Forrester 2nd XV vs Stew Mel 3rd XV, 15/9/07

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Squad

The Stewart's Melville team for Saturday's league game against Forrester 2nd XV at Forrester Park, kick off 1 pm, is:

We’ve a strong squad out for our inaugural trip to Forrester.

Directions to the ground are here.

I’m sure, with the team we’ve got out and a bit of graft, we can put Forrester to the sword. Please be at Forrester no later than 12.15 pm; after the game it's off to Inverleith to watch the 1st XV (maybe) and have a drink or two.

Brodie

Match Report

I turned up this week, not sure what to expect, but, with the professionals Brodie & Coyle at the helm (this one will be wasted on most readers), there is a steely determination to the squad this year. Our warm up was thorough: we arrived at the ground at 11.30 am. You could see in the other players' faces that we were ready for this game; no words were exchanged - just a look. A look can tell a thousand words, but this look said just three: "We are ready".

Having scouted the opposition the previous two weeks, Coyle had a dossier on them as thick as Nelly's hide. His preparation was meticulous, and he used a blackboard to chart the the opposition's strengths and weaknesses. Players were then given a file containing vital statistics about their opposite number; no stone was left unturned - my opposite man was right handed, stepped off his right foot and liked to have toast with strawberry jam for brekkie. We then broke up into our positional groups to discuss patterns of play and defence. Midday came and we were then put through a vigorous warm up, with some well thought out drills from Brodie which helped bring us all into tune with each other.

A quick jog back to the changing room for the finishing touches. With 'Eye of the Tiger' blasting out of the iPod ... we were ready.

I know what some of you are thinking - that we are overdoing it for a 3rd XV match. But that's the sort of attitude and state of mind needed for a season as long as the one we have just started, and many good men (and some bad ones, too) will be lost along the way. In this type of race there are no prizes for second place. And, after giving back the trophy two seasons ago, Marky P needs something to go on his mantelpiece.

As we sprinted up to the pitch, I overheard a couple of their players talking about their previous two wins and not knowing what to expect from us. I had a script in my pocket, but thought it better to let them find out for themselves.

Sum Young Guy was captain for the day, so went over to the middle of the pitch and tossed the coin. Off to the side the supporters came. Over the other side of the pitch there was a railway.

Sum then told Forsyth that the ref had said there would be no back chat. "Good," said Stew, "I hate it when the refs get lippy with me."

Kick off

Some early exchanges were then followed by our first real possession - ball moved right - recycled - moved left round the outside from the half way - TRY (kick missed - DONKEY!)

To be perfectly honest, I was half asleep for most of the game, so don't remember much about it - although I probably still remember more than Sum does.

Here's some things I do remember:

• Hamish was set free up the right hand side, only to find a treadmill had been left on the 5 meter line. He was running but not going anywhere.
• Following a Forrester score, a hanging kickoff was put up by Shaft and a poor Forrester player was on the end of a Paton / Nelly sandwich. He was shortly removed from the pitch, never to return.
• Capaldi picking up from a ruck, pirouetting then going in from about the 22.
• Stew Forsyth popping up on the left wing - grubber kick - bounce into hands - stroll over the line for the score.
• Shaft giving Paton a pocket ball. I know what you are thinking, but he just has to learn not to do that again. His props won't like all those extra scrums.
• Darren's personal battle with his opposite man.
• A cross field kick which got caught in the wind; the idea was there, and it will work. One day.
• Stew and Baz asking if rolling subs were allowed; upon hearing they were, the two of them practically raced to the far side of the pitch to see who could come off first.
• Beating five players with one side step, running over the sixth and then outsprinting three more from the halfway line to finish off the game and the scoring.

The most memorable moment was, however, when Baz said he had the ref in his pocket. I think Bill has the photo.

Match Summary

Good game - as I was told by the opposition at the end when they were shaking hands. Most of them also said that I played well.

Look ahead to next week

'Sonians at Inverleith. I just found out that one of my delivery drivers has been playing for 'Sonians 2s. Hopefully he will be dropped for this week.

Note to team: do not injure his legs, feet or face, as he is working on Saturday night (ribs are OK, though). Couldn't find a photo, but this is pretty close:

Richie

Stew Mel Stats

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