GHA vs Stew Mel, 30/9/06

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Squad

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

The bus for Glasgow will leave Inverleith at noon on Saturday for any supporters who fancy joining us - we have two teams playing at GHA on Saturday, but there should still be some spare spaces. If you're driving, Braidholm is here.

Those of you seeking inspiration for Saturday should check out the report of our legendary Cup tie against GHA in 2003 - a similarly gutsy performance, albeit with a different result, would do us fine this time around!

It's also Jessica's birthday on Saturday, so hope to see a good crowd back at Invers after the games to help her celebrate the big 20.

Malky's Musings

We traveled to Braidholm on Saturday fully aware that our forwards would have to perform well if we were to take the points away from Glasgow. We had trained hard in the week running up to the match, and there were clear signs during the opening stages of the game that the efforts of the players and the coaches had not been wasted. Although we were under pressure in the scrum from a heavy home pack, we rucked efficiently and our lineout display was excellent.

We took the lead on 12 minutes when Richard Borthwick converted a penalty goal which was awarded for a high tackle in the midfield. During the opening quarter of the game, we had the better of the possession and territory as the home team struggled to clear its lines. The pressure on GHA was, however, partially relieved after around 25 minutes when Sean Mackenzie was sent to the sin bin for rucking out a player who was attempting to slow the ball at a breakdown. For the following ten minutes the forwards battled hard and our opponents failed to take advantage of their extra man. We entered the break leading 3 points to nil.

We started the second half strongly, when Jed Gordon broke down the left wing and we quickly recycled ball to allow scrum half Stuart Ker to score in the opposite corner. The conversion was missed and we led the home team 8-0. A lapse of concentration then allowed GHA to narrow the gap through a Noonan penalty goal, and, five minutes later, a further 3 points were added when we were penalised for a breakdown infringement close to our own 22.

We responded well, though, and were soon on the offensive. Borth took the lead to 13–6 when he crossed the line to score after some sharp work from Dave McCall. At this stage, it appeared as though the points would come back to Inverleith, but our cause wasn't helped when we lost both stand off Nicky Wood and centre Dave McCall to injury in short succession. The home side leveled the scores when an Allan Bulloch break resulted in a converted try on the far side of the pitch.

Then, with maybe 15 minutes left on the clock, our opponents took the lead for the first time in the match through a further converted try which followed a kick deep into our 22; GHA 20, Stew Mel 13. We fought back strongly, but were hindered by a lack of shape in the midfield, and, despite a sustained period of late pressure, we took only a losing bonus point from the match.

Although the final result was bitterly disappointing, the performance was encouraging, and we will continue to build over the forthcoming weeks. Next Saturday we welcome Accies (Edinburgh, not Leith or Trinity) to Inverleith for what looks set to be an exciting encounter. Our neighbours have started the season well, and will be confident when traveling the short distance to our home patch. I am, however, confident of another strong performance from this young Stew Mel team, and I fancy that our opponents will continue to find Invers a difficult hunting ground.

A final word must go to young Sean Mackenzie, who has impressed greatly over the past few weeks. We wish him well whilst studying down in Oxford, and look forward to seeing him again during the Christmas holidays.

Malky

Stew Mel Stats

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