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Watsonians 16 Melrose 24
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For the second week in a row Watsonians lost a game which they could, and maybe should, have won to slip to sixth in the top flight table.
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Melrose were the victors this time, winning 24-16 at Myreside in a game which saw ‘Sonians injury worries go from bad to worse.
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With props Kian Coertze and Andrew Welsh already out Danny Moussa was recalled to the first team and the quiet one sported a new haircut for the occasion. Nick Hart was the prop replacement on the bench, but injured his back in the warm-up. Neil Malloy did come on for his debut at hooker though.
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Second-row Torrie Callander also injured his knee during the match meaning that position is now causing coach Cammy Mather some concern, it never rains but it pours...
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After a minutes silence for former club president Derek Kidd, Melrose took an early lead, hooker Wayne Mitchell burrowing over for an unconverted score.
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However, ‘Sonians in-form winger Ali Rowe scored yet another try – converted by stand-off Andrew Skeen – to give the home side the lead 12 minutes later.
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‘Sonians had more chances thanks to good runs from Rowe and fellow winger Rohan Steyl but they led just 13-11 at the break, Skeen and Melrose centre Scott Wight notching two penalties apiece before half-time while home back-row Willie Lipp was also sin-binned.
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Half-time - Watsonians 13 Melrose 11
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Mike Ker came on for scrum-half Eddie Howe at the break and the back line was re-jigged from then on, something which did not help in an attacking sense.
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In the 49th minute Skeen extended the lead to five with another penalty but from then on Melrose fought back well, sensing Watsonians’ heads dropping as mistakes continued to be made.
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Wight added a penalty and then replacement centre Glen Stewart burst through a tackle to score under the posts, converted by Wight in the 68th minute.
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Watsonians were then denied a losing bonus point in injury-time for the second week running, Wight gaoling yet another penalty to give his title chasing side a precious 24-16 win.
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Full-time – Watsonians 16 Melrose 24
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Much like Scotland in Paris on Sunday night basic errors and a lack of composure and leadership played a part in ‘Sonians downfall. Things are not quite clicking at the moment for whatever reason. A win at Old Anniesland against Hawks on Saturday is now a must or else the men in maroon and white will be looking over their shoulder rather than looking to the top of the table.
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Man of the match – Kyle Traynor put in another great shift in the front-row and is stepping up to the mark this season. Rowe did well again too.
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Scorers: Watsonians: Tries: Rowe. Pen: Skeen 3. Cons: Skeen.
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Watsonians: S Stumbles; A Rowe, D Brown, M Mailo, R Steyl; A Skeen, E Howe; K Traynor, G Wood, D Moussa, T Callander, J Nicolson, W Lipp, W Rowley (captain), J Pelter. Subs used: N Malloy, S Paulo, J Abraham, M Ker. Not used: N Hart.
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PS – The second XV lost 19-18 to Aberdeen Grammar at Myreside and the women’s side lost 17-7 at Murryfield Wanderers on Sunday. To cap a miserable weekend the thirsds game was cancelled against Grangemouth 2s was cancelled as Watsonians could not raise a side.
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On a brighter note, at least the cub members who watched the New Zealand-France match on Saturday night had a good time, well apart from Kiwi Andy Learmonth! One can only imagine how delighted the Ed was with the performance of “Les Bleus”.
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GH
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