Falkirk took to the field as the heavens open and the rain began to fall and with the lights bright it would be a difficult challenge. Kinross were a different team to the one that visited Sunnyside just a few weeks ago and they looked up or the game.

Falkirk found themselves on the front foot with some slick passing from the backs put wing Callum Rennie into space who scampered down into the Kinross 22, the eventual result was a scrum to Falkirk. A sharp flat pass from scrum-half Euan Edmond saw his half back partner Glen Faulds run on to the ball at pace and with an excellent running line he scythed through the Kinross defensive line and score under the post, try converted Glen Faulds.

From the kick off Falkirk messed up the possession and put themselves under pressure giving away a lineout on their 22. Kinross from the lineout moved the ball in field and were awarded a penalty for offside at the ruck, choosing a scrum they attacked again and again got a penalty for the same reason. The choose the same option but found the Falkirk defence resolute, eventually the got another penalty yet again hands in the ruck but this time Kinross choose the kick and it sailed through the posts.

Falkirk soon found themselves on the attack, sharp passing from the backs saw inside centre Gregor Ramsay power over for the try, converted by Glen Faulds. Soon after this Falkirk scored their 3rd try of the night, after good possession and recycling by the forward the Kinross defence was sucked in and the ball was put through the hands by the backs for fullback Euan Rooney to come into the line and score in the corner, conversion missed. Falkirk were leading 19-3

Falkirk were in search of a try bonus point and it came with arguably the best try of the game. For the first time in the game the Falkirk team went through the phases with their half backs directing the show, good ball presentation allowed the ball to be moved quickly with interplay between the forwards and backs it was a thing of beauty, with the Kinross defence at sixes and sevens the ball was moved out to the right, either of the centres could have barged over but selfish passing put winger Andrew Thomson in and he rounded the defence to score under the posts, converted by Glen Faulds. A sign that a team and players are maturing is recognition of and choosing the right option and this try was such an example.

Whether it was complacency or over confidence by the Falkirk team they allowed Kinross into the game and they did not disappoint the home support. Camped in the Falkirk half with the visitors again giving away cheap penalties and lacking the physicality at the breakdown the Kinross pack drove to the 5m line, the Falkirk defence part like Noah and the Red sea for the Kinross player to run in untouched, try converted. Kinross had their tails up and were soon o the attack again, pick and go time and time again saw them edge ever closer to the Falkirk try line where they eventually scored another converted try and in the process lost Duncan Scobbie to injury. A poor 15mins for the Falkirk team and half time could not have come at a better time.

Falkirk were on the back foot at this point and they knew they were in a game, with Kinross pressing their advantage, however for once in what seemed a long time the Falkirk defence found their physicality, forcing the error, Glen Faulds picked up the ball and ran the try in from his own 22, conversion missed.

HT: Kinross 17 Falkirk 31

It looked like the coaches half time team talk had the desired effect upon their charges as the Falkirk side started the 2nd half with the physicality that was missing in the first period, tackles low and aggressive, faster line speed and more importantly better discipline at the breakdown, the result was one way traffic towards the Kinross goal line.

The opening score of the 2nd period was a display of sharp accurate passing at pace by the backs as they blew past the Kinross defence for outside centre Connor Faulds to score in the corner, a sweet kick from the side line saw the try converted. Soon after the home team concede another try, this time it was inventive play by Falkirk, with the home team trying to stop the attack they pushed up to far, seeing this a grubber kick was put in behind them for wing Ryan Cameron, the wing showed good hands to pick a slippery ball and dot down, conversion Glen Faulds

At this time Falkirk forwards were dominating the front line giving their backs front food ball but Falkirk's next score came from the forwards, a series of quick offloads kept the Kinross team guessing, as the visitors moved forward that confusion led to space opening up and 2nd row Zack Beattie charged through from 15m out to score under the posts, converted by Conor Faulds.

Falkirk were in rampant form but credit has to go to Kinross, it would have been easy to throw the towel in but they kept giving their all to the delight of the home support. Falkirk increased their lead when fullback Euan Rooney scored his 2nd of the night, again good running lines, accurate passing and good communication allowed the young man to ghost in, converted by Conor Faulds. Falkirk still had time to score another two tries, the penultimate try and another good example of team work, strong work by the forwards interlinking with the backs provided good field position, good possession and recycling gave the opportunity for a blindside attack and put young Aiden Waters into space but he still had work to do, quick feet saw him dodge to cover defence to score his try, converted by Conor Faulds. Falkirk last try came from a solid scrum seeing space out wide Conor Faulds ran down the blindside, a tiring Kinross defence could not keep up with him as he burned them up on the outside, conversion missed.

FT: Kinross 17 Falkirk 73

A good team performance built upon the foundations set by the forwards, the backs showed how devastating they can be with speed, accurate passing and choosing the right option. Even though the conditions were wet and difficult there were very few errors, the 9’s were quick to the breakdown and kept the game flowing, communication was good amongst the players. It would have been easy for players to just try and do it themselves but they played as a team, played for each other and moved the ball to create the space then allowing their skills to exploit that space. Considering the conditions the ball handling skills were exceptional.

There is still some work to do particularly from the first half performance; tackling was all too often high and ineffective, repeatedly infringing at the breakdown with hands in the ruck or offside at the ruck when a simple step back would have sufficed and body height going into contact was to high. Obviously the coach’s spoke about this at half time because these mistakes did not surface again and the effectiveness of the team was great to see. Tackles were lower and sharper bring the player to the ground and allowing the defence to compete for the ball, body angles going into contact were much better allowing the boys to break the game line and giving the 9’s quick front foot ball, they also started going through multiple phases which engaged the Kinross defence and created space for the backs. However, the biggest improvement was the better discipline at the breakdown and not giving away cheap penalties and therefore giving away field position.

Tougher games lie ahead but for now the boys deserved their victory under the lights at Kinross.