A DOMINANT Hillfoots 1st XV blew away Blairgowrie in a tremendous performance at the weekend.

The Wee County side started brightly and eventually went on to win 31-8.

On a day that the weather was a complete contrast to the howling gales and pouring rain when these sides met at the beginning of February, the ideal rugby conditions played a hand in Hillfoots successfully executing their game plan.

In an end-to-end first half, ‘Foots worked a lineout inside Blairgowrie’s twenty-two secured fast ball. Danny Cockroft received it and spotting a dogleg in defence, jinked through to score under the posts. Grant Carmichael added the extras.

Blairgowrie’s response was almost immediate with their winger scoring in the left corner. The wide conversion was missed but ‘Foots’ lead had been slashed.

The home side had a chance to get within one point with another penalty in front of the posts but elected to tap instead. The ferocious away defence was impenetrable and the ball was eventually turned over by captain Duncan Arthur.

‘Foots managed to secure another score before the half-time break and it was Kerr again who got it. A fine break up the right wing from Ewan Paton saw the home defence scrambling.

Spying a gap, the opportunist half-back showed the tiring defensive line a clean pair of heels to run in under the posts. Carmichael again slotted the conversion.

With 15 minutes left, the game was all but won after a fifth try. A strong run from Arthur saw him burst through a tiring tackler and continue his fine scoring form by going under the posts. Callum Williamson made no mistake with the conversion.

The final quarter of the game was largely spent in the ‘Foots’ half with a determined Blairgowrie side looking to get another score. Great defence however from the Wee County side, kept them out and no further scores were added.

The final score was 8-31 in favour of the visitors, after a terrific all-round performance. ‘Foots managed to convert most of their chances into points and a scoreless second half for Blairgowrie showed a determination in defence.

Hillfoots now leapfrog Ellon and sit fourth in the league.