But then they missed the last five weeks of games because of weather postponements and Saturday internationals.
Paisley, though they managed a win last week, were lying second bottom.
Shire dominated the game from beginning to end and their backs, though slow and indecisive at times, always looked on top defensively.
They showed good touches from time to time and looked much more likely to score than the visitors.
It was therefore disappointing that Shire trailed 10-12 at half time because of their old failing of conceding too many penalties then compounding the matter by showing dissent or failing to retreat the necessary 10 yards.
Although the team has a
good mix of experience and youth it was sad to see that
the older players failed to show
a better example. The referee's decisions were at times
puzzling but they should know by now that it only makes matters worse if you antagonise him. Perhaps the problems would not have arisen if the usual captain, Rab Thomson, had been playing.
The home team started well with Eddie Stevenson dominating the lineout, as he continued to do all afternoon, and were unlucky not to score a try after eight minutes when James Erskine chased a kick through into the Paisley 22 but was beaten by the bounce, as were the supporting players.
After 13 minutes Paisley managed to get into the Shire 22 for the first time and were awarded a penalty which they converted – a sign of things to come.
Shire went level five minutes later after a lineout when William Parker tried to go through the middle but was stopped and the referee decided that the visitors had sinned in the resulting ruck.
Parker duly brought Shire level with his kick at goal. This pattern continued with Shire conceding a penalty three minutes later about 40 yards out and going three points down after another good Paisley goal kick. Shire were penalised again immediately from the restart and brought the kick within goal range after dissent. The visiting kicker took full advantage to increase the Paisley lead to six points though they had hardly been in the game.
Shire were rewarded for their domination of the game in the 26th minute. After another excellent Stevenson lineout take 15 yards from the visitors' line, the ball was well rucked and moved out to the backs.
After some dithering in
the backs, the ball was moved out to the right wing where young Tyrell Wilson sprinted
in from 20 yards for the first
try of the match. It was converted from wide out by Parker to give the home team a one-point lead.
That was very short lived as they again conceded a penalty and were penalised by 10 yards for dissent resulting in yet another three points for Paisley.
Shire then put together an excellent period of play after winning yet another lineout when the ball was tapped down to Ross Pauley who burst straight through the middle of the lineout and made 10 yards before being stopped.
The ball was then moved quickly out to the right wing before being brought back into the centre where Shire kept control in five rucks within 20 or so yards of the line before eventually losing possession. Shire were penalised again within goal-kicking range in the last minute of the first half but the goal attempt missed.
It was hard to believe that Shire could be trailing by two points after having at least 70 per cent possession and territory and supporters hoped the indiscipline problem would be dealt with during the break.
It only took minutes before the home team were penalised for collapsing a maul and went a further three points behind. The players kept going despite the problem with penalties and within a couple of minutes Parker made a strong break through a bunch of defenders before being eventually being forced into touch after 30 yards.
A few minutes later Shire had Paisley under severe pressure a few yards from their line and were eventually awarded a penalty in front of the posts which Parker converted to bring the score to 13-15.
Shire were now even more dominant and they were eventually rewarded after winning yet another lineout eight yards from the visitors' line followed by a strong drive by the forwards who were eventually stopped a couple of yards out.
Erskine, who was having a short spell at scrum half, went round the blindside and touched down. Parker again converted to put Shire back into the lead.
Within a few minutes Shire were awarded a penalty in a kickable position and Parker obliged thanks to a deflection off the far post.
In the last minute Shire scored their third try and in the last minute they were awarded a penalty 12 yards out. They ran it and created a ruck just short of the line from which the ball was fed out to Andy Farquhar who was unstoppable as he burst two tackles in his run to the line. The conversion was missed.
There is no doubt that there is a good spirit in the club at the moment with a 2nd XV being turned out regularly for the first time in many years. There is more commitment than has been seen for a long time and the 1st XV is playing better than in recent seasons. It is to be hoped that their progress is not hampered by indiscipline.
Team: R Williams, C Stephens, J Erskine, A Farquhar, T Wilson, W Parker, J Paterson, A Love, G Keith, R McCrindle, A Graham, K McNeil, R Pauley, E Stevenson, N Irving.