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A good weekend for the 2nd XV, it was only a short trip across the union canal for their away fixture, but more importantly for the Ed., the normally shy and secretive outfit decided to abandon their vow of silence and unveiled a new match correspondent from their ranks.
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Stepping up to the keyboard is Irishman Richard Latimer with this week's tale of the game:
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BOUROUGHMUIR 2nd XV v's WATSONIANS 2ndXV
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Saturday 29th September 2007, Kick off 1pm
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Venue Meggetland, Edinburgh.
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Bouroughmuir Watsonians is a fixture to focus a player's mind more than most and this game was no exception. It was clearly evident from the moment the troops assembled for the lunch time kick off that they were up for it.
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The conditions were gorgeous and perfect for rugby. The warm up was dynamic, professional(ish) and confidentiality orchestrated by Josh our own pocket battleship and it set the tone perfectly.
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The boys in maroon kicked off with Woody floating a lovely kick off resulting in early Watsonians pressure, the commitment levels were high with several big hits coming in from the Muir lads. Some over zealous play yielded a penalty in front of the Muir posts which was meat and drink to man of the match Rob Buchanan, 0-3 to the good.
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As the game evolved both sides were fairly even, we were absorbing a wave of pressure until about mid way through the half when Robbie Buchanan pounced on a loose ball and careered down the touch line, managing to off load to Rich Latimer who despite his best efforts was unable to keep the move alive, in the end it came to nothing but it really lifted the team who, up to that point were getting a tad frustrated at scrum time and the break downs.
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Muir evened the scores at 3 - 3 with a straightforward penalty of their own before Rob Buchanan powered his way over from close range. The try was preceded by some determined and cohesive pick and drives by Messrs Scott, Main and Moussa, which I know frustrates the backs sometimes, this was evidenced by Woodys cry of "Get the #@£$ thing out to the backs" or words to that effect, sorry mate!
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The two points were academic and we went into Half time 10 - 3 up.
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We went into half time pensive and fully aware of what the next 40mins was all about, we had to score first, what happened? We didn't, Muir did through their dangerous full back, which was gifted to them following a uncharacteristic 50/50 pass by the better looking Buchanan sibling Craig.
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Such is the character and confidence of this Watsonians side, heads never went down and they really rallied hard and responded perfectly with a swift try by the left wing Gary Dempsey, who had a busy game. The build up was steady and it came from a good line break, the final pass being deftly made by the new second row Jonny Beattie, who is so new in fact that he doesn't even have club socks (I'm sure he's paid his subs though)
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As Barnsey would say to Myles Harrison "what a difference a score makes" and Watsonians started to play rugby on their own terms with some great carries from Craig Buchanan and Luke Di Rollo, resulting in some really quick ball, the type that any back loves and the parcel was neatly presented to Robbie. He greatly accepted the gift, making an incisive break to bag his second score.
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Then I think Muir scored again (I was nursing a sore calf by this time) bringing the score to within seven points, so we were far from safe. At one point about mid way through the second half, we were enjoying another good period of possession, a sweeping move was in progress down the right hand side, suddenly an intercept and the Muir number 8 was roaring away (all be it in 2nd gear), Dempsey showed great pace and scythed him down creating a turn over in the process. Standing at scum half Craig B, showed a lovely bit of skill, clearly saw the space and executed a lovely box kick which in true rugby ball style bounced back into the open arms of hooker Freddy Main who was rewarded for chasing the kick, off loaded well and the move continued through numerous pairs of hands before Dave Turnbull scored under the posts. The kick was gratefully converted by Robbie to take the game away from Muir, who to their credit showed good character and their heads never went down.
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The game was won and petered out, this didn't dampen the lads sprits at the full time whistle, it was an important win for us and puts us unbeaten for September, long may it continue.
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I'm reliably informed the final score was Watsonians 31 Boroughmuir 17. Four tries for Watsonians through, Robbie Buchanan (2), Gary Dempsey (1) and Dave Turnbull (1)
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4 conversions by R Buchanan and 1 penalty goal.
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Man of the match: Robbie Buchanan. Mention must go to Moussa who carried all day as did Luke Di Rollo and Craig "Bours" Buchanan, James Fulforth for his line out work in light of the fact he was summoned in the 11th hour and Neil "the boss" Tweedie who bullied the midfield and Woody at 10.
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Richard Latimer
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watsoniansrugby.com
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Published: 30/9/07
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