Stew Mel vs Heriot's RFC, 30/1/10

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Squad

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

A settled look to the team to play our old friends the Nails for the first time since our last season in the top flight.

With Ross Grant dropping out due to the injury he picked up at Millbrae last week, the backs are the same as the ones originally selected for the Ayr game. Stu Ker returns to Stand Off, in other words.

In the pack, we welcome Edinburgh Rugby pro Ryan Grant back to the front row for the first time in many games. Callum also starts at hooker this week. Scott Brewster is fit again and starts in the Boiler House, with Chris Sutherland dropping to the bench.

Also on the bench are Angus Lean and Jed Gordon, fresh from some great performances for the 2s in recent weeks.

Hope to see a large crowd down at Inverleith for this local derby - don't forget that the 2nd and 3rd XV games against the Nails are now starting at 2 pm, so come down early and enjoy a feast of rugby.

Bobby Clark has asked me to point out that parking is likely to be a problem on Saturday, as the Hockey Club also have three home games that day! These will start at 12.30, 2 and 3.30, so there will be heavy demand on parking and possibly changing facilities.

We would ask for co-operation by all concerned, and players and supporters should appreciate that they might not be able to bring their cars into the ground depending on when they arrive.

So - turn up early, enjoy a great afternoon of sport at Inverleith then head for the bar afterwards!

Mike Sims

Match Report

Last Saturday was pleasantly sunny, but extremely cold, for the game between Capital rivals Stewart's Melville and Heriot's at Inverleith. It was only at lunchtime on the day that the pitch was declared playable and the green light given for the derby match to go ahead.

With all other Premier One matches postponed due to frozen pitches, Inverleith's own ground-keeping maestro Willie Purdie deserves a special mention. Through hard work and great skill, Willie and his team had not only permitted the game to be played, but had made it possible for Stewart's Melville to attract one of their best gates of the season so far.

If the large crowd had come along to be entertained, they weren't to be disappointed. The visitors kicked off then advanced in strength, only to be pinged immediately for an infringement. From the resulting scrum Rob Patterson played quick ball out to Liam Steele, who made some good yards before shipping to Phil Hendry, who then penetrated deep into the opposition defence. Rather than risk being held up by the defenders, Phil - who had Stu Ker on his shoulder - made the sweetest of passes to the home stand-off, and he was over to open the scoring with a try within the first minute. Stu then converted to give the home side a 7-0 lead.

For the next 10 minutes Stewart's Melville played stylish rugby, with both Hayden Lingard and Craig Marshall causing the Goldenacre men some real defensive problems. Front-row duo Alex Edmonstone and Callum Mackintosh also appeared to be out to spoil the visitors' day by hitting hard in the tackle and being so very 'assertive' in the contact areas. Alex Cox took advantage of the visitors' confusion and could have been in for a try if it hadn't been for a last gasp intervention.

Then, when Heriot's were trying to break free from their own half, Ben Leathes put in a great tackle that caused the opposition to knock-on. With the advantage being played, Liam sent quick ball to Phil, whose blistering pace sadly left him isolated - but, when he released, all the visitors could do was kick the ball into touch well inside their half. A perfect lineout ball from Callum to Ben let him pass the quick ball out, and, once again, Colleges were through - Liam crossing the whitewash and Stu converting to make it 14-0.

What next? Heriot's finally got out of their half with a long kick to touch, then a lineout, a ruck and a turnover set up a try by Scotland Club International Alan Dymock. Fifteen minutes played, and it was 14-5.

Next, a high tackle on a Stewart's Melville player resulted in a penalty that, unusually, Stu missed, but he was right on target when, in the 21st minute, he took the scores to 17-5. Then, four minutes later, Heriot's winger Andy Douglas was over for a try, 17 -10. Nine minutes later, sloppy defending by the home team let opposite winger Byron Roberts go through the open door and score a try which was converted to tie the match at 17-17.

The Inverleith men had squandered their good start and the advantage of going in at half-time ahead. With a few minutes to play before the break, Stew/Mel were on the ropes, and Heriot's struck again, their second-row Philip O'Connor powering through to touch down, with Graham Wilson adding the conversion to bring the half-time score to 17-24.

Two minutes after the restart, Stew/Mel conceded a penalty, and Wilson added another three points to take the score to 17-27.

The home team had, by now, lost some of their composure, and, while they hadn't given up - far from it - they had reached that point where, if it could go against them, it would. As confirmation of this, it wasn't just any Heriot's player who scored next - it just had to be former team-mate Colin Goudie who crossed in the 54th minute to take the score to 17-32.

Then, at the end of the third quarter, No.8 Jamie Syme added a converted score to make it 17-39. O'Connor then scored his second try a minute later, and, with so much practice under his belt by now, Wilson found the mark and it was 17-46.

For the next nine minutes Stewart's Melville tried to put the brakes on Heriot's, but replacement hooker Finlay Gillies took Heriot's over 50 points and Wilson made it 17-53. At this moment in the match, any men in scarlet who hadn't been replaced were running on low reserves of energy, but still had the fight within them. And, with a few minutes left, the hosts made a final assault on the opposition line, resulting in Stu getting the last try of this hard fought encounter and bringing the scores at the final whistle to 22-53.

Heriot's had earned a valuable win. Stewart's Melville had lost, though not because of any lack of spirit or work rate. Where the home team had been beaten was by not being effective in the tackle. There were, however, some excellent phases, with some good attacking runs involving Richard Borthwick, Marsh, Coxy, Liam, Hayden and Stu. Blair also continues to impress, both in the set piece and the loose.

Making his 1st XV debut for the season, replacement Angus Lean showed great promise with his fearless tackling and his willingness to take the ball on.

This Saturday, February 6th, Hillhead Jordanhill - the Premier Three leaders - visit for a Scottish Hydro Cup match at 2.30 pm. Hopefully all that promise shown by Stew/Mel when playing top flight opposition will come to the fore and we can produce that long awaited win.

Stew Mel Stats

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