Stew Mel vs Hillhead Jordanhill RFC, 6/2/10

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Squad

The Stewart's Melville FP RFC team to play Hillhead Jordanhill in Round 1 of the SHE Premier Cup at Inverleith on Saturday, kick off 2.30 pm, is:

A few changes for Saturday's mouth-watering Cup tie against Prem 3 pacesetters Hillhead Jordanhill at Inverleith.

Marsh is away watching the Gooners, while Blair is away on holiday. Coxy therefore moves into the centre to replace Marsh, with Jed starting on the wing. Angus Lean replaces Blair in the back row after impressing when he came on against the Nails last weekend.

We're expecting a tough game on Saturday - the visitors are on form, and could well be sharing a division with us next season - so it would be great to have another healthy home support down to cheer us to victory.

Bring a few Frenchmen down with you if you can - what better way to start their weekend in Edimbourg?

Mike Sims

Match Report

At Inverleith before last Saturday's Scottish Hydro Premier Cup encounter, a plaque commemorating the first ever international Rugby Union match between Scotland and France was unveiled by the FFR's representative Jean-Pierre Lux. That inaugural fixture between the two nations took place at Inverleith - the then home of Scottish Rugby - just over a century ago on January 22 1910. On that day, Scotland were the victors, winning 27-0.

Back to the present, and, with the strong Gallic influence all around them, the home support may have been forgiven for expecting a spot of 'va va voom' as the match against our cup opponents - Premier Three league leaders Hillhead Jordanhill - kicked off.

The visitors quickly got the game underway, and they were soon showing the form that has taken them into pole position in their promotion race. Within the opening minutes, Hills had a penalty that, fortunately, they failed to convert. It was now time for Stewart's Melville to seize the initiative. From a breakdown, the home side produced a play that made the distance between the sides' respective leagues more than apparent. Kiwi Hayden Lingard took off at a sensational pace and ran a full 60 metres, avoiding various interceptors on his way, before slipping a pass to a grateful Jed Gordon. The latter, returning after a long spell with the twos, was out to draw attention to himself and scoring a try within six minutes was a good start. Step up Stu Ker to claim the extras: 7-0.

Then, for the next few minutes, the Inverleith faithful were treated to - if not quite Champagne rugby - then a most acceptable and sparkling alternative.

It was delightful to watch the way in which 'Captain Reliable' Richard Borthwick was linking up with the ubiquitous Liam Steele, while Alex Cox (sporting an unseasonably short haircut) was, together with Liam, menacing the Hughenden defenders on their flanks. Sterling work by Alex Edmonstone, Andy Statham, Ben Leathes and, in particular, Lewis Calder meant Stew/Mel were winning turnover ball - and they weren't squandering the chances being created.

Another score was coming, and it came in the 13th minute when an attacking move involving some quality passing by Jed and Coxy set Phil Hendry free to cross to bring the scores to 12-0.

At the lineout Sam Blackwood was consistently accurate in finding his man. He even managed to send a ball to Angus Lean that was so well placed that Gus, rather than catch the ball in the conventional way, headed it to his surprised stand-off.

Throughout this season, Stew/Mel, having worked hard to establish an early lead in many of their games, have then contrived to throw the advantage away. With such a variety of ways in which to be beaten open to them, the home side called on one of their old favourites for a few disastrous minutes on Saturday - indiscipline.

Giving away a penalty let the visitors open their account and bring the score to 12-3. Then Ek was carded for allegedly 'killing' ball. Perhaps, on Sunday morning, while reading the sports section and dipping his buttery toasted soldiers into his three minute egg, Ek read of Welsh coach Warren Gatland calling his giant lock Alun-Wyn Jones "absolutely stupid" for being sin-binned. The reason for this scathing criticism was that, while Jones was off the park, England scored 17 of their points and eventually went on to win. Ek's absence wasn't quiet so devastating for Stewart's Melville, though Hills did manage to score a try from a scrum through their captain Stuart Ross - but, mercifully, they didn't convert. Our indomitable prop is not stupid and, doubtless, he has resolved never to ... get caught again.

Then, to complete the home side's madness, the Glasgow men were awarded yet another penalty, this time for a deliberate knock-on. Hills full-back Gus Twaddle made no mistake with his kick and brought his team to within a point at 12-11.

At forty minutes played, Stew/Mel were testing the visitors' defence, recycling ball and searching for their weakness. It was Liam - loitering at the corner flag both unnoticed and unmarked for what seemed an age - who, on receiving a pass, rather nonchalantly bent over to touch down for a try. With the conversion missed, the scoreboard read 17-11 at half-time.

The match officials took a longer break than normal and returned to the field just as both waiting players and supporters were considering whether to adjourn to the clubhouse to watch the second half of the Italy v Ireland match. When proceedings eventually got underway, it soon became obvious that, whatever comments Graeme Moffat had directed to his men at half-time, they had now stepped up their tempo and appeared more disciplined.

Now using a less predictable backline, Hayden made a penetrating run, and, although there appeared to be no impediment to him scoring, in a selfless act of incredible guerrilla kindness, he passed the ball to Borth, who sailed over in a demonstration of the home side's superiority and ever increasing self-belief. Forty four minutes played, 22-11.

Lewis and Phil were showing real class in the loose while Ben and Scott Brewster were dominating the set piece. Colleges were by now in the ascendancy, and, knowing victory surely would be theirs, they proceeded to underline their superiority by bagging points.

A well-taken penalty kick increased the home advantage to 25-11. Next, in true 'Habana' style, it was Jed who ran the distance, going over for his second try and taking the score to 30-11 with 64 minutes on the clock. Stu converted to make it 32-11 before replacement Ross Sutherland was carded for a misdemeanour.

After that Hillhead Jordanhill did make a couple of visits into Stew/Mel territory, presenting a real and present danger that was dealt with decisively by Borth, Rob Patterson and Callum Macintosh who was on at hooker. Scrum-half Rob made an excellent clearance kick while under intense pressure that put the Inverleith men back on the offensive.

To cap his excellent game, Hayden - who had throughout been immense in defence and quite sublime when going forward - seared through to score a more than deserved try. The unconverted kick held the score at 37-11. Playing the way he was, it was more surprising that Jed didn't get another score for a hat-trick, and Coxy deserved something more for his skilful passing and masterful juggling.

It was, however, that maker of the hard yards, one of our pack's twin turbines, Scotty who was to have the honour of scoring the Capital men's seventh try of the contest. Stu then converted 'Bruiser's score, taking the final tally to 44-11.

A special mention goes to Stu, who, in addition to scoring nine points himself, turned in an outstanding all round performance at stand-off.

It wouldn't be over optimistic after this fine win to predict that Stew/Mel could go a lot further in the Scottish Hydro Premier Cup. We are, however, back on league duty on Saturday, February 13 when we travel to Dundee.

There's never an easy game at Mayfield, but, after this convincing cup win and now with their tails up, Colleges may make it a closer game than the form book would suggest. So, if possible, why not travel the roads and the miles to sunny Dundee and give the Stewart's Melville 1st XV your support - they're worth it!

Stew Mel Stats

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