Falkirk RFC win first league match with bonus point

Scrum-Half Fionn Call converted a seventh minute penalty for Falkirk, which was due reward for the visitors’ pressure applied, as they strove to add to their tally.

Very frustratingly, though, on two occasions, having gone through the phases with some splendid lead up work, they spilled the ball with the try-line abegging.

However, two minutes into the second quarter, Falkirk were awarded a five metre penalty following a concerted period of pressure and lock-forward David Stoddart needed no second invitation in crashing his way over from the ensuing ruck for Falkirk’s opening try.

Three minutes later the same man was at it again, from a very similar scenario with Fionn Call making a sniping run from the base of the scrum before being grounded just short of the line and Stoddart bulldozed over for his brace of tries.

With their tails now firmly up Falkirk continued to take the game to their adversaries and this was exemplified in the 37th minute when outside-centre Connor Faulds made a scintillating break from midfield before transferring the ball to Stewart McCulloch on the Fifers’ 22 metre line before Falkirk’s Captain stormed the remainder of the field to dot the ball down under the uprights.

Fionn Call converted all three tries for a half-time score of Howe of Fife 0-24 Falkirk.

Striking back, the Fifers turned early pressure into points when prop-forward Ryan Hood broke through for an unconverted try in the 46th minute. Nevertheless Falkirk just kept plugging away, although yet again, they were guilty of spurning gilt-edged scoring opportunities.

However the Sunnysiders’ bonus point was assured in the 67th minute when Connor Faulds made another telling break from 35 metres out and he outstripped the home side’s defenders for a well taken try in the corner, with Call converting accurately from the touchline.