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Watsonians 2nd XV v's Dundee High School FP 2nd XV.
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Venue: Dundee
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Date: Saturday 16th February 2008. Kick off 3pm
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The 2nd XV hit the road once again. This week we travelled to Dundee in a league match that was re arranged for the third time. Third time lucky? Unfortunately not, a lacklustre performance saw use lose 27 - 17.
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In ideal conditions we assembled at Myreside for a 12pm departure North on what can only be described as a perfect day for rugby. Clear blue skies, with a slight chill to the air. And with last week's victory against Melrose under our belt and a fairly decent week's training we were confident with ourselves.
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Arriving an hour or so before kick off at an equally chilly Dundee (expertly guided by "local boy" Murray Souter) it gave us sufficient time to acquaint ourselves with the surroundings.
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In the pack saw Jeff Nicholson in the second row beside Richard Latimer. Jeff was returning after a small lay off with injury and a bit miffed when he learned he would be required to play the full 80 minutes (a hang up from his time in American Football maybe?)
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In the back row Guy Hills started at openside with Luke Di Rollo at No 8 and Chris Nicolson at 6. Chris was making his second consecutive start in the 2nd's.
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In the Backs Baz "lets get naked" Lawson kept his berth at scrum half. With Rob Tweedie and sibling Neil playing first five and second five respectfully (and with great effect.)
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Murray Souter was at outside Centre. With Gary Dempsey, Ewan "Robbo" Robertson and Jamie Stevenson making up the back three.
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With the low winter sun on our backs we received the kick off. Dundee placed us under real pressure and enjoyed the lion's share of the early possession. They were using every inch of the wide pitch to stretch our defence to the limit.
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It took about five minutes of sustained pressure to concede the first score of the game and it was no less than we deserved. For whatever reason we were too lackadaisical and sluggish. The old "haven't got off the bus" syndrome. Under the posts Captain Gary Scott urged for calm in the ranks as we knew we were more than capable of living with them.
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It wasn't until we had given away the second soft score that we played some rugby of our own. One of our problems was the lack of ball retention and on numerous occasions we would try passes and off loads that were never on which lead to knock ons and other silly offences.
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Anyway back to the action. The first of our three tries was scored by the recently returned from exile Murray Souter, who, for numerous reasons hasn't played much recently. He finished off a good flowing move which started with a bit of hit and hope kick up field. Second Row Latimer chased the kick and latched onto the end of a fortuitous bounce He offloaded to full back Stephenson who was coming at pace. Several hands later saw the ball being given to Centre Soutar who executed a lovely Brian Habana-esque dive to score. We were back in the game.
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We were started to play a bit of rugby Richard Latimer ran a good angle off fly half Rob Tweedie and found a bit of space. He kept the move going by off loading again to Rob who tried to keep the move alive but couldn't.
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Problem being was we kept shooting ourselves in the foot and giving away the softest of tries. Their third try was gifted to them, after a Souter clearance kick was placed into the breadbasket of the Dundee player who ran in untouched. Very frustrating, as we all knew we were a better side.
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Nearing the end of the first half hooker Daniel Moussa broke down in the scrum. Whatever way it happened he got his leg caught at the wrong angle causing his left knee to buckle. It was a sudden end to his game and probably the season. As you will probably be aware the big man is heading off to Australia next month. So it was a blow for him. This saw Andrew Welsh appear from the bench to make an impact.
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Our second try came after a period of domination. We were camped close to their line and were awarded a penalty. Captain Scott choose to take the scrum about 5 metres from their line. A simple well executed 8, 9,15 ball. To those wondering what I'm meaning. It a set piece move from Number 8 to scrum half to the full back going blind. It worked a treat as Jamie Stephenson glided over without so much as a finger on him.
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From what seemed like a very brief half time (why can't we trot off the pitch and have a good ten minutes breather.) the second half was under way. As was rightly pointed out the sun and the breeze were now in our faces and with facing a point deficit, the odds were against us.
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We kicked off and put early pressure on them. However their fly half kicked well from hand and soon got them deep into our territory. Dundee scored the opening try of the second half. I'm pretty sure it came from their scrum half who snatched a loose ball and showed a good step to evade our desperate tackles to go under the posts.
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The game continued with the same intensity and intent. However there were less tries. One comedy moment (if you're a Watsonian) and a howler if you're a Dundee player came when they had a 3 on 1 overlap and were cantering over. Until a forward pass under no pressure put an end to it all. I'd like to say hard luck but I'd be lying.
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Despite playing into the sun and the breeze we played much steadier than in the first half although were still making to many basic handling errors.
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Our third and final score came from inside centre Neil Tweedie who used his power and deceptive pace to cross from close range. It was a good individual score and well deserved.
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With time remaining and only two scores behind we really felt we could win. Prop and Captain had a good old scrape on the floor with his opposite number and got sin binned for his troubles (or was it just substituted?)
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Flanker Guy Hills was the second casualty of the game. He had a typical workman like performance. He traced back after a kick deep into our territory and was under pressure from the closing defence. He took the ball into contact and was double tackled for his efforts and trapped his right ankle and twisted it awkwardly. He was writhing in pain and had to stretchered off the pitch. Not a good sign for him and looks to be out for the season.
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So altogether a disappointing afternoon. With time running away from us we were throwing the ball all over the place trying to find the space to score, but the Dundee defence held firm and we failed to add to our tally of three tries. By the full time whistle we were flat out and had given everything to win but ultimately came up short. They were delighted to win, we frustrated as anything.
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Full time score: (Roughly) 28 - 17 to Dundee!!
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RL
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watsoniansrugby.com
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Published: 22/2/08
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