Kirkcaldy set off to Aberdeen for their final match of this year, knowing that at this stage in the league campaign a win was vital for both sides.
As you would expect at this time of year, it was very wet underfoot and extremely windy up at Rubislaw Playing Fields. The game began with the home side sensibly having the wind at their backs and playing downhill to ensure that early pressure was put on the visitors.

The Blues defended well as Grammar pushed for the opening score of the game, however it was the visitors who took the lead after repeated infringements led to a penalty which Fin Smith neatly converted 0-3 after 6 minutes.

Grammar then put more pressure on the Blues and eventually after 9 minutes a converted try gave Grammar the lead 7-3. Following a high tackle, a penalty was conceded, and it was 10-3 to Grammar after 17 minutes. It was going to plan for the home side as the Blues played uphill and into the wind when a pick and go from Grammar’s scrum half led to another converted score on 21 minutes 17-3.

However, it was not all one-way traffic despite the home side utilising the conditions to their advantage, the Blues forwards were dominant at scrum time and being sensible with lineout execution which allowed the Blues to get the backs into the game. After 24 minutes some good play allowed Rhys Bonnar to score a converted try following a smart ball from the base of a ruck. 17-10

On the half hour mark the Grammar scrum half broke through again as the referee played advantage for another high tackle from the Blues. 22-10. The Blues took the fight back to the home side and the forwards combined with the backs effectively and following a series of pick and go’s Stevie Milne scored and the duly converted try made the score 22-17 as half time approached.

The second half began with the Blues pack doing their jobs effectively and providing decent field position for the backs to exploit. After a powerful run and fending off a defender Rory Brown scored a nice try and it was all square after 54 minutes played. Kirkcaldy took the lead after an hour of play when Seb Evans scored after some great grind from the forwards to give him the opportunity to cross the try line. This was converted and it was 22-29.

Around this point the home side concluded that they were not going to get any success at scrum time, and they chose to go uncontested such was the dominance of the Blues pack. Another powerful effort from Rory Brown led to his second try of the day as he burst through to make it 22-34 and the Blues were securely in bonus point territory after 65 minutes.

Following a neat line out the forwards drove the ball forward, with hooker Craig Hamilton forcing his way towards the try line until he was eventually halted, but the ball was secured and recycled to Callum Kennedy who scored to make the score 22-41.
Grammar hit back at the very end of the game after some fine handling which led to a converted try, bringing the game to an end at 29-41.
A great result for the Blues, with some sensible and effective game management in the conditions prevailing from Fin Smith and Gavin McKenzie in midfield, a strong pack display dominating line out ball and scrum situations, effective in the loose and generally disrupting the home sides game plan.

The backs contributed with some good handling and always threatened, Robbie Penman looked confident under the high ball despite the windy conditions and all in all it was a good solid performance from the Blues.