Stew Mel vs Aberdeen Grammar, 25/2/06

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Squad

The Stewart's Melville FP RFC team to play Aberdeen Grammar FP RFC at Inverleith on Saturday, kick off 2 pm, is:

Only one change to the starting lineup this week, and that's in the backs. Ross Samson is playing for Edinburgh U18s against the Borders at Dunbar on Sunday (2 pm kickoff), so he is replaced by Euan Clark at 9.

The pack is the one that actually started against Hawick last week, as Ben Leathes ended up missing that game due to work commitments.

Andy Statham and Alex Cox come onto the bench to replace Andy Davidson and wee Clarky respectively.

Forget the mutterings about league reconstruction - the best (and probably only) way for us to beat the drop this season is to keep winning our league games. The players and management team remain focussed on that goal, and we look forward to another raucous home crowd pitching up to cheer us on to our seventh league victory on the trot. Please don't disappoint us!

If you are looking for a cheeky wee appetiser to get you in the mood for the dish of the day on Pitch 1, may I suggest you turn up for the match between IADS and a House of Commons and Lords XV that kicks off at 12.30 pm on the back pitches. The typically stellar IADS lineup features no less than two of the current 1st XV management team, both returning after long absences from the business side of the whitewash. One is yours truly, and the other is Donald Scott - Blair's boys must be quaking ...

See you at Invers!

Malky

Riggers' Review

What an outstanding Saturday for rugby once again. After being at Inverleith to watch the Stewart's Melville XV battle their way to an 18-13 victory, despite being 13-6 behind in the last five minutes, you would think that would be hard to beat. But add in the fantastic Calcutta Cup victory, and a very special day was had.

The game against Grammar was a tough encounter, but, once again, the pack stood up to be counted. They were strangely subdued in the first half, but came roaring onto a game in the second half. Indeed, it was a couple of errors from the home team which gifted Aberdeen the lead, and, for long intervals, it looked like we would not come back into the game.

Losing Jackie early on to a head knock didn't help, but Alex Cox came into the midfield and gave a solid, assured performance; once more, another youngster has come forward and put their hand up for future selection.

The first half appeared to be damage limitation, and it helped to be playing against a team whose game plan was as limited as Aberdeen's. Their only attacking ploy appeared to be driving in groups around the side of a ruck, then doing it again, and again, and again. They certainly have the pack to play that way, but one wonders what last season's Premier 1 Player Of The Year, Rob
Seib, makes of it all from the centre.

Half-time arrived with us 10-0 down, and Macca urged the team to change the game plan, moving the ball into space. We also needed to be more secure at the breakdown, as Aberdeen were causing problems in this area. Unfortunately we soon conceded a penalty to take the score to 13-0, and it looked like our
unbeaten run might come to a halt.

The character of this team is more than that, though, and they came fighting back. Led up front by Paul, Clarky, Dalgy and Phil, we started making inroads, and finally the breakthrough came with a penalty chance for Borth. Woody was controlling things well and using his backs well, and things were starting to look up.

We then produced a number of good phases, but the final pass went down. Then, after 65 minutes, we had the chance of another three points, which Borth duly took. This took the score to 13-6, and the Aberdeen team were greeted by the sight of their coach urging them to slow the game down as they headed back to restart.

We continued to play well, and, from a lineout, the ball was won and spread wide, it came back again, went wide again, and, after what seem like an age, we were camped on the Aberdeen line. Penalty after penalty was conceded by Aberdeen for offside or contact situation infringements, until finally the referee plucked up the courage to deal with the persistent offending and send an Aberdeen defender to the sin bin.

From continued pressure and a good number of phases, we managed to pull a try back, with Jed Gordon stretching over in the corner. This phase of play had taken place with the stand side touch judge's flag out to indicate foul play, and, after the ref wandered over, we were left to wait for a couple of minutes to see what was happening. The try was awarded, another Aberdeen
player was sent to the bin for use of an elbow, and, with four minutes remaining, we were right in the game.

Borth slotted the conversion from the touchline, and we were level. A deep kickoff from Aberdeen resulted in pressure and a line out for Aberdeen in our 22. Stuart Clark went up, caught the ball against the throw and was off. A number of passes later, space opened up for Pete McLean to sprint home from the 22 and we were 18-13 ahead.

We regrouped, as there was still time for Aberdeen to come back into the game and rob us of victory, however, we controlled the last few minutes, slowing the game down well. The full time whistle went, the crowd went crazy and there were smiles all round; then the news came through that Hawks had beaten Boroughmuir, and,
for the first time since September, we were out the relegation zone. Still plenty to play for, of course, but it's a nice position to be in.

We travel up to Myreside next Saturday to take on Watsonians. They came to Inverleith and hammered us in late October, so we have plenty of work to do to make it eight wins on the trot next Saturday. But, with the spirit and determination being displayed by our squad these days, anything is possible, and we can still
dream of the great escape.

Riggers

Stew Mel Stats

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