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Stew Mel vs Gala, 29/11/08
Inverleith Angle
I extend a warm welcome to Gordon Richardson, President
of Gala Rugby Football Club, his Committee and all the Gala
supporters who have travelled up the A7 to watch the match
today.
Inverleith is a very special place. The ground has hosted
many memorable matches at School, Club, District and international
level over the years. The memories of the matches are also
closely linked to the times in the clubhouse after the matches.
In the clubhouse you hear the characters analyse the games,
discuss the debatable decisions of the referees and generally
have a good time with their friends and acquaintances. As
with all Clubs, we have benefited from the various characters
that have put so much into the life of Stewart's Melville
FP RFC.
It was, therefore, a shock to many of us to learn of the
death, after a short illness, of Mike Miller, who was a
very loyal supporter of the Club over many years. He started
playing for the Club, more years ago than he would admit
to, but he was still coming down at Inverleith regularly.
He would travel to many of the away games and would be happy
to tell the team and the Committee where they were going
wrong. We will all miss Mike, and our thoughts are with
Joan and her family at this time.
Today we also remember another great Inverleith character.
He played a very important role in developing the talented
youngsters and in taking the Club back to the top level
of Scottish rugby. Grant Mackenzie made his mark on everyone
he came across and it is Macca's legacy that you see on
the pitch today. In his early days as a teacher he lived
and worked in the Borders and also played his rugby in Gala
before coming to work at Stewart's Melville College and
joining the FP Rugby Club. We are delighted that Macca's
children, Murray and Ellie, have accepted our invitation
to lead the teams out for today's match.
Many of the 'mature boys' who were coached by Macca accepted
the 'call' to come out of retirement last weekend to play
in a 4th XV fixture against Inverleith 2nd XV. One observer
commented that, after all the years of Macca's coaching,
the players finally made the ball do the work. The difference
this time was that their bodies couldn't do what they used
to do in their youth! I'm delighted to report that they
won the match 56-19. The team sheet was described by one
authoritative source as being a 'dream team' but it was
also noted that, whilst fifteen players were listed, there
were also fifteen replacements! Well done to the team managers
for getting so many players out, and hopefully they will
have another run out before the season finishes - but I'm
sure that will depend on how their bodies recovered! There
was even mention of a bus trip ...
The 1st XV made the difficult trip down to Peebles last
weekend and fought hard to come away with a 16 all draw,
whilst the 2nd XV recorded a home 17-10 win against Hillhead
Jordanhill 2nd XV. The season still has a long way to go,
but, if both teams want to achieve their ambitions, they
have to keep training, execute the agreed tactics at each
game and play at the right intensity for the remainder of
the season.
Congratulations to Dalgy and Jenny, who, I understand,
have become engaged. I'm delighted that Jenny is now going
to make an honest man out of Dalgy - let the celebrations
commence!
Mike Sims
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