Enjoyable sound of North Inch erupting as late Perthshire try earns 22-22 draw

The North Inch “erupted” when Perthshire dotted down late in the day to secure a hard-earned 22-22 draw against Strathmore.

And, with National League safety now confirmed, delighted skipper Mat Rae is eyeing a bright and prosperous future for the club.

Shire only needed a point against Strathmore on Saturday but battled to the last whistle to claim three, hoisting them even further up the table.

“The guys have put in amazing performances over the last couple of weeks at training and on Saturdays,” Rae said.

“The numbers we have been getting at training has really helped everyone up their game and allow us to put out a solid squad.”

Strathmore had opened the scoring and tempers soon frayed between the backrowers, with Matt Jenns and his opposite number sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes.

From the ensuing penalty, Shire kicked to the corner and won the lineout cleanly off the top.

Sent out to the right, Lewis Murrie at scrumhalf switched it back left where Kieran Ramsay scored in the corner. Jonny Armitt missed the difficult conversion but the home lead was 5-3.

Not long after, Dan Rae took an excellent steal and immediately Shire were on the front foot. The forwards did the heavy lifting, bulldozing up to the line for Ramsay to get his second of the day.

Strathmore hit back following a looping pass which opened up the defence and the scoreboard was quickly level.

Yet Ramsay was proving a menace and secured his hat-trick as the break approached, this time peeling off the maul.

The second half started at 100mph and indiscipline was hurting Shire - preventing any attacking rhythm.

Hauled down just short of the line, Strathmore reorganised quickly and, after a few short picks, took their try in the corner. The conversion was