Stew Mel vs Boroughmuir, 21/11/04

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Squad

The Stewart's Melville FP RFC team to play Boroughmuir RFC in the fourth round of the BT Cup at Inverleith on Sunday, kick off 1.30 pm, is:

There are a number of changes to the squad that drew their last league fixture against Kirkcaldy.

Stephan Burger returns to the starting lineup, allowing Sam Hendry to replace David Warwick at Outside Centre. Graham Shiel is available again this week and returns to his customary Stand Off berth, with Mike Elliott dropping to the bench.

Up front, we go for the front row that finished the game at Beveridge Park, with Euan Paterson added to the bench to provide cover. Ben Leathes moves back to the second row to fill the not inconsiderable gap left by Simon Capaldi, while Dougie Rycroft returns to the back row after his hat trick for the 2nd XV against Watsonians at the weekend. Lindy starts on the bench this week, with big Clarky given the nod at No 8.

I hardly need to point out that the game against 'Muir is going to be a major test for the team. A good performance in this game could be just the boost we need for the second half of the league campaign, so please do your best to come down to Invers and lend your support. You don't want to miss the Clash Of The Capaldis, and I'll even keep you a pie!

Bill

Riggers' Review

Control and patience. The two things we needed most on Sunday afternoon, but the two things that were missing in abundance. A spirited performance, thankfully banishing the memory of the Kirkcaldy game, saw us compete gamely up until half-time. Even in the first half it was, however, clear that, unless we retained possession and went through the phases, we were going to struggle to get a foothold in the game. Too many times line breaks were followed up by poor kicks. Too many times we kicked the ball straight to Boroughmuir defenders. Too many times we took the ball into contact and the ball came back slowly or not at all.

Boroughmuir certainly gave us a lesson in competing for the ball at breakdown situations, and, without making excuses, we are not used to it as that just does not happen in Premier 2. The referees just don't allow it. But, when you have one of the top whistlers in the country in charge, the competition for the ball at breakdown was fierce, and, in the cold light of day, a mightily impressive facet of Boroughmuir's play. Their ability to compete here was also helped by their strength and conditioning, and, whilst, under Graham Ellis, we have improved tremendously in this area in the last seven or eight months, we still have a fair distance to go to be able to measure ourselves against one of the top club sides in the country.

The second half, when we had a numerical advantage due to the sending off of a Boroughmuir player, was when we needed the control and patience. We were, however, given lessons in this art by Boroughmuir. When they had the ball, they were happy to keep it and retain it. Phase after phase, they were happy to recycle. They also gave us a lesson in taking their chances. When they got in the zone, they scored. We didn't. That's why they are a Premier 1 team and why we are still aspiring to be a Premier 1 team.

There are plenty of reasons to be hopeful, though. I guess, through pre-season friendlies, Mansell Cup games and a cup tie about four or five years ago, Boroughmuir are one of the few Premier 1 team we have consistently played. Saturday is the first time since the early 1990s where we had a chance of beating them - especially going into the second half. Alas, though, it wasn't to be, and we can now concentrate on 11 games that will determine the course of the season.

We travel down the road to Edinburgh Accies next Sunday afternoon in the first return match of the season. Accies are undefeated at home this season and, after edging the first encounter 23-5, it is going to be a tough game. It is a tough game that we must win, though.

Riggers

Stew Mel Stats

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