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:

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

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