Strathmore Rugby Club

Some pics from Coo from of Saturday’s last play 33-34 victory over Lasswade in this season’s campaign opener. A huge thanks to Lasswade for their hospitallity and look forward to the return leg at Inchmacoble in the second half of the season.

‘Mon the Fusion! ❤️❤️❤️

Gary’s rugby roundup

Both Strathmore Rugby Club and Dunfermline Rugby Football Club got their respective seasons off to flying starts with bonus point wins on Saturday.

In Arnold Clark National Three, Strathmore were on the road to Lasswade and came out on top 34-33 thanks to a last gap try while, in National Four, Dunfermline turned on the style at home to get the better of Stewartry 43-27.

At Hawthornden, Strathmore were leading the hosts 19-12 at the interval, Ethan Spencer (2) and Fraser McKay scoring tries with the latter converting two of them.

Early in the second half a converted try by co-captain Connor Slader made it 26-12 to Strathmore before they had a player red carded. A penalty by McKay came, but Lasswade with the extra man were on the front foot and had built up a 33-29 lead with the clock past 80 minutes and into the red.

Then popped up Strathmore replacement Archie Oakley to score an unconverted try to win it for them in dramatic fashion.

Over at McKane Park, captain Matthew Wilson, Craig Mckenzie, Matthew Hamilton, Lewis Cu***ng, Calum Allardice, Angus Thomson and Kieron Clark Burns all scored tries for Dunfermline with Cu***ng and Clark Burns adding the rest of the points with their respective boots.

Given they won just two games in the same league throughout the whole of last season, this result will give head coach Andy Royle’s men confidence.

In National Two there were defeats for Howe of Fife RFC, Dundee Rugby Club and Kirkcaldy Rugby Club, but they all took bonus points at least.

Logan Parsons and skipper Eden Cruickshank scored tries for the Howe at home to Peebles and Jack Williams converted one, but they lost out 13-12.

The Howe head coach Niall Lear said: “We were really disappointed in the result.

“Hats off to Peebles, they came with an effective game plan and I think we probably played how they wanted us to which is disappointing.

We scored a couple of good tries, but we didn't stick to game plan and didn't hit Peebles where we knew we'd hurt them.”

Dundee earned a four-try bonus point from a 42-26 reverse at Stewart’s Melville, Ollie Stoops scoring two of the tries with Ross Jackson and Paul Ritch also crossing and Duncan Campbell converting three of them.

“It was good to get the season off and running and the scoreline didn’t accurately reflect the game and we definitely left a few opportunities out there,” Dundee head coach Dougie Gray said.

“Stewarts Melville, credit to them, took their chances well, but I was very pleased with the attitude from the boys and we played for the full 80 minutes and scored four good tries to come away from Inverleith with a deserved bonus point.”

Kirkcaldy lost out 45-28 at home to Gordonians, Craig Hamilton, Steve Milne, Rory Brown and Robbie Penman scoring tries in defeat converted by Ethan Murray.

In National One, Stirling County RFC won away at Marr 33-24 with a bonus point.

* A version of this article first appeared in The Courier UK on Monday *

HI-VIS OFF. GAME FACES ON.

A massive thank you to everyone who helped out at Ride the North at Glamis Castle on Saturday, bringing our summer run of community fundraising to a close.

It’s been a proper shift.

Glamis Extravaganza. Strathmore Highland Games. Angus Show. Kirrie Show. Glamis Castle Family Fun Day. Ride the North.

Early starts, long days, heavy lifting, car parks, barriers, programmes, buckets and plenty of mucking in.

Work hard. Play hard. That’s Strathie.
All summer, people across the club have rolled up their sleeves and helped raise funds, support local events and represent Strathmore right across Angus.

Now the hi-vis comes off.
Game faces on.
The focus turns back to rugby and to the men and women in black who will represent our community across the season ahead- The length of the Strathmore Valley and the Breadth of Angus

And maybe this is the challenge for all of us.
To borrow from the great Jim Telfer:

How can we get better?
How can we get better?
How can WE get better?

Not somebody else. Us.

Next Saturday the first team face Orkney in their first home team fixture of their new campaign.

Bring a mate. Bring the family . Bring your passion get down to Inchmacoble and make some noise and get the buzz on - a positive environment and the 16th man is so important to our success.

Work hard. Play hard. Back your club.

’Mon the Strathie.

GRYPHONS GET IT DONE!

A cracking start for the Gryphons with a 43–19 win over Glenrothes 1st XV at Inchmacoble.

Plenty of hard work, plenty of good rugby and, most importantly, a full squad effort from the boys in black

Great to see the group together at the final whistle — players, coaches and everyone involved enjoying a well-earned result.

’Mon the Strathie!

Good Luck to Fiona and Ben

Wishing Ben & Fiona all the very best as they take on the incredible Kilimanjaro Challenge!

We're proud to support you on this amazing journey and will be cheering you on every step of the way.

Enjoy the adventure, and reach for the summit ⛰

From all at Splash Out Bathrooms.

p.s looking forward to seeing the duck on the summit!!