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Watsonians 2nd XV v's Glasgow Hawks 2nd XV
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Venue: Myreside
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Date: Saturday 5th January 2008.
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The inaugural game of 2008 for the 2nd XV ended on a positive note with a four try "bonus point" victory by 32 - 3.
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We assembled early for the 1:30 kick off on a retched wintry afternoon with the snow-capped nearby Pentland hills reminding us of the recent snow fall. The guys hadn't trained as a team since before Christmas. Thursday night's training consisted of a brief snowball fight. So our preparations were, well non existent!
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The team included a few 1st XV faces, which is always a welcome sight. Mike Kerr slotted into fly half while 1st XV hooker Woody was the captain elect for the afternoon and Craig Sorbie slotted in at outside centre. A special mention also for recently married prop Andrew Welsh who was returning after dislocating his shoulder against Boroughmuir at the end of September.
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The game was played on the relatively unfamiliar territory of M3, which, to those of you who think the M3 is the Motorway that runs from London to Southampton it's the pitch to the far left hand side next to the new flats. It boasts a slop that Lords would be proud of and with the prevailing wind blowing down it, it was clearly going to be a game of two halves (and it was.)
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Playing up the slope, into the wind and receiving the kick we started conspicuously enough. Cleverly they kicked off with a low grass cutter that we failed to deal with properly, rebounding off Richards Latimer's shin guards! Hawks were on the front foot and started very briskly. For about the first 5 to 10 minutes we were camped in our 22. Hawks kept the ball close to the ruck with a series of pick and drives and short off-loads by their lively scrum half.
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We weren't fully out of the changing room! However we defended with gusto and didn't concede a score. Once settled we began to play some rugby of our own. However the strong head wind and greasy conditions made limited our ambition.
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Our lineout was functioning well with Woody being accurate as well as everyone doing their job well. This was providing a good supply of balls to our backs who were showing excellent skill in running from everywhere. Craig Sorbie was in his element running hard at their backs, gaining yards and making gaps for the likes of speedster Gary Dempsey, who was getting little in the way of space or opportunity.
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An infringement from Hawks gave us a simple penalty chance in front of the posts, which was nonchalantly stroked over by Mike Kerr to make it 3 - 0. However it wasn't to long before we'd given away penalty. I'm not sure exactly what for but I'm assuming for a professional foul because the referee reached for his pocket and produced a yellow card and directed it towards Mike Kerr. Ten minutes to cool off (not exactly difficult in the weather conditions.) It was now 3 -3.
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Near the close of the first half scrum half Robbie Buchanan (making his return after a few weeks off with concussion.) re-aggravated his old head injury. He was at the back of a ruck about to release the backs when he suddenly was leapt on following a counter ruck from Hawks. Taken by surprise he was felled and his neck whip lashed leaving him lying in a heap (again.) No laughing matter, but to his credit he managed to play on. Afterwards in the changing room he took a minor ribbing for his cries of "Kirsty, Kirsty." Kirsty of course being our loyal physio. For whom he was desperate to see for treatment. He who laughs last....
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At half time it was 3 all. Hawks had not played the conditions well, so we were confident we could turn things around to our favour.
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With the wind on our backs it wasn't long before we scored our first try through Craig Sorbie. It came from a steady passage of play. Going through a series of phases close to their line. A quick recycled ball from the forwards and a swift pass to the right onto Sorbie standing at fly half, coming onto the ball at pace powered his way through a few tackles and over the try line. Easy I thought, why couldn't we do that earlier?
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It was the impetus we needed and things started to flow after that. Mike Kerr (on his return after the sin bin.) used his considerable boot to our advantage and kicked the corners intelligently. As our line out was working well it made perfect sense. Our second score from flank Sam Paulo came from a catch and drive from about 15 meters out. Prior to the lineout Kerr said adamantly he didn't want the ball, perfect I thought. A solid take by Latimer was followed by an excellent driving maul. Paulo found himself at the back of it and fell over the try line. A nice moment for the pack.
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Rob Tweedie was just wide with the conversion.
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Coaches Leslie and Kerr started to use the bench. This saw the arrival of Andrew Welsh who slotted into prop. The big fella Bad Boy also slotted into the other side of the scrum. It's just a pity that the scrums had gone uncontested by this time!
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Our third try was scored by Hooker and skip Woody. Who was rewarded for a tireless afternoon's work. Playing at No 8 by this time, his aggressive pick and drive saw him power over from close range. The game was safe by this time.
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As it petered out, inevitably the game started to become a bit looser and free flowing. Hawks attempted to attack from everywhere but were well marshalled by the resolute defence. Their number 8 executed what seemed to be a lot of pick ups, but was well looked after by our flankers of Craig Adams and Sam Paulo.
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Our fourth and final score came from the charismatic Daniel Moussa. During a phase of open play he found himself in the familiar territory of mid field. Clinging onto to a whipped out pass from Kerr (I think) and plucked it from the skies. Thereafter finding himself in lots of space with a clear run to the try line. The inevitable try came but not without a scare. He was tracked back, well tackled and was very nearly held up but dotted down to seal a well deserved hard fought victory by 32 points to 3.
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Despite our poor preparations we put in a really good performance and with a good turn out at training this week (weather permitting) we can look forward to a difficult away trip to Dundee.
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RL.
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watsoniansrugby.com
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Published: 6/1/08
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