Hillfoots 1st XV v Falkirk 2nd XV

After a week’s break from League duties, Rugby returned to Tilly Park this weekend with ‘Foots 1st XV in action against Falkirk 2nd XV. The weather played its part too and those who turned up to support their teams or where just passing by and drawn in to have a peak at the proceedings, were rewarded with a fantastic afternoon’s action and sunshine. What a brilliant advert for all that is good about amateur Club Rugby and, in particular what is good about Hillfoots RFC.

As anticipated the 1st XV game was played as a typical derby encounter with a neither team willing to give an inch in the opening exchanges. Played at a very good pace with no shortage of tough confrontation the game enjoyed a fantastic spirit and equal levels of respect shown by both sets of players for each and the match official. Moving into the 2nd quarter of the game neither team had gained a certain measure of ascendancy with some tight exchanges producing some “almost score” opportunities for both teams but neither capitalising on those. It took a very well taken penalty kick by the Falkirk standoff to break the deadlock and but for this score the exchanges remained tight, uncompromising and full of endeavour leading into half time. At the break Falkirk led ‘Foots 3-0.

Half Time: Hillfoots 1st XV – 0 v Falkirk 2nd XV – 3

Clearly the author of this game’s script wasn’t willing to adjust his writing because the 2nd half proceeded precisely as the opening 40 had panned out. Once again, it was left to the Falkirk standoff to land a long range penalty goal in the 45th min to extend his team’s slender 3 point lead to 6. From the ensuing kick off ‘Foots found some space in the wider channels and through some smart passing interchanges managed to finally break the 5 point deadlock and took the opportunity to finish off a well rounded team movement. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful and the home side trailed by 1, with 25mins remaining in the match.

With the game bursting into life, the next 15mins proved very fruitful for ‘Foots and in quick succession they were able to score another 3 tries, 2 of which were unconverted, to take a 22-6 lead moving into the final 10mins. To their credit Falkirk never backed down from the challenge and, but for some last passes not finding their targets the score line could’ve been somewhat closer. In the end though the consistent pressure applied by Foots saw them score a 5th try in the final 5 mins of the game to end the encounter 29-6 victors.

In all a fantastic day out with both the 1st and 2nd XV’s fielding full squads of 22 players a piece. Thanks must go the the match officials without whom the fixtures couldn’t have taken place and as ever we are grateful for their efforts.
Final score: Hillfoots 1st XV – 29 v Falkirk 2nd XV – 6