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Stew Mel vs Selkirk
RFC, 3/10/09
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Squad
The Stewart's Melville FP RFC team to play Selkirk RFC
at Inverleith on Saturday, kick off 3 pm, is:
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15
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Hayden Lingard
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14
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Richard Borthwick (captain)
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13
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Alex Cox
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12
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Craig Marshall
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11
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Seumas Mackenzie
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10
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James Allan
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9
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Rob Patterson |
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1
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Ruairi McLeod
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2
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Sam Blackwood
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3
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Colin Phillips
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4
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Ben Leathes
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5
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Scott Brewster
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6
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Paul Voy
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7
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Harry Bonn
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8
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Blair Tweedie |
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16
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Callum Mackintosh |
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17
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Ross Merrilees |
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18
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Fergus Lamont |
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19
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Stuart Ker |
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20
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Michael Doneghan |
Fairly extensive changes to the squad this week for the
bottom of the table clash with Selkirk.
In the pack, the only change sees the injured Ross Sutherland
being replaced by Harry Bonn. Harry, like James Allan, has
recently joined us from Jersey, so please make him very
welcome at Inverleith on Saturday. Stuart Clark is still
sidelined through injury.
Our resident 'Statto', Rob Primrose, advises me that this
will be Blair Tweedie's 50th game for the club - congratulations
to him for reaching this milestone, let's mark it with a
win!
Behind the scrum, Euan Clark has had to drop out after
suffering a nasty eye injury in the Currie game. He's been
replaced at 9 by Rob Patterson, with fit again Craig Marshall
returning to partner Coxy in a rejigged centre pairing.
Hayden drops back to his familiar 15 berth and Borth's strong
performance from the bench at Currie is rewarded with a
starting wing spot.
The versatile James Allan starts at 10 this week, with
the equally versatile Stu Ker providing backs cover on the
bench.
Fergus Lamont steps up to the 1st XV bench this week after
impressing for the 2s recently.
This is another big game for the boys, against a Selkirk
side who will be just as desperate for the win as we are.
Home support could make all the difference, so please be
at Inverleith on Saturday to cheer the boys on.
Mike Sims
Ek's
Epistle

Saturday's opposition, Selkirk, were the only other team
in Prem 1 who were yet to secure a victory, so, going into
the game, it was always going to be a ferociously fought
contest, with both teams scrapping for everything they could.
We were again looking at a much changed team from last
week, with some changes forced and some tactical, but, with
a new looking line-up, the hope was that we could establish
a better platform in the forwards to give our backs some
room to play. It was especially good to see Phil Hendry
and Alex Cox back into the team following injuries.
The game started scrappily and it was a while before either
team were able to put anything on the scoreboard. The first
score came from a quick tap penalty by Rob Patterson, who
was able to show good strength and hold off two tacklers
to give Harry Bonn time to receive the offload and crash
over the line. Harry, who is a new recruit this season,
showed why he deserves his place in the first team with
his anticipation and quick reactions in support of Rob.

Selkirk responded almost immediately with a quick penalty
of their own, their scrum half releasing the inside centre
for a piercing run through the middle. He was only slowed
down by a tackle round his torso and was able to offload
to a team mate, who threw a long pass to his tight head
prop. The number 3 did well to turn his would-be tackler
inside out before going over for the try.
Selkirk's next try came from a break by the stand-off.
Spotting a prop marking him, he ghosted around the outside
as if he wasn't there and offloaded just before the try
line for the visitors' second try of the day. Stew Mel had,
up till now, looked Ok - apart from a couple of soft tries
caused by poor tackling and defensive decision making.

Stew Mel were 18-5 down by half time after another Selkirk
try, and we needed a good start to the second half in order
to peg our opponents back. Our new stand-off was playing
well and looked like a threat whenever he had the ball.
This meant our outside backs were given more room and our
main playmakers - Alex Cox, Hayden Lingard and Seumas Mackenzie
- were able to stretch their legs for the first time this
season. Coxy showed great pace at one point during the first
half but was not able to find Seumas before being tackled
well by the Selkirk full back. A chance that, if taken,
could have altered the outcome of the game.
We started the second half well, with a try from our young
hooker, Sam Blackwood. Stand off James Allan provided the
platform for the forwards to perform a quick pick and go
round the side. This developed into a driving maul which
we were able to manipulate over the line. The referee was
on hand to spot the ball being grounded and the match was
anybody's again. The forwards worked well with the ball
close in around the ruck all game. Phil Hendry, Scott Brewster
and Colin Phillips all carried ball hard and set up good
platforms for the backs to attack from.

It was, unfortunately, from one of these good Stew Mel
platforms that Selkirk scored next. Blair Tweedie carried
well from close to his own line to set up a strong ruck
on our own five meter line. The subsequent clearance kick
was not what we had hoped for and ended up in the arms of
the opposition winger, who gladly went around three flailing
tackles to score in the corner. Again, it seemed like we
had given Selkirk a try through our own mistakes, a poor
kick and woeful tackling allowing Selkirk to extend their
advantage again.
Selkirk's next try came from a ruck on the left hand side.
The boys were guilty of ball watching as four Stew Mel defenders
were taken out of the game by just two passes, releasing
the fullback who was able to pass inside to his winger who
then gave to the centre to score under the posts.

The game was nearly out of sight by now, but the boys did
well to push for another try. Phil Hendry made a great drive
towards the posts before getting a great offload to Ben
Leathes, who did well to get on Phil's shoulder to score
the try. It was great to see the Stew Mel team fight back
and get close to their opposition with not only a third
try but also the fourth, bonus point try, which came from
our new stand-off, James Allan. The number 10, taking a
leaf out of Phil Hendry's book, drove straight through the
middle close to the break down. He showed enough strength
to power his way across the line and dot down for the bonus.
It was obviously disappointing to come away from Saturday
with only one point, but it was, at least, good to see the
boys scoring some tries. Basic errors and poor tackling
were our downfall again. Our inability to chop the ball
carrier early and take scoring opportunities that we worked
so hard to create caused us to lose this game.

On a positive note, our new recruits did well. James worked
well at getting the backs on the front foot and Harry seemed
to be all over the pitch. Phil carried well and took us
forward nearly every time he had the ball, while Blair and
Brewster did well at ruck time.
Next week we head to West of Scotland for what should be
another exciting game. West are another team who have found
wins hard to come by, and will surely be scrapping for everything
- as we will be.
Ek
All match photos (bar third one) care of JLP-Photography
Stew
Mel Stats
| Ball Sponsor |
Grant Walker |
| Result |
Lost 22-30 |
| Sequence |
5-0,
5-5, 5-7,
5-10, 5-15,
5-18 (half time),
10-18, 10-23,
10-28, 10-30,
15-30, 17-30,
22-30 |
| Tries |
Harry Bonn (14 mins), Sam Blackwood
(47 mins), Ben Leathes (63 mins), James
Allan (76 mins) |
| Conversions |
Stuart Ker 1 (Ben's try) |
| Cards |
Harry Bonn saw yellow on 53 minutes, with Selkirk
going on to score two tries while he was sidelined
- a pattern is definitely emerging here!
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| Referee |
James Matthew of ERRS |
| Single Sentence Summary |
A disappointing performance, with our
tackling and discipline letting us down once again -
when we've got 15 men on the park, we're actually capable
of playing some nice rugby and (gasp) scoring some decent
tries! |
| Leading Lion |
Got to go for Phil Hendry
- he was at the heart of most of our good moves today,
breaking tackles and carrying the ball well. Great
to have him back!
That other red scrumcap wearer, Scott Brewster, also
deserves a mention for his efforts today - despite
the howling wind, our lineout actually functioned
pretty well.
James Allan had a decent game at 10, looking composed
with ball in hand and making some nice breaks. Still
looks more of a centre, though!
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| Bevvy Bulletin |
Just a few cheeky Coronas today - keeping the powder
dry for when we have that first win to celebrate!
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| Pie Points |
Still get a sad wee thrill out of having pies on
sale at Inverleith again, though it has to be admitted
that the two I sampled on Saturday weren't that great.
They had been under the heat lamp so long that the
pastry was rock hard and the filling sadly devoid
of greasy goodness. Moisture is the key!
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