Stew Mel vs Jed-Forest, 26/8/06

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Squad

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

The team picked for the opening game of the season is as strong as we can field at the moment, and includes ten of the squad who defeated Glasgow Hawks in our last league game.

Ex-Dundee High School boy and Murrayfield Wanderers scrum half Stuart Goudie makes his debut, featuring in the same side as his brother Colin, one of three sets of brothers included in the squad.

Up front, former Scotland U19 cap Andy Davidson earns his first start at loose head prop. The game also sees the return to club colours of Paul Keith for the first time since we beat Edinburgh Accies 53-7 in February 2003. Andrew Fowler also returns to the squad for the first time since we lost to Greenock Wanderers in the Cup in November 2001, the only other survivor of that team in today's squad being Sam Hendry.

We look forward to seeing a big crowd down at Inverleith to support the squad in their quest for a quick return to Premier 1.

Riggers' Review

Different season, same blood pressure issues! Nothing like leaving it late to secure a victory which should have been clinched by midway through the second half, but too many unforced and hopefully uncharacteristic errors made it impossible to break down a stuffy and solid Jed-Forest side.

There were many good things done today, which certainly give hope for the season ahead, but a need to be more clinical and precise in many aspects of the game will be worked on in training. The scrum did well in the set piece and the lineout functioned OK (albeit with some work still needing to be done), but the breakdown situation needs to be addressed - and quickly. The backs functioned slickly at times, but often were quite lateral and, again, this will be worked on in coming weeks.

The game started with Jed in the ascendancy, and, before long, Gary McGarva slotted a penalty to open up a 3-0 lead. This was soon extended to 6 points with a second penalty before the pack started to hit their straps and shoved Jed off a scrum ball. A number of half breaks weren't capitalised on due to unforced errors or penalties given away at the breakdown situation, mainly for alleged holding on in the tackle. An opportunity soon came for Borth to open his account for the season, though, and he duly slotted the three points. Another penalty chance for Jed saw them extend their lead before Borth pulled it back to 9-6 at half time.

The second half started with a subdued Stew/Mel team holding Jed out quite comfortably, but clearing our lines into the breeze proved difficult whilst Jed were quite willing to kick for position and put pressure on. Some good counterattack work led to some pressure in the Jed 22, and, when the Jed winger was yellow carded for a ruck offence out wide, it was hoped that we would take advantage of the extra man. This proved to be the case when Andy Davidson managed to force his way over near the posts after a number of phases of play to make it 11-9.

On the touchline we hoped this would be the catalyst for more Stew/Mel tries, and, when a second Jed player was yellow carded for throwing a punch, you felt that the floodgates might be on the verge of opening. The fact they stayed firmly shut was, however, more due to our inability to retain possession for a number of phases rather than anything Jed were doing.

With Jed returning to a full complement, there was an uneasy feeling that our 11-9 lead could be taken away by a penalty or drop goal, and, when Garry McGarva managed to take a penalty about five yards closer to the posts than where it had been awarded, you felt that that might be the turning point. He was still short, but, when our clearance failed to reach touch, the ball found its way to Clark Laidlaw, who coolly slotted a drop goal to give Jed the lead, It looked like it was going to be a case of the opening day blues for the Stew/Mel faithful.

There were about five minutes remaining at this stage, and everything was being thrown at the Jed line. Borth missed with a penalty attempt, and, again, numerous opportunities were created which came to nothing. When the referee called the last play of the game with a Stew/Mel put into a scrum just outside the Jed 22, we had one last chance to salvage the game. Woody came blind onto wee Clarky’s pass, and, when he kicked the ball over the defence, it looked like our last chance had gone. The Stew/Mel chasers, however, applied enough pressure to the Jed defence for the rushed clearance to ricochet off another Jed player and bounce into the in goal area. In what seemed like slow motion, Borth reacted first to scoop up the ball and make his way towards the posts before dotting down to secure the winning score. His conversion then brought up his 350th first team points and the final whistle went to scenes of massive relief from the home support.

So we start with a win, and, no matter what happens, it can’t be taken away. The team were disappointed with their performance, but they can move forward to our trip to Kelso next Saturday and start to rectify the little things which were causing issues. It looks like being another of those seasons down at Inverleith, so, if you want some excitement, head down in future weeks and join the sizeable crowd for an edge of your seat ride!

Riggers

Stew Mel Stats

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