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Stew Mel vs Boroughmuir,
24/9/05
Inverleith Angle
Today's match at Inverleith gives us an opportunity once
again to measure ourselves against Edinburgh rivals, Boroughmuir.
We, of course, clashed in the Scottish Cup last season,
where, despite holding a man advantage for the second half,
we couldn't quite kill off Boroughmuir's quest for the trophy,
which they went on to win in April at Murrayfield. To President
Stan Watt and the rest of the Boroughmuir committee, their
players and supporters, welcome to Inverleith.
Two weeks ago, we managed to get our first league win of
the season with a well-deserved victory over Currie. The
momentum was sadly lost last weekend in Biggar, where another
game can be added to the 'should have won' column. Ten years
ago it was the number of games that featured in that category
which cost us our place in Premier 1, so we need to get
our act together, and fast. Today gives us that opportunity,
and let's hope the boys take it. For the record, we scored
three tries down at Biggar through Graham Lind, Craig Joiner
and Sam Hendry. It's just a shame that the fourth try eluded
us, as we had enough possession and pressure to secure it.
The 2nd XV have had a tough start to their league campaign,
with a 51-0 drubbing at the hands of Heriot's two weeks
ago not the best way to start the season. Things improved
drastically last weekend with a much improved team performance
down in Biggar which saw the team win 19-7, with two Dave
McCall tries helping us on our way. It was a relief to the
new coaching duo of Dave Hunter and Stu Thom, but, hopefully,
with the first win under our belts, we can start to put
a few wins together. They host Hawick today on the back
pitches and, hopefully, can perform better than the 1st
XV did against Hawick.
One of the benefits of promotion to Premier 1 has been
an increase in player numbers we have to choose from this
season. This has been felt particularly lower down the club,
where we are in the fortunate position of having had our
3rd XV play three games already. First up, a German touring
team were comprehensively beaten, whilst, two weeks ago,
after our opponents and Leith Accies' opponents both called
off within a couple of hours of kick off, we managed to
redirect our troops down to Leith to provide opposition
for their 1st XV. A magnificent 12-5 victory was recorded,
and many thanks to Leith for the hospitality afforded to
our team. These two games proved a good warm up for the
3rd XV, who are playing league rugby this season. Their
campaign started last weekend, also against Biggar, but
this time at Inverleith. A comfortable 43-7 win was recorded.
For the first time in four seasons, the club fielded four
XVs on the same afternoon last Saturday, with the 4th XV
playing host to Liberton's 1st XV. Another comfortable victory
of 49-0 was recorded for the club, and, from what I heard,
the clubhouse atmosphere after these games was great. The
only downside to all these games is the lack of front row
players playing at this level, so, if you are an old prop
or hooker and fancy a relaxing afternoon in the front row
of the scrum, then make yourself known!
On the social side, the Ladies Day which was held on the
day of the Currie game proved to be a huge success, with
45 ladies enjoying a buffet and some drinks before the game.
The fact that many of them were still here at 11 pm shows
that it's not just the boys who like to let their hair down.
The next events are the race night on Saturday 15th October
followed by the Christmas Ball at the Roxburghe Hotel on
the 26th November. Tickets are available for both and application
forms can be found in the bar. Please also note that, if
you are planning to go along to any of the Autumn Internationals,
then please buy your tickets through the club. The SRU are
kindly giving the clubs 25% commission on these tickets.
Forms for tickets are also in the bar.
It was with great sadness that we learned of the serious
injury sustained by Jonny Mitchell, the North Berwick hooker
and captain in their game in Hawick two weeks ago. Jonny
suffered serious neck and spinal damage in the game and
our thoughts are with him, his wife and two young children.
Jonny, who is only 24, is in the Spinal Unit at the Southern
General hospital in Glasgow, and we wish him well in his
recovery. To help, we are taking a collection this afternoon,
which we will pass on through North Berwick rugby club.
Please may I ask that you dig deep to assist this young
man. It is at times like this when all involved in our great
game, that we all love so much, should rally round and support
one of our fellow rugby players.
Today's game will be preceded by a minute's silence in
honour of Colin Galbraith, a Boroughmuir club stalwart who
sadly passed away last week. Our thoughts are with his family
at this time.
Riggers
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