Day – Wilson.
Saturday 27th September - Howe v Dumfries
Howe’s 2008/2009 League campaign faced, on paper, it’s toughest challenge to date with the visit of Dumfries Saints to Duffus Park last Saturday. The Park Farm men were the other side promoted to National 1 last season and were breathing down the Howe necks in the current campaign with only points difference giving the Howe the edge at the top of the table. Howe would be thinking back to last years comfortable win at Duffus while the Saints would be looking for inspiration & perhaps a bit of revenge for their narrow loss in Dumfries when only a last minute penalty try garnered a 7-5 victory for the Howe.
Henderson Senior had declared himself fit & took up station in the front row with McNab & Player, the back five of Steedman, Turpie, Fedo, Wilson & Mason were unchanged. The only change in the backline saw Messrs Imrie & McLean swap places with Imrie taking station on the right wing & McLean joining Lorimer & Fox-Clark on the bench. Lathangie & Ross Aitken at halfback, Jack & Wardlaw in the Centre, Drummond on the left & Iain Aitken at Full Back completed the starting line-up for Howe. Interestingly Dumfries were also fielding brothers at 10 & 15 with Tom & Sam Hiddleston taking the field.
Conditions were dry but with a gusty wind blowing crossfield from the stand side as Howe received the kick off playing toward the cricket pitch end. Good work by the forwards allowed clean delivery to Ross Aitken who cleared deep into the Dumfries 22. Fullback Sam Hiddleston could only reach the Howe 10 metre line with his return effort, where the ball was caught cleanly by Iain Aitken before being moved swiftly to the right were Imrie came onto the ball at pace. Strong running & determination from the winger saw him beat a total of six attempted tackles before grounding in the corner after only a minute & a half of play. Iain Aitken was unable to make the kick but Howe had an early start.
It took only another 5 minutes for them to increase the lead when Jack made a strong tackle in the centre leading to turnover ball, Mason made some hard yards up the middle before Lathangie broke right from the base. His chip to space came of a Dumfries hand and was beautifully picked up by Iain Aitken who proceeded to sell a couple of outrageous dummies before going in under the posts. He had no trouble adding the extras for a 12-0 lead.
More was to come 3 minutes later when a slack Dumfries pass was nicked by Imrie, quick hands to Jack who then stood up the defence & released Wardlaw on the loop. A nice half break & pass out of contact from the youngster saw Iain Aitken again run a good line into space. A cut inside committed the fullback & a nicely timed pass gave Fedo the reward for more good support running & Howe’s third try. Iain again converted for a 19-0 lead.
Dumfries were looking a bit shell-shocked and worse was to come for the Saints & their supporters. Mason linked to Lathangie off the back of a scrum, a nice kick into space and a Dumfries fumble saw Iain Aitken pick & feed Imrie who took off down his wing. Two tacklers brought him down just short & with the Howe support arriving in waves only the referee’s whistle for “holding on in the tackle” gave Dumfries respite. This was short lived as their penalty clearance failed to find touch & was instead gathered by Ross Aitken on the Howe 22. He made ground up the middle before linking with Wardlaw who committed tacklers before releasing to McNab, a pass out of contact found Ross Aitken involved again before good hands allowed Jack to release Drummond down the left wing. The big winger broke through his opposite number & fed Jack, who had looped round in support, who beat the despairing defence to go over for the bonus point try after only 12 minutes of play. The difficult attempt for the extras went wide but Howe were 24-0 up, with the try-bonus in the bag already.
After such a magical spell it was always likely that the foot might “come of the gas” and Dumfries managed to get their side of the scoreboard moving with an unconverted try 18 minutes into the game. Hiddleston put up a big kick from 10, a miss-field & some good pressure saw a couple of fly hacks allow the Dumfries winger to ground for a score despite, to some eyes, him looking decidedly offside.
The Saints then threatened to get back in the game when after a dubious offside call at a scrum Dumfries stand-off Hiddleston took a quick tap & broke through a couple of despairing tackles to ground under the posts & convert. 26 minutes gone and 24-12 in Howe’s favour and despite the efforts of both side that was how things stood at half time.
It took only 5 minutes of the second half for Howe to get back in their stride, the forwards started things with some good close quarter work on the left touchline to set up good quick ball. Swift hands saw Imrie take off down the right wing, yet again, only to be stopped yards short. Good re-cycling allowed the ball to flow through six pairs of hands all the way out to the left wing again where Drummond crashed over for the score which went unconverted.
Howe continued to exert pressure & more good driving work by the forwards & quick hands by the backs saw Imrie make another telling run into the Dumfries danger zone. A good pass out of the tackle & excellent support running by Aitken the elder saw Iain in at the right corner for his second & Howe’s sixth of the day which again went unconverted.
Dumfries were trying hard to make a further impact but faced a resolute home defence who refused to give any more away. They continued to turnover ball which was then run back hard at the Dumfries line were only an equally plucky defence kept Howe at bay. Then with 9 minutes left on the clock a slack Dumfries clearance was picked up on half way by McLean, who had replaced Imrie, he took off at pace down the touchline taking out two men before offloading well in the tackle. Some slick inter-passing allowed the attack to continue before the ball was released from a ruck & McLean, filling in at scrum half, made a good pass out to Wardlaw who found Ross Aitken in midfield. Faced with a blitz style defence he cleverly chipped left where No. 8 Mason, with a lovely bit of skill, flicked the ball on to Fedo who went over unopposed for his second.
Dumfries refused to lie down even at this late stage and in the dying minutes were on the attack when a dropped pass in the Howe 22 allowed Ross Aitken to pick up, drive forward & break a couple of tackles before pooping it off the floor to the supporting Mason. He charged on almost to the Dumfries 22m, committing the remaining defence in the process, before delivering a lovely pass out of contact to a rampaging Fedo who charged home for his hat-trick & Howe’s eighth try of the day.
Howe had sent a strong message to the rest of the League with this victory & no one can now be relishing a trip to Duffus Park on League business. This Saturday will see the Howe lads & supporters make the trip to Peffermill in Edinburgh to take on Edinburgh University who are always a bit of an unknown quantity at this stage of the season. They have already ground out some good wins & will be strengthened by the return of the majority of the students over the past two weeks. Howe will need to be on their guard!
Highlights of the Dumfries game can be viewed on Scottish Rugby TV’s website at www.scottishrugbytv.com or on http://uk.youtube.com/user/Alistair1951
Coaches’ Player Points – 3 C Mason, 2 T Turpie, 1 M Fedo.
Hit of the Day – Girvin Imrie
Saturday 20th September - Murrayfield Wanderers v Howe
Howe were back on the road this week and with the back pitches at Murrayfield under re-construction the home team were living up to the Wanderers part of their title & hosting the game at Inverleith Park in Edinburgh.
There were a few changes to the starting line up with McNab & Lorimer making their first starts of the season at Hooker & Tight-Head Prop respectively, Player made up the front row with Steedman & Turpie in the boiler house. The breakaway trio of Fedo, Wilson & Mason was unchanged as were the half-backs Lathangie & Ross Aitken. Wardlaw joined Captain Jack in the centre with the back three of Drummond, McLean & Iain Aitken completing the starting line up. Fox-Clark, Imrie and Grant Henderson, son of the injured Ralph, made up the bench.
Murrayfield were demoted last season but were something of an unknown quantity having recruited during the summer & benefiting from two Edinburgh pro’s as coaches in Simon Cross & Andrew Easson. This campaign had seen them win against East Kilbride in the opening fixture before losing 32-22 to Dumfries & 34-14 to Edinburgh University.
It was a soggy pitch at Inverleith and a threatening sky overhead as the game started when, after some forward exchanges, Howe took up position in the opposition 22. Good driving work & ball retention & presentation from the forwards saw McNab go over from close range for Howe’s first score after only 8minutes on the clock, Iain Aitken came up from Full-Back to make a good conversion from out on the right and Howe were 7-0 to the good. Some strong running from the backs with the younger Aitken, Ross, to the fore saw good link work send Wilson in only 5 minutes later. Iain again adding the extras for a 14-0 lead.
Murrayfield then upped their game a bit with their large pack of forwards trying to take a measure of control and some sturdy defensive work was required by forwards & backs alike to keep the Howe line intact. Despite some excellent running & some good flashes of continuity rugby which carried Howe back deep into opposition territory either the last pass would go astray or a good tackle would go in to prevent Howe adding to their tally. 14-0 to the visitors then at half time and while the coaches would no doubt be praising the contributions of McNab & Fedo in particular, up front there had been strong performances from Turpie & Lorimer as well. The Aitken brothers were going well and McLean & Drummond on the wings had made telling runs without reward.
It took only 8 minutes of the second half for Howe to get the scoreboard on the move again with Fedo coming on to a nicely weighted pass to burst through the centres for a score under the posts. Iain Aitken had no problem with the conversion and Howe were 21-0 up. It was 13 minutes later that the younger Aitken got the next points, and the all important bonus point try, finishing of a move that saw some excellent inter-passing & support work from backs & forwards alike. This time Ross converted his own try to take the score to 28-0. This roused Murrayfield to a further effort to get back into a match that was drifting away from them and 28 minutes into the half, and with a few uncharacteristic weak tackles in the centre, they broke through for a converted score and 28-7 on the board. The Howe Coaches had taken the chance to shuffle the back line around and Drummond then made a telling intrusion from his new station at full-back taking a short ball from Jack, who had given his usual sterling effort in the midfield, to burst through tackles and ground Howe’s fifth try of the day. Ross Aitken added the extra points for a 35-7 lead.
Only 4 minutes later and Imrie, on of the bench at half time, thought he better contribute. A superb challenge for a high ball, after a good kick chase, saw him take the ball out of the air, and the Murrayfield wingers hands, before taking off at top speed to beat a despairing defence and ground under the posts. Iain Aitken, now at 10 with brother Ross moving out to 12, converted again for a 42-7 advantage. There was still time for more when McLean finished off another good spell of play with a trademark finish down the wing, again converted by Iain Aitken to give a comfortable 49-0 final score in Howe’s favour.
There had been good performances throughout the team with the scrum solid throughout, both Lorimer & Henderson the younger standing up well at Prop, some excellent clearance work at the ruck with Turpie, Player & Steedman to the fore and the usual excellence at lineout from Mason & Wilson aided in no small measure by the throwing of both McNab & Fox-Clark. The Aitken boys grow in stature every week making telling contributions, not least with the boot, and strong running from Jack & Wardlaw enabled Imrie, Drummond & McLean to make telling intrusions from the wing berths. This is just as well as this Saturday will see the young Howe side’s stiffest test of the season so far when fellow table toppers Dumfries visit Duffus Park for a 3.00 Kick off. There is sure to be some hard fought & exciting rugby on display and a good crowd would surely be rewarded for its effort in attending.
Player Points – 3 M Fedo, 2 R Aitken, 1 C McNab. Hit of the Day – Darren Lorimer.
Success on the Road for Howe - 6/9/08
After last weeks season opener at Duffus, it was a trip westward for Howe this week and a visit to Cambuslang. While an unchanged team was selected, farming commitments meant Will Wardlaw had to stay at home, his place in the centre being taken by Girvin Imrie, returning from injury. James Smith joined McNab & Lorimer on the bench with the remaining starters being as the previous week. It only took 5 minutes for Imrie to make his mark when, after a home wing forward saw Yellow for deliberate infringement to stop a try, solid scrummage work by the forwards allowed him to hit a good angle to register his first points of the season. This was followed less than two minutes later by Howe’s second score after Wilson’s excellent return of the re-start & some slick inter-passing amongst the forwards allowed Fedo to burst clear and carry over the line. Neither score was converted but Howe were 0 – 10 up and ahead of the clock already.
If the travelling support were hoping for more of the same Cambuslang had something to say when, after some driving play from their pack, Howe conceded two penalties in almost as many minutes - both being converted by an in form kicker. After a bit of to-ing & fro-ing Howe incurred the wrath of the referee again and a third penalty was registered to bring the score back to 9 - 10 in Howe’s favour after 17 minutes played.
There followed a few minutes of stalemate in the middle of the park, with the Referee taking centre stage with his whistle & blowing for various offences that had both sets of coaches & supporters scratching their heads. This culminated in the second yellow card of the game, this time for Howe’s Steedman. It all looked fairly innocuous from the touchline but Mr Crozier had seen something no one else had and off Steedman went for a 10-minute break.
With 28 minutes gone Imrie got the scoreboard moving in Howe’s favour again when, after an excellent lineout steal of the oppositions throw by the forwards, the backs moved the ball quickly right to left for Imrie to slip through the tacklers to score. A quick drop goal conversion by the try scorer himself took the score to 9 – 17 in favour of the visitors. From the re-start the game got bogged down again in the middle of the park before yet another penalty, this one against Player for “in at the side”, gave Cambuslang the chance to close the gap to 12 – 17 before the half time whistle.
The biggest talking point on the touchline during the break was that the whistle appeared to be having the biggest influence on the game as, while neither team seemed to be deliberately infringing, the referee seemed to spot a lot that no one else, from either side, had.
Howe got things back on the right track only 4 minutes into the second period when excellent re-cycling work by Wilson allied to some crisp handling by the half backs saw Skipper Jack glide past the opposition centres for a finely taken try, Ross Aitken converted for a 12-24 advantage. Howe continued to press forward but an increasingly stop – start match prevented much of the continuity play that has been a feature of the season so far. However, after an errant kick out of defence by the homesters young Drummond, from his station on the left wing, decided to impact on the game with a wonderful jinking run beating or breaking increasingly desperate tackles for a solo effort of a try under the posts. Ross Aitken again nailed the conversion & Howe were 12 – 31 ahead with 20 minutes remaining. Despite all their further efforts the score was unchanged until, with only 3 minutes to go, some uncharacteristically slack defence off scrum ball allowed Cambuslang to stroll over on the left for an unconverted try and a final scoreline of 17 –31 in Howe’s favour. No doubt the coaches will be asking for the concentration level to be maintained to the end in matches, as this was the second week in a row Howe had gifted the opposition a score late on.
Overall though a satisfying win away from home with the all important try-bonus point secured. Howe will remain on top of the league after two games played & will look forward to the visit of Berwick to Duffus this coming Saturday. Kick –Off 3.00 PM & all supporters welcome.
Player Points v Cambuslang – 3-Mason, 2-Imrie, 1-Wilson. Coaches “Hit of the Day” – Imrie.
Saturdays team from;
Backs; Lathangie, Aitken, McLean, Wardlaw, Jack, Imrie, Aitken, Smith, Drummond, Daly.
Fwds; Player, McNab, Fox-Clark, Henderson, Lorimer, Steedman, Turpie, Fedo, Wilson, Mason.
Howe Pummell PL in First League Fixture
It was a good few years since Duffus Park last played host to Preston Lodge but they were the visitors for the opening game of Howe’s 2008/2009 campaign in National League Division 1. It was a humid but dry & windless afternoon at Duffus Park that saw a familiar front row formation of Player, Fox-Clark & Henderson take the field. They were joined by Steedman & Turpie, continuing his conversion from wing to lock, and a young but eager looking back row of Fedo, Wilson & Mason. Lathangie & Ross Aitken were the hinge with captain Jack & Wardlaw in the centre flanked by Drummond & McLean on the wings and Iain Aitken taking station at Full Back.
This was as young a Howe side as any fielded last year and only three of the backs were regular starters last year with the others all moving up from Colts. Preston Lodge were something of an unknown force but finished 6th in National 1 Last Year and won the Bowl Final at Murrayfield.
It took all of 2 minutes for Howe to get the scoreboard in action when, after fine work by the forwards, the ball was passed right & Iain Aitken straightened the line before giving a well timed pass to McLean who finished under the posts. Iain kicked the goal for a 7-0 lead. Some forward exchanges followed before, from a scrum, a nicely judged box-kick from Lathangie allowed Drummond to sprint clear of the cover for Howe’s second score, duly goaled by Ross Aitken, and a 14-0 lead after only 12 minutes played.
With the forwards secure on their own scrum ball a break blind & pass out of contact by Ross Aitken sent McLean over in the corner for his second of the day which was unconverted. Preston Lodge then got their account started with a Penalty for “off the feet at ruck” to give a 19 – 3 scoreline with 7 minutes left in the half. Still time for Drummond, not do be outdone by his fellow winger, to get his second & Howe’s 4th of the day after a quick tap penalty & pass out of contact by Iain Aitken. 24 – 3 then at half time and things were looking good for Howe with a try bonus point already in the bag
Things got even better a minute into the second half with Fedo benefiting from Mason’s break from lineout to bringe through untouched. McNab had replaced Fox-Clark at the break and helped Mason turnover ball in the middle, Mason broke right and good quick hands saw McLean clear for another try only 4 minutes later. Lorimer came off the bench to replace Turpie who had given a good account of himself in the close quarter stuff.
With the scrum solid, the lineout functioning well & the forwards, Messrs Wilson, Fedo & Mason in the fore, starting to dominate in the loose Howe’s backs started to run riot with McLean again finishing for his 4th of the day, after nice work by the Aitken brothers, this was closely followed by Drummond again after a solo run. Skipper Jack then got in on the act with a clean break through the middle before Wilson got one for the forwards after another Ross Aitken break and some great offloads by his forward support sent the open-side through between the posts. The coaches decided McLean best save something for later taking him off to allow another promising youngster, Fraser Clarke, time off the bench.
After an outbreak of “handbags at dawn” Mr Player & his opposite number both discovered the Referee had his cards with him and trudged off for a 10-minute break. This saw uncontested scrums as Preston Lodge seemed unable to field another prop, the period also saw one of Howe’s few defensive lapses allowing the Lodge to break through for a 69th minute try that went unconverted.
Normal service was resumed however when some nice footwork from the younger Aitken, Ross, saw him beat his man on the inside before leaving the covering full-back for dead and another score between the sticks. Drummond finished things off on the stroke of full time with his 4th & Howe’s 12th try of the day. With Iain Aitken superbly kicking the extras to all 8 second half tries Howe finished with a whopping 80 – 8 winning margin and a maximum 5 Point start to the season.
With some excellent Rugby being played by forwards & backs alike few will relish a visit to Duffus if this form can be maintained. The large crowd certainly voiced their enthusiasm both throughout the game & at “no-side” a fact appreciated by Players & Coaches alike. Hopefully more of the same will follow this coming Saturday with a visit to Cambuslang on the cards.
Seats available on the Bus (see notice in Clubhouse) and any travelling support would be welcomed by all concerned.
Howe Tame Morgan Menace
Howe of Fife’s 2008 warm up campaign concluded last Saturday with another game against Premier 3 opposition & a visit to Morgan Academy. After solid performances against Perthshire and Dunfermline in the preceding weeks both coaches & players felt this one would be another step up in intensity.
A reduced squad of 19 made the trip & Howe started with Player, Fox-Clark & Henderson in the front row. Steedman & Smith locked the scrum while last years Wilson & Mason, hardly oldsters, were joined by Scotland Under-18 player Michael Fedo to form a young but mobile back row. Lathangie was joined by another Scotland U-18 Ross Aitken to form the half back partnership with skipper Jack joined by Wardlaw in the centre with yet another promising youngster Clark joining McLean & Full Back Daly to make up the back three. Vice-captain Pete Black elected to watch the opening exchanges from the bench with McNab, Turpie & I Aitken joining him. At Morgans request the game was to be played in four 20 minute quarters with rolling substitutions.
Morgan certainly fielded some heavyweights with ex Howe Colt Iddans & Van Niekerk in their pack and ex-pros Black & Kiddie in their back line. It looked like their size was an intimidating factor in the opening exchanges with Morgan having the better of the possession and territory and exerting a fair amount of pressure on Howe’s vastly younger team. It was with some relief that the end of the first 20 saw Howe only 7 – 0 down after a storming run from Iddan’s led to a try under the posts.
A few words of encouragement from the coaches and the introduction of vice-captain Black saw the second 20 performance raised and after some excellent ball retention & driving by the forwards it was Black that took the ball over the line with R Aitken converting to level the score. This spurred the Howe lads on and with the forwards winning a greater share of the ball some good back play saw Aitken the elder, Ian on at Full Back, round off a good scoring move which he converted to give Howe a 7 – 14 lead.
A quick change of ends saw Howe continue the good work in the 3rd quarter. The forwards were standing up to their bigger but more sluggish opposition and the backs were starting to make some telling tackles, none more so than Messrs Wardlaw & Clark who didn’t seem the least awed by their more experienced opposite numbers. An excellent pick up from a kick chase saw Ian Aitken get his second try of the afternoon followed by McNab, on at hooker, getting another with good support work out wide. With both scores unconverted Howe were going into the last 20 minutes with a 7 – 24 lead and a chance at another Premier 3 scalp.
Morgan seemed to have reverted to their biggest & best combination for the final ¼ in an effort to save the game but all their size and experience, and even the efforts of scrum-half Black to usurp the referee’s job, did them no good. The Howe boys, with the bit firmly between their teeth, continued winning good quick ball at set piece & breakdown allowing the backs to run the ball back at the opposition. With their fitness also starting to show the Howe ran in a further 3 tries through Turpie, Lathangie & Smith with one converted by R Aitken to finish up convincing 7 – 41 winners at no side.
After a slow start Howe had pulled out another excellent performance refusing to be bullied by bigger, older but perhaps not wiser opposition. With all those in attendance making a good contribution, and with others unavailable on Saturday having shown well previously, the chance is there for a number of players to stake a claim for one of the 18 berths available for the opening National Division 1 League fixture against Preston Lodge. As long as everyone appears at training the coaches will have a hard time deciding on their squad for the first league game. Kick of at Duffus Park is at 3.00 PM and hopefully a good crowd will be in attendance.
Rugby Season Underway for Howe
Following last years unbeaten run in National 2 League Rugby Howe of Fife are looking forward to the step up to National League Division 1. With the start of the campaign fast approaching, Howe’s first league outing being at home to Preston Lodge on Saturday 30th August, the Howe lads have been training hard since 1st July. The effort put in by all attending training, despite the disruption of the holiday period & farming commitments, has already borne fruit with two moral boosting wins over opposition from higher league’s.
Saturday past saw an excellent performance at Duffus Park with the 1st XV Squad defeating Premier League 3 opposition Dunfermline 29 – 12. This followed the previous week’s trip to face another Premier 3 team with the Howe recording a fairly comfortable 26-0 victory over Perthshire. With some 30 players appearing in the two 1st XV games it was particularly pleasing that Howe managed to put out a 2nd XV against Dunfermline last Saturday and with a large number of this seasons Colts appearing they only lost narrowly, 15 – 19, to a more experienced & streetwise Dunfermline 2nd XV.
Thanks must also go to the guys from RAF Leuchars who answered the Howe’s call to arms & pitched up to contribute to the 2nd XV performance. Coaches & Players alike now hope that the RAF boys, some more of last years 2nd XV and some of last years Colts who have yet to be seen at training will all now find the motivation to attend training as several would appear to have the ability to challenge for 1st XV jerseys. Indeed, with several players still to return from injury, honeymoons & farming chores there is the potential for Howe to be fielding two strong XV’s at senior level as well as a good Colt’s side several of whom have already trained & played their way into 1st XV contention.
Last years squad remaining mainly intact & the addition of several talented youngsters coupled with the strong start to date and the continuing emphasis on fast, open, attacking rugby will hopefully continue to see the crowd’s appearing at Duffus, & at away venues, in ever increasing numbers as the support for the teams both home & away was much appreciated, by the players & coaches, and contributed in no small measure to the success enjoyed last year.
Howe’s next outing is away to another Premier 3 outfit with a visit to Morgan Academy in Dundee on the cards for Saturday 23rd August with a 3.00pm kick off. All supporters encouraged to attend.
Training continues Tuesday’s & Thursday’s at Duffus Park commencing 7.00pm. Any players interested in joining in at any level please just turn up at Duffus on the night, you will enjoy it!
Their remain several opportunities to sponsor the Howe’s efforts in the year ahead and anyone interested in taking advantage of these is encouraged to contact Club Vice President & Sponsorship Convenor David Harley on 01334 658053.
Howe only two games away from Murrayfield
Howe advanced another round in the Shield after a thoroughly merited win over Premier Division II Hills’. Hillhead were the highest ranking team left in the competition prior to Saturday’s match. This win means that Howe are only two matches away from an appearance at Murrayfield on May 3rd.
As Ewan Jack was away on school business, Pete Black took charge, in the second row with Darren Lorimer. Graeme Steedman was at tight head with Josh Fox-Clark and Steven Player, while the back row was as usual.
Stewart Lathangie returned to work the scrum, Terry Turpie and Ali Reekie – making his 100th appearance – were the centres, Andrew McLean and Girvin Imrie on the wings and James Smith at full back.
Howe played towards Anniesland Cross on a soft Hughenden pitch in cloudy, mild conditions, taking the game to the homesters who are currently at the foot of their league with five matches to play.
After Chris McNab had got on for five minutes while Fox-Clark was having an injury treated, Howe took a scrum on the Hill’s 25, moving play to the right where Smith intruded from full back and gave the speedy McLean the chance of a try at the right corner.
The wing, with customary efficiency, got the ball down on the line as he was tackled, but Peter Horne was not able to add the extras.
Almost from the restart, Howe were penalised at a maul for Hill’s full back, Gus Twaddle, to kick a goal of 27 yards and bring the score back to 5-3, but Hills ran up against a Howe defence not in the least afraid of the opposition from three leagues above.
In the opinion of the home supporters, Howe’s backs and defence were the best organised they had seen this year.
Horne missed a kick of 43 yards, but with 36 minutes gone Hills were penalised for ‘over the top’ at a ruck and Howe’s stand off goaled the straightforward kick from inside the 25.
Then the visitors’ high speed game exploded into life as they turned over Hills’ possession inside their own half, Imrie making off down the stand side wing before play moved across to the right and Iain Wilson, playing his 50th game, cut through in dramatic fashion. Though he could have scored himself, he quite properly gave to the unmarked McLean, to score the try which Horne converted to give the Howe a 12 point lead.
Just before the interval, Hills’ wing forward Stuart Rose was sent to the bin for charging Wilson while the Howe man was catching the ball in the line-out, and Horne tried a goal from 46 yards but kicked wide.
Everybody thought that Hills would give it a go in the second half, as they now had a wind at their backs. However, they were uncertain whether to take Howe on up front, or to run it, and they wound up doing neither of these things very well.
As it was remarked at the time, they had lost so many games that they had forgotten how to win, even though they possessed the heavier pack and should have been able to take control through the forwards.
But, as has been happening all year, the lighter Howe pack had the better technique and frequently turned over possession at the vital times.
Also, the defence was at its most vigilant, and at the heart of the effort was the back row – Wilson, Chris Mason and Will Pickard – as they have been on a regular basis.
Hills did manage a try after 27 minutes of the second half when their No 8, Marty Lane took a quick tapped penalty inside the Howe 25 and wing forward Stuart Rose forced over near the posts for Twaddle to convert and make the score 15-10, but that was as near as they got. Though there was 10 minutes of injury time, occasioned by an injury to the Hills’ hooker which necessitated his removal by stretcher, Howe did what they had to with admirable conviction and so gained a splendid win.
All 19 players did their club proud, including Will Wardlaw, Gav Baillie and Matt Daly, who along with Chris McNab, came off the replacements’ bench to contribute to this result.
Now attention diverts back to the league, as Howe travel to play Forresters on the 22nd.
The Edinburgh side can still finish runners-up, but for that to happen they must gain wins with bonus points from all their remaining matches, and hope that Dumfries come a cropper in their last two matches.
A C Baxter
Highlights of the game can be seen at www.scottishrugbytv.com
1st XV Take on Dumfries at Home 29/9/2007
The Howe faced probably their toughest test to date when Dumfries visited Duffus Park last Saturday.
The Cupar side had another new half back pairing in Lathangie and Horne, Ewan Jack resumed at outside centre to partner Spittle and the back three were as the previous week, Daly, Imrie and McLean.
In the Forwards, Mason returned to the back row alongside Pickard and Wilson. McHugh and Steedman packed down behind Player, Henderson and Josh Fox Clark, the 18 year old making his first start of the season.
The bench was filled by Watts, Lorimer and Turpie, making his first appearance of the season after a knee injury.
In front of a disappointing crowd considering their league position, Howe started really well, displaying both patience and purpose.
They were rewarded after only five minutes of play with three points from Peter Horne, who was forced to drop kick a penalty as there was no kicking tee.
The same player was involved at the other end only minutes later, making a try saving tackle to deny Dumfries a score against the run of play.
When two further penalties, successfully landed by Horne, put the Howe 9 - 0 up after twenty one minutes, the home team looked completely in control and capable of posting a good win.
This was confirmed seven minutes later when Will Pickard went over for his second try of the season after finding a small gap in the Dumfries defence. At 14 - 0 up, for some inexplicable reason, Howe took their foot of the gas and allowed the Borderers back into the game when they scored after a series of drives close to the try line.
Losing a score on half time was a timely reminder to Howe that concentration is an important part of the game.
Focus was an interval subject that was discussed and it appeared to have the desired effect after only sixty seconds of the second half when Andy McLean finished off a move in his right wing corner that had begun on the home teams own 10m line. Imrie, Spittle, Imrie again and Ewan Jack were all involved in the sweeping move which put Howe 19 - 5 ahead.
Jack made it 24 - 5 when he scored from a strike against the head ball that went slickly through the hands of Horne and Spittle to create the opportunity.
Chris Mason celebrated his return to the side with a score, again from a strike against the head, the number eight using clever footwork to evade two would be tacklers to touch down. Horne added the extra points and Howe were 31 - 5 up.
On seventy minutes, Horne made a classic stand off break, drew the last defender and put Terry Turpie away to score in the corner.
It was two minutes into injury time when Howe scored their sixth try of the game, Gav McHugh taking a short pass to crash over in the right corner. Turpie kicked the conversion to end the game on a 43 - 5 victory for the Howe.
This was the best display of the season from the team who now sit second top to Forresters.
There were good performances throughout the side but special mention goes to veteran prop Ralph Henderson who receives the three Player Performance Points. Peter Horne takes the two points and Chris Mason one.
Preview
With five wins from five games and four bonus points, Howe of Fife are currently in second top spot in National League Division two with twenty four points.
Not according to the official SRU fixtures website however, which has Howe on twenty three points.
Club secretary Alistair Paton is in the process of correcting a Referee error which apparently has the club down for three tries at Linlithgow, when in fact there were four. Luckily the game was recorded and a copy is now in the hands of the administrators who will, we trust, remedy the situation.
A very good home win last week over Dumfries will send the Duffus Park outfit in confident mood to face Glasgow Accies.It will of course be a difficult game but the overall team performance last week suggests that at last there was some degree of patience shown from the players. This allowed the side to build on opportunities created from phase play instead of forcing the ball in every attack.
Peter Horne in the stand off berth performed well, as did the whole of the back line and barring any midweek training injuries, the same seven will take the field tomorrow.
Ralph Henderson's rib knock may prove to be a problem but Chris McNabs expected return from injury, will give the Coaching team options in the Forwards.