Stew Mel vs GHA, 21/1/06

Inverleith Angle

Welcome to Inverleith for today's BT Cup match with GHA. To their President Bernard Dunn and all GHA committee and supporters, I extend a warm welcome and hope you enjoy your visit.

The last time the two clubs met in a competitive match was back on January 21st, 2003, exactly three years ago to the day. The game was played through at Braidholm on a Wednesday evening due to a fixture backlog, and we were unfortunately beaten that evening 30-29 in a game that we could - and probably should - have won. Indeed, we were on the verge of promotion from Premier 3 at that time, with GHA about to step up to Premier 1. Things have changed somewhat in the last three years.

Only two Stewart's Melville players survive from that team to today, and they are Richard Borthwick and Stuart Clark. Both managed onto the score sheet that night, along with Fraser Pollock and Koli Latailakepa. Fraser added a couple of conversions and Scott Bowman had a penalty and conversion. Of further interest still is the fact that that game signalled the last time Stewart's Melville 1st XV were defeated in the month of January. Let's hope for an exciting Cup match like that occasion, but with a home victory today. A league game hasn't been lost in January since 12th January 2002, unfortunately against the Rodneys, so the least said about that the better!

Last Saturday saw the 1st XV record their third consecutive win in Premier 1 and climb level on points with Biggar in the League. If we can keep on winning, who knows what can happen. It would be nice if we could start to gather some bonus points along the way, but wins may be enough. It was a very controlled performance last Saturday, and, hopefully, not as bad as some of the press made it out to be. Next Saturday sees another vital game against Ayr at Inverleith, kick off 2.30 pm, so I look forward to seeing you again next week.

Our scorers last Saturday were Paul Wharakura and Stuart Clark, with Richard Borthwick adding 17 points with his boot. Paul actually notched his 100th point for the club against Boroughmuir through 20 tries, and his tally after last week now stands at 21 in 58 games. Not bad going from the front row. Stuart Clark's try was his 23rd for the club in his 62nd appearance. Borth moved his points tally for the season onto 120 points, and has gathered 279 for the club in 64 appearances, with 23 tries thrown in.

The 2nd XV also played Stirling County last weekend and lost a bruising contest 26-10. They play Boroughmuir this afternoon, and it is vital for them to get a win under their belts to maintain their challenge up the top end of the league. The 2nd XV's outstanding games have all been rearranged and details of the dates can be found elsewhere in the programme.

The 3rd XV travelled down to Melrose and a convincing 38-19 victory was secured. Stories of the trip and the game have been slow to emerge from last Saturday, but suffice to say, with Manager Coyle in charge, it was not a quiet affair. The 3rd XV play Watsonians today in a game that could go a long way to deciding the 3rd XV title. Both teams have only lost once this season, with Watsonians being victors in the first game between the sides, so revenge would be sweet. Good luck to the 3rd XV this afternoon.

Wednesday evening saw the next generation of Stewart's Melville FP players book their place in the Schools Cup Final against Robert Gordon's on Friday 27th January at Murrayfield with a 7.30 pm kick off. The team played very well in difficult conditions to beat Merchiston Castle School 17-5, and have a great chance of lifting the cup next week. Entry to Murrayfield is free, so get yourself along and cheer on the team.

Congratulations must go to Ross Rennie on his selection for the Scotland 7s squad to play in Wellington and LA. This means that Ross has now played his last game of the season for us, and he will be missed. Alex Clarke was also called onto the bench for the Scotland U21 game with Newcastle Falcons' academy last Monday night. Alex is not part of the core U21 squad, so can still feature in club games.

Riggers

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