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Stew Mel vs Currie,
10/9/05
Inverleith Angle
The honeymoon is over. After two straight defeats on our
return to Premier 1, we are in a position of having to get
our act sorted - and quickly. Whilst winning possession
in our first two games hasn't been an issue, retaining it
and doing useful things with it has been. It would be fair
to say that last Saturday in Hawick, we were awful. In our
first two games back in Premier 1 we have gifted the opposition
six of the nine tries we have conceded. That is a statistic
which we need to change urgently, and there is no better
place or time to do it than today against our visitors from
Currie.
Currie have started the season tremendously well, with
their young squad coming through difficult times over the
last couple of seasons to top the league after two bonus
point wins. They seem to epitomise the 'learn to stop losing,
learn to start winning, then start to win well' cycle that
teams have to go through. Having been at the bottom end
of that cycle in Premier 3 only a couple of seasons ago,
we now find ourselves right back at the start of it. If
we can sort out our defence and not give away soft and easy
scores, then we will become a difficult team to beat. Once
that is in place, victories will surely come.
Unfortunately, Andrew Easson picked up a nasty injury last
Saturday down in Hawick that will see him sidelined for
at least a month. We wish Andrew a speedy recovery and look
forward to getting him back on the pitch where he has already
made a big impact for us. On the up side, Sam Hendry, last
season's player of the year and top scorer, is fit to resume,
as is Craig Joiner.
Paul Wharakura returned to action last weekend and is benefiting
from the regular training, so will be soon back to his influential
best. Euan Clark, Struan Samson and Richie Vernon are all
scheduled to return in the next week or so, so the competition
for places is going to get tougher, which is great. Special
mention must go to Ross Samson, who has come into the team
straight from captaining the School 1st XV last season.
It has been a tough baptism for Ross, but he has come through
it well and he will become much the better player for it.
The crowd that welcomed us back to Premier 1 was fantastic,
and the gate money for the day was more than we took in
a whole season in Premier 3, just three years ago. In fact,
it was nearly enough to crack a smile on the treasurer's
face, but rumours of that happening are still to be confirmed!
The atmosphere in the clubhouse after the game was the best
it has been for a long time, and long may it continue. To
those who made it down, let's hope that you become regular
attendees at Inverleith.
Today is the first time our fixtures clash with Edinburgh
Gunners games, and it has to be hoped that the seemingly
sensible people who are now running the game in Scotland
realise that Friday night is the night for pro rugby. Edinburgh
lose many spectators as they are rugby players themselves.
With the lack of numbers playing the game in Scotland, surely
the last thing we want is to make players choose between
playing the game and supporting their local pro-side. There
must be room in a weekend to do both. I know many of our
squad would watch the Gunners play, and, if the number of
Gunners players present at our opening league game is anything
to go by, then they want to be part of the club scene, too.
Let me extend a warm welcome to the players' wives, girlfriends
and mothers at the club today. I hope you have an enjoyable
afternoon at the club and that we will see you around on
a regular basis, supporting both the team and the club at
the various games and social functions organised throughout
this season.
Steph De Beer plays in his 50th 1st XV game this afternoon,
following quickly on the heels of Richard Borthwick who
achieved the feat against Heriot's. Congratulations to you
both on achieving that milestone and let's hope you have
many more games left in you for the club.
Finally, a warm welcome to all from Currie for today's
game. Let's hope that the spectacle which unfolds is a fantastic
advert for the club game in Scotland - and that the home
team finally get the show on the road.
Riggers
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