Stew Mel vs Watsonians, 31/10/09

• Click here to jump to Match Programme Notes
• Click here to jump to Match Report
• Click here to jump to Stew Mel Stats

Squad

The Stewart's Melville FP RFC team to play Watsonians at Inverleith on Saturday, kick off 2 pm, is:

A few changes to the team that ran Heriot's so close last week.

With Calum Forrester and Ryan Grant unavailable, they are replaced in the starting lineup by Stuart Clark and Colin Phillips, respectively.

Sam Blackwood also drops out after being injured during Scotland U20 training this week, with Callum Mackintosh replacing him.

Stu Ker starts where he finished the Heriot's game - at scrum half - while Ross Grant makes his first start at 10 for the 1st XV after a good showing off the bench at Goldenacre.

Liam Steele provides backs cover on the bench this week, while it's great to see the formidable presence of Paul Voy back in the squad after his return from injury.

Watsonians haven't had the best of seasons so far, and, after our fine showings against Ayr and Heriot's in recent weeks, this could be the week where we finally get our season up and running. Home support could have a large part to play on Saturday, so please join us at Inverleith for what's sure to be an enthralling contest.

As before, please remember that there are still major roadworks on Ferry Road east of Inverleith at the moment.

Mike

Match Report

The club flag flies from the new flagpole prematch

Were we in for a 'trick' or 'treat' in today's home match against city rivals Watsonians? Over our last few games - certainly since the beginning of the second half of our match against West on October 10, 200 minutes of rugby ago - Stew/Mel have been, without argument, the better side for most, if not all, of 100 of those minutes. We haven't, however, been the eventual winners of any of these matches, despite playing some fine rugby and our support enjoying some thrilling moments.

In the supernatural sense, with today being All Hallows' Eve, it is the time for spirits. Over the past few weeks, there has been another sort of spirit in abundance at Inverleith. The great Stew/Mel team spirit. At the lunch in the clubhouse prior to the game, Allan Munro, Stewart's Melville Executive Chairman, identified the individual who had done most, in his opinion - an opinion that is shared by many others - to keep the club morale so high. Allan named that individual as Head Coach Graeme Moffat.

Moff's mate DingDong is on hand to lend the boys his support

But would Graeme and the team get their win today? Well, we started with a win, making the right call at the toss. So we kicked off towards the Castle end with the 'moderate' wind against us. Straight away we were upon 'Sonians with a deliberate urgency. At this early point of the match we were playing with great determination. We were apparently going to play the game in their half. Within five minutes, the referee upheld our penalty claim and Stu Ker took the kick - but he misjudged that 'moderate' wind and his effort fell just short.

We were winning the early scrums, although we had some imposed cast changes to our front-row. Young Sam Blackwood was unavailable for selection due to an injury sustained in midweek training with the national under-20 side, so even younger Callum Mackintosh got the call to start at hooker. Then, ten minutes into the match, powerhouse Ross Merrilees came on as a replacement for in-form loosehead Ruairi McLeod, who was forced to retire with a dislocated shoulder.

Stu slots his second penalty

But, gradually, Stewart's Melville had begun to fall back, as we didn't force our early advantage. We're a far better side in the opposition half. While there, if we give away penalties, as it appears we must, the opposition are less likely to take points off us. So, at 19 minutes, we conceded a penalty which, fortunately, Mike Ker, the 'Sonian full-back, failed to convert. A lucky escape? It would have been, but five minutes later we gave away yet another penalty, and this time their fullback made no mistake. Stew/Mel were behind 0-3.

At the same point in previous matches, we wavered and then went further behind. But, today, to the home support's delight, we regrouped, refocused and went forward. Stewart's Melville had had enough of being beaten. Within six minutes of going behind, Stu Ker had scored from a penalty to draw level at 3-3.

Colleges were uplifted and kept piling on the pressure. Our visitors were running out of options as they tried to defend against the combined assault from our front five, back-row, midfield and back three. 'Sonians had no apparent response. Then they rightly endured the double ignominy of having their captain Kian Coertze carded, and a penalty awarded against them. So, with two minutes to go before half time, Stu Ker put Stew/Mel in the lead 6-3.

Hayden stretches to score

Around the park, as the gathering storm darkened the sky, the mood of the Inverleith support had brightened. Were we in for another cruel 'trick', or was it - at long last - to be the 'treat'? In defence throughout the first half Hayden Lingard was resolute. He had made some good support moves and provided others with nice offloads that had come to nothing. So Hayden could be forgiven when, four minutes from the restart, having collected the ball on half way, he embarked on a solo charge right down Route One at blistering pace to score a fine try. Stu Ker stepped up to claim the extras, bringing the score line to 13-3.

To paraphrase the omnibus truism, "You wait long enough for a try - then two come along together."

Having just complimented our fullback, it was our captain Richard Borthwick's turn. Avoiding at least two tackles, he found a way through the Watsonian defence to score our second try within the minute. Once again, Stu put the ball over to bring the score to 20-3 in our favour.

Borth cruises home

Now we were faced with choices. We could go all out and secure the win by playing the way we had started the final 40, and perhaps grab the bonus point. Or, alternatively, we could play the game at high tempo, making brave plays, but then slowly watch our hard won lead erode.

For the final 35 minutes, we selected the latter option. Stew/Mel made it unnecessarily difficult for themselves. It was obvious by 'Sonians' body language that they were beaten. If they started with team spirit, it must have been a poltergeist. But the Myreside 'guisers' did score two further tries. For the first of them, Nick Montgomery ran down the wing before making an inside pass to Watsonians' hooker Gregor Wood, who crossed the whitewash to touch down. Then, just prior to the final whistle, their man Doug Brown went over. But 'Sonians failed to convert either score.

Scotty secures man and ball

Final score 20-13.

Before I sign off, some special mentions.

Throughout the match, the front five were in the thick of it. Our forwards were quick to support our backs into opposition territory. Scott Brewster was immense, whether in scrum, ruck or maul. Scott, at one stage, caught Watsonians' super fast fullback before putting in a tackle that, in execution and effect, was simply top notch.

For overall performance, however, it was jersey numbers 9 to - and most definitely including - 15 that had the edge, albeit slight, over our never say die forwards. Winger Harry Boisseau was on excellent form despite his injury in last week's match. Harry was prepared to be adventurous in attack and was most formidable in defence. Craig Marshall was also on song; he harried the visitors' lines at every opportunity, making a big contribution to the eventual outcome.

Well here it comes. It was well worth waiting for, and, although it wasn't pretty, who cares:

WE WON! Enjoy!

All action photos care of JLP-Photography

Stew Mel Stats

Return to 1st XV Fixtures page