Stew Mel vs Glasgow Hawks, 25/3/06

Inverleith Angle

Welcome to Inverleith for today's final BT Premier 1 league match of the season, against Champions Glasgow Hawks. It is Glasgow Hawks' first visit to Inverleith under their current guise, and we welcome their players, committee and supporters to Inverleith.

We go into our final league game in the same position that we have been for months. We must win. Last Saturday saw heartbreak up at Myreside, with a try conceded in the last couple of minutes robbing the team of a deserved victory. Despite being shorn of seven players - six through representative call ups and one through injury - the team performed fantastically well against a full strength Watsonians side, and it gives a measure of how far we have come this season as a team that we can now compete, despite being far from full strength.

Our position today is no better, with those unavailable last weekend still not available today, but the 19 man squad that is picked will go out and give everything they have for the cause and do themselves, their coaches and their Club proud. I certainly could not be prouder of the effort and spirit that the team have shown this season, and it is a great honour and privilege to be President of these fine men. A win is all that matters today, and, if it comes in the last minute, then so be it. We must put pressure on Boroughmuir to win their games.

At the end of the season, if we have won 50% of our games and are relegated, there is very little we could do about it. I know we will be able to look ourselves in the mirror and say we gave it our best shot, whilst continuing to nurture and develop some of Scotland's best young players. Twenty former pupils of the school have represented the 1st XV this season, which is a fantastic achievement and great reflection of the work being done at the School by all the staff, but, in particular, Chris Spence and Bryn Lockie.

Today also marks the end of an era for the club, with Paul Wharakura and Hotili Asi playing their final games before heading home to NZ. Paul has been a mainstay of the club for the last three seasons. Today is his 65th game and his 54th as Captain. Paul may not be the most vocal leader, but, through his performances, he has led from the front, and his tally of 22 tries from the front row in these games is a fantastic return. It will be tough trying to replace Paul, but he returns home with our best wishes. Paul and his wife Nena are also expecting their first child later in the year, and, it may just be me, but 'Stewart Melville Wharakura' has a certain ring to it! Congratulations to you both; you will always be very welcome at Inverleith, and all the best for the future.

Hotili Asi also departs after the game today, and, despite only arriving in November, 'Hoti' has become a very important and well liked member of the squad, and has been the catalyst for our great run since December. He has shored up the scrum and contributed well in the loose, and is another who will be hard to replace. We again wish Hoti well in the future, and he, too, knows the door is always open.

The final person saying farewell today is Stewart 'Benzo' Bennet, and he has become such a key figure at the Club that it is difficult to imagine life at Inverleith without him. He arrived as a player towards the end of his career and played 37 games for the 1st XV before taking over as Forwards Coach midway through the 2002/2003 season. Today will be Benzo's 120th game involved with the 1st XV, and, on behalf of Stewart's Melville, I would like to thank him for his commitment, enthusiasm and belief. I will certainly miss the phone calls to discuss the performances, although I have been assured that these will continue. To Benzo and Lisa and their family, enjoy your 'retirement'. You know where we are if you miss us too much!.

The 2nd XV recorded a fine win on Friday night in Hawick to ensure a top half finish in the 2nd XV league. They still have a number of games to play, but their title chances look to have slipped away. The same can't be said for the 3rd XV, who know a win against Edinburgh Accies today will confirm their league title.

Congratulation to Richard Borthwick, who became the first Stewart's Melville 'Club Internationalist' against Ireland, and to Tom Beattie, who was selected as Doctor for the Scottish team; to Ross Rennie for appearing at the Commonwealth Games and Hong Kong Sevens; to David McCall, Colin Goudie, Andrew Easson and Richard Vernon on their selection for the FIRA U19 World Cup; to Ross Samson on his selection for Scotland U18 and also to Lewis Calder, Angus Dixon, Murray Allan and Adrian Duncan from the School 1st XV for their Scotland U18 selection.

Riggers

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