Waid FPRFC <Waid-Fps>

Match Report 01/09/07814 days ago
 
Waid FPs 12 – Stirling University 16

Newly promoted Waid kicked off their season against their old promotion rivals, Stirling University, on Saturday. In the first half, Stirling chose to play with the wind in their favour and were rewarded after 3 minutes with a penalty in front of the posts. The visitors easily scored making it 0-3. Shortly afterwards they managed to put the ball over the line, in the corner, to make it 0-8 – luckily for Waid, they missed the subsequent conversion. 25 minutes in, Stirling scored another penalty in front of the posts bringing proceedings to 0-11. Waid found themselves struggling to get to grips with the windy conditions in the first half and opted to pass the ball, and run with it, rather than try and kick it into the wind.

After the break, with the wind now at their advantage, Waid changed tactics and sought to kick deep in Stirling’s half. The new strategy paid off just ten minutes in when Waid centre Ross Doak managed to score. Ross’ try was duly converted by his debutante team mate Alex Broome, to make the score 7-11. However, shortly afterwards, Stirling scored again to extend their lead to 7-16. Not to be deterred, in the dying moments of the game, Waid’s young guns managed to pull off another try. Some good passing play, following a line out, saw Doak freed up again to score his second try of the game, making the final score 12-16.

Man of the match points were awarded to Eric Anderson 3, Alex Broome 2 and Ross Doak 1. After the game, Waid’s captain Barry Gourlay said “We were really pleased today with the way that our younger guys played. We have some promising players coming through from the school teams, which is very positive for the club.”

Waid’s next game is on Saturday away to Mackie Academy FP and players are reminded to meet at the rugby club at 11.30.
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Match Report 06/05/07 - THE PLAY-OFF!!!!934 days ago
 
Waid FPs 20 v RAF Kinloss 19

On Saturday, Waid faced RAF Kinloss in a make or break play-off for promotion into the Caledonia League, division 1 and the encounter turned out to be a dramatic climax to the season. Waid went into the match missing several key players, including their injured captain Barry Gourlay, vice captain Ian Brocklebank, Graham Gourlay, Robert Carr and Kevin Anderson, and had to rely on some of their younger squad members to step up to the breach. From the outset, it looked as though the odds would be stacked against the Anstruther side, but some courageous play saw them victorious against their promotion rivals.

After just 10 minutes, RAF Kinloss opened the scoring with a try. Luckily for Waid, they missed the resulting conversion but the score stood at 0-5 to the visitors. However, Waid were keen to avenge Kinloss’ early lead and Ally Thomson got his name on the score sheet just five minutes later with a try in the corner of the park, bringing the tally to 5-5. Shortly after, RAF Kinloss were awarded a penalty in front of the posts, for a Waid foul, which they duly managed to score, making the score 5-8 and putting them back in the lead. Spurred on by this, Waid continued to battle forward and their persistence was rewarded ten minutes later with a penalty. Top kicker Ally Thomson stepped forward to take it and easily slotted the ball between the posts to even things up at 8-8. Despite the best efforts of both teams, the score remained that way going into half time.

It was twenty minutes into the second half before the stalemate was broken, when Waid youngster Scott Busby ran down the wing to score – thus putting the home side ahead for the first time in the game, at 13-8. Determined to recapture the lead, Kinloss were soon back in Waid’s half and were awarded another penalty for a foul on one of their players. Once again, they managed to score narrowing Waid’s lead to 13-11. Five minutes later, when on the attack, Waid’s George Hay broke through the visitor’s defence to put the ball over the try line. George’s try, combined with Ally Thomson’s subsequent conversion, appeared to put Waid comfortably ahead at 20-11. However, RAF Kinloss were not prepared to concede defeat just yet. Just two minutes after Waid’s try, the visitors scored from another penalty, making it 20-14. A few minutes later they almost had the ball over the try line, but their efforts were thwarted by a spectacular try saving tackle from vice-captain Mark Stormonth. Despite Kinloss’ late comeback efforts, Waid still seemed the likely winners until a dramatic turn of events in the dying moments of the game. Three minutes into injury time, Kinloss scored a try bringing the score to 20-19. The game rested on a knife edge as Kinloss prepared to take the conversion; a successful kick would ensure their promotion and a miss would guarantee Waid’s victory. Waid’s prayers were answered as the ball sailed wide of the posts, assuring them a place in division one next season.

After the game, injured captain Barry Gourlay said “I’m over the moon with the result today. We weren’t sure how the game would go, considering how many players we were missing, and it went right to the wire. It was so frustrating, for me, having to watch the game from the side lines, I was desperate to get on there! But I was also really proud of all the guys out there on the park.” Club President Mick McCowan commented “This is a great day for Waid FPs; what a brilliant way to round off a fantastic season. We’ve only lost two league games all season and one of those was against Stirling Uni, the eventual league winners. The players, and everyone associated with the club, have really worked hard for this and it is thoroughly deserved”
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Match Report - 14/04/07955 days ago
 
Waid FPs 57 v Montrose & District 17

On Saturday, Waid recorded another victory in their penultimate league game of the season, with a resounding win over Montrose. However, they paid a price for having to play on into the summer months, with the hard ground causing difficulties during the match. Despite this, Waid easily controlled the game and scored tries from Barry Gourlay (2), Mark Stormonth (2), Marc Horsburgh, Ian Brocklebank, Mick McCowan and Robert Horsburgh, while Ally Thomson’s conversion kicking was on top form. Montrose were only able to reply with 17 points, to make the score 57-17. Man of the match points were awarded to Barry Gourlay 3, Duncan Fraser 2 and Mark Stormonth 1.

Unfortunately, with just two minutes to go until full time, Waid’s captain Barry Gourlay was carried off the park after suffering a serious ankle injury. He will now miss the remainder of the season, including the crucial play-off against RAF Kinloss, on 5th May, as he recovers from torn ligaments in his ankle. Vice captain Mark Stormonth said after the game “We had a really good game today, with lots of players putting in strong individual performances, but it was unfortunate that Barry got injured right at the end. His studs got caught in the dry ground as he turned to pass the ball. This is why we shouldn’t be playing at this time of year; the hard, dry ground can cause all sorts of problems for players”. Barry will join several other key players who will be unavailable for the play-off, meaning that this will probably be the most difficult game of the season so far.

Next Saturday, Waid take on Bannockburn in what will be their final league game of a very long season. Bannockburn are currently 3rd bottom of the Midland Caledonian League, whilst Waid have guaranteed their second placed spot and play-off place.
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Match report 07/04/07961 days ago
 
Waid FPS 19 - Strathspey 5

Waid racked up another win on Saturday against Strathspey. Saturday's fixture saw Waid playing for pride as, ultimately, the result didn't affect their second placed league position. However, the game proved to be good preparation for their play-off against RAF Kinloss, which is now confirmed for 5th May.

Waid had a solid start to the game, managing to keep possession of the ball, but they found it hard to penetrate their visitor's defence. After around 15 minutes Waid's second row Gary McLaggan managed to break free, and run through Strathspey's defence, to score between the posts. Ally Thomson stepped forward to take the conversion and successfully brought the score to 7-0. Waid continued to put Strathspey under pressure with some good play from their forwards. After a period of strong passing, Ally Thomson was freed up to score a try in the corner of the pitch. Waid didn't manage to convert this time, making the score 12-0 at half time.

Five minutes into the second half, silly mistakes from Waid, gave Strathspey their first foray towards the try line, in the whole game, and allowed them to score. Waid responded with more good forward play and Graham Gourlay fought his way over the line to score for the home side. Robert Carr was on hand to convert the try, bringing the score to 19-5. The rest of the game was hard fought, with play mostly remaining along the half way line, as both teams tried, unsuccessfully, to gain more ground. The final score stood at 19-5.

Player of the year points were awarded to Barry Gourlay 3, Graham Gourlay 2 and Gary McLaggan 1.
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Match report 31/03/07961 days ago
 
Waid FPs 104 v Stobswell 0

Thanks to a comprehensive win over Stobswell, on Saturday, Waid FPs have now secured a second place league finish with 3 games still to play before the end of their season. This means that Waid will now face a play off, with their second place counterparts from the Caledonian League Division 2 North, to decide who will win promotion to division 1.

Saturday was a glorious day for rugby and, with a large home support turning out, the Anstruther side were eager to impress. Waid opened the scoring after just 5 minutes with a try from their captain Barry Gourlay. Ally Thomson stepped up to convert, making the score 7-0. In quick sucession, more tries followed from Graham Gourlay, Duncan Fraser, two from Ally Thomson and another from the Waid captain. Thomson was on hand again with four conversions, bringing the half time score to 40-0.

After 46 minutes, Graham Gourlay got his name on the score sheet again and began the try count for second half. Waid then rapidly put tries past bottom placed Stobswell, who have failed to win a game all season. Scorers for Waid included Chris Sneddon, Duncan Fraser, Steven Denny, Mark Stormonth and Ally Thomson, while Barry Gourlay and Mick McCowan scored two apiece. Robert Carr converted six and Ally Thomson one, to make the final score 104-0.

Man of the match points went to Eric Anderson 3, Chris Sneddon 2 and Barry Gourlay 1.

After the game Barry Gourlay, Waid’s captain, said “I’m really delighted with the result today. Everybody played well and it’s great to see so many players get their names on the score sheet, especially when we had so many people turn out to watch us”. Not only did Waid secure second place in the league on Saturday, but their victory over Stobswell also saw then rack up the highest win in their league so far.
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Match report 29/03/07964 days ago
 
Arbroath 5 v Waid Academy FP 24

Waid made sure that their last away game of the season was a fruitful one, racking up a 5-24 victory over Arbroath on Saturday. Despite the fact that Waid were still missing a few regular 1st XV players due to injury, work commitments and holidays, the Anstruther side went into the game with renewed confidence.

Waid started well, with full-back Ally Thomson scoring after 15 minutes: bringing the score 0-5. However, it wasn't long before Arbroath retaliated with a try of their own to make things neck and neck at 5-5. That was how the score line stayed for the remainder of the first half. With both sides on a equal footing, there was very little between them; both teams defended well and tried hard to push play forward, but with little luck.

However, the tide was about to turn for the East Neuk side. Almost straight from kick off, Ian Brocklebank broke away from a scrum and passed to team mate Eric Anderson who scored between the posts. Ally Thomson stepped up to take the conversion and brought the score to 5-12. Within 5 minutes Waid had scored again; this time after a break through try from 2nd row Richard Thomson, putting Waid 5-17 in the lead.

The visitors were then unfortunate to have a try from Eric Anderson disallowed, as the referee was unable to see the ball touched down. There was no mistaking that their next try stood, however, after impressive team work allowed Ally Thomson to run down the wing and score. Ally was on hand again to convert and made the score 5-24 after 60 minutes. Waid had another try, this time from Michael Hellicar, disallowed shortly after, meaning the final score stood at 5-24
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