Dundee HSFP RFC vs Stew Mel, 13/2/10

• Click here to jump to Match Report
• Click here to jump to Stew Mel Stats

Squad

The Stewart's Melville FP RFC team to play Dundee HSFP RFC at Mayfield on Saturday, kick off 3 pm, is:

A number of changes for this rescheduled league game against our old friends from Mayfield.

With Marsh available again, he returns to partner Hayden in the centre, Coxy returning to the wing and Liam dropping to the bench to accommodate him.

In the pack, Stath starts instead of Ross, while Andy Fraser provides back row cover on the bench as Ross Sutherland is away playing for Gael Force this weekend.

Michael Doneghan is also on Gael Force duty, so Euan Clark returns to provide additional backs cover on the bench.

There are a couple of points to note in advance of Saturday's game.

Firstly, I gather (subject to confirmation from 'Statto' Primrose) that this will be Pip's 100th game for the club - congratulations to him on reaching this milestone.

Secondly, we are able to name Saturday's squad early this week as the players trained on Tuesday and Wednesday. This was to allow them to head to Murrayfield on Thursday evening to watch the two SMC sides take part in the Schools Cup Finals. A great gesture from the players, who recognise that the school players are the future of the club - please be there at Murrayfield, too!

If you'd like a lift to Dundee on Saturday, please be at Inverleith by noon for a 12.15 pm departure. And please bring along your camera, as Bill will be in Cardiff!

Mike Sims

Match Report

Stewart's Melville travelled to the City of Discovery last Saturday to take on Dundee HSFP in a rearranged Scottish Hydro Premier One match.

In cloudy conditions, the visitors got off to a good start in the encounter, with Stu Ker and Angus Lean showing up well. It was, however, the home side who got the first points on the board in the fifth minute when winger Ross Lemon went over after some neat passing. The try was converted by full-back James Fleming to make the score 7-0.

Stew/Mel then showed up well again, with Ek and Borth both involved, but, eight minutes later, Dundee HSFP were 14-0 up after skipper Richie Hawkins made the most of an overlap to dive over. Things then got worse for Stew/Mel, with Ian Rankin's men running in two further tries by the 24th minute. Both of these were scored by the impressive Fleming, who this time last year was turning out for Perthshire, and, with him also being in good form with the boot, it was 28-0.

A further blow had been dealt to Stew/Mel during this period when prop Andrew Statham was forced off through injury, to be replaced by Ross Merrilees.

A good chance was then wasted by the visitors following an excellent attacking lineout, and Dundee HSFP then added their fifth try of the afternoon just past the half hour mark. This time, stand-off Cammy Ferguson kicked ahead and made up good ground to win the ball back before feeding Lemon, who darted in for his second of the day. For once it was unconverted, leaving the score at 33-0.

As they have done all season, in adversity Stew/Mel kept fighting, and, a minute before the break, winger Jed Gordon showed his pace to score an unconverted try after a superb counter attack.

After the interval the hosts - who were, of course, promoted alongside Stew/Mel last season - regained the ascendancy. Centre Harry Duthie went over and then good hands by replacement Robin Cessford set up Fleming for his hat-trick try after 68 minutes. The conversion of that try made it 45-5.

In the closing stages Lewis Calder had a strong run, brushing off a few defenders, and it was one of the reasons why he was later named man of the match for Stew/Mel. Dundee HSFP winger Matt Smith ran in a try with six minutes to go, however, and Fleming converted to complete the scoring at 52-5.

For Stew/Mel it was another tough day at the office, but young back-row members Lewis and Angus did well, while the team spirit is still high amongst Moff's squad.

This coming weekend, the side head across the Capital to face second bottom Watsonians. You won't need reminded that we beat the men in maroon and white earlier in the season at Inverleith with a strong showing, and the boys would love your support as they aim to do the double.

Stew Mel Stats

Stats c/o Ruairi McLeod

Return to 1st XV Fixtures page