Brawl erupts in Glenrothes v Hillfoots as Clacks side progress

A TIGHT game saw Hillfoots make it to the final of the Midland Bowl with a tasty clash against local rivals Alloa to look forward to.

To get there, the Earlsfield side took on a tough Glenrothes RFC side away from home, running out eventual winners by just three points.

The opening exchanges were nervy from both sides, but the hosts edged it, with the Foots defence standing tall to deny them.

Shaun Gray gained his side a 3-0 lead after gaining a penalty advantage and electing to go for a drop-goal, which he popped between the posts.

Foots piled on the pressure and made good yards through their ball carriers, eventually their work paid off and Fraser Christie dotted down, Callum Williamson successful with the conversion.

Andy Fraser was next to cross the line after good play from Iain Anderson and Mark Munro.

The conversion from wide was missed, and the Clacks men failed to deal with the restart as Glenrothes looked to hit back.

The hosts narrowed the deficit to just two points before the break after the referee judged that a Fife hand was first to touch the ball down and awarded them a try.

Hillfoots were given a man advantage as Glenrothes captain Lee Gartshore was shown a yellow card for a late hit just before half time.

Danny Cockroft got the next score after a great step off his right foot, cutting inside and racing to the line, with Williamson adding the extras to extend Hillfoots’ lead again.

But again they were slow to deal with the restart and the home side won a penalty in front of the posts – Gray wasn't going to miss this gift.

The last 10 minutes proved tense, with a place in the final at stake, and both sides were wary of a costly mistake.

Glenrothes gained the lead with just minutes to play, following a Clacks infringement, with Gray slotting another penalty conversion.

With nothing to lose Hillfoots threw everything into it and it took a real moment of madness from the home team to let them back in.

A disagreement between two players then extended to the rest of the squad and indeed some of the support, resulting in an all-out brawl.

Greg Mearns and Robbie Westwood were shown red cards, leaving Glenrothes with only 13 players to see out the game.

Williamson tapped the ball with the home defence still tied up, drew a defender out and Robert Hodge got in over the line to put Hillfoots back in front.

Graeme Simpson, head coach, said: “What a fantastic win from the players.

“They fought hard for each other at every turn and kept their heads when it mattered. We are now into a final against the Auld Foe, which I am sure both clubs cannot wait for.”