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Regular 2nd XV correspondent reports on a moral boosting victory:
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Watsonians 2nd XV v's Edinburgh Academy 2nd XV
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Venue: Myreside
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Date: Saturday 3rd November 2007.
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Result 29 - 6.
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Watsonians 2nd XV made a return to winning ways with a convincing, well earned, four try victory against local city rivals Edinburgh Academy.
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With British summer time leaving us last week, the nights drawing in and all that, the game kicked off at 2pm. In what must be turning out to be one of the mildest (and driest) autumns on record as it was idyllic A1 conditions for rugby.
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The side was showing a few changes from last week with a shift of personnel from the 1st XV, namely big Jeff Nicolson. Craig Buchanan was out with a shoulder injury. Ewan Roberston was making his return at full back as well as skip Guy Hills returning after about a five weeks absence with an ankle ligament injury.
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Conditioning coach/hooker/student/barman Josh Gabriel - Clarke was back taking the lads through the warm up routine. Clearly in his element as it wasn't long before the sweat was rolling down our foreheads as we warmed up for the must win match. We have already lost three this season and vowed we aren't losing any more.
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As we approached kick off there was an air of confidence streaming through the team, it really did feel we weren't going to lose this one.
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We received the kick off and second row Ali "Big Show" Wright confidently gathered the ball and we were on our way. However we struggled to maintain this good start. Both sides spent the first ten minutes or so working each other out and it was pretty nondescript stuff. Territorially Accies dominated and appeared to be content with keeping the ball in close, executing a number of pick and drives from their tight forwards. We coped very comfortably with this and our fringe defence was first rate with the likes of Guy Hills, Ian Cordell and Big Show relishing the close contact.
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As the half progressed the game started to get wider. Accies showed good intent and had some good runners out wide. However we struck first, through dynamic and pacey left wing Gary Dempsey, back after a few weeks absent.
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Accies were executing a blind side move inside their own half, I'm unclear as to what exactly happened, but moments later Gary found himself with ball in hand about 75 metres from the try line. Superb pace and confidence to go for the line saw him race in, leaving the Accies players as well as his own in his wake to dot down under the posts. Moments later the conversion was nailed by Robbie Buchanan to make it
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7 - 0.
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The Accies lads were a bit shell-shocked by it. Having had so much territory and possession with nothing to show for it.
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Both sides continued to play enjoyable rugby. Accies enjoyed plenty of ball and spun it wide at every opportunity, but could find no way through the determined defence of the home team. We conceded a few penalties around the break down. A few within kickable range which the Accies were happy to kick for goal. Their six points came from two kicks at goal in the first half.
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It wasn't long before we'd crossed the white chalk again. This time it was No 8/flanker Guy Hills who dotted down, much to his satisfaction I'm sure.
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We'd been pressing hard on the Accies line threatening to cross from close range. A well recycled ball from the ruck saw a couple of long passes from left to right stretching the Accies defence a phase to far and Hillsie was on the end of a good pass and jinked passed his defender to score. The conversion was successful and it was
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14 - 6
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to the good.
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Our third try came towards the end of the first half. Loose head Nick Hart powered his way over in the left corner and showed great strength and power and seemed to carry a few of the Accies lads over with him, the conversion was missed, making it
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19 - 6
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and that was the score going into the second half. Stavie was content but urged us to up the work rate and wanted a convincing victory to build for Heriots next week. Tireless back row Frazer Boyd was replaced by Jeff Nicolson, who slotted in a No 8
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We scored only one more try in the second half, but the effort and intensity levels didn't fall. Jeff slotted in at two in the line out and made an immediate impact by spoiling a few of their line out throws, including a great one when they were only five metres from our line in a good attacking position.
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Fly half Brian was forced off with a knock to his hand. Rob Tweedie stepped up to the plate at fly half and with his brother Neil outside him. It made for a good combination.
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Guy Hills dotted down under the sticks for his second. The try was started by Rob Tweedie who made an initial break and carved deep into the Accies half, off loaded to Hillsie who capped off his fine performance by scampering in for his second. Robbie made no mistake with the conversion to take it to,
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26 - 6.
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Neil Tweedie had a busy game and made a few telling breaks. One in particular saw Neil make a great break and found himself one on one with the full back, put in a gorgeous chip, unfortunately his legs had packed in and didn't quite have the pace to finish the move he'd started.
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In the last ten minutes we could have had another few scores, but to be denied by the referee who spotted a forward pass to rob Neil Tweedie.
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Accies played right to the final whistle and were running everything, tapping penalties and if I recall at one point from under their own posts. Thus it was to no avail as the home defence held out well.
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At the final whistle there was a real sense of job well done amongst the team and management. Credit was dished out to the back row lads of Guy Hills and Ian Cordell who'd been tireless all afternoon. We were happy with the win which sets us up well for next week, the Hearts Hibs of rugby in Edinburgh: Heriot's.
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See you down there.
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Final score 29 - 6
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Tries: (4) Hills 2, Dempsey 1 Hart 1
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Conversions (3) R. Buchanan.
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Pen: (1) R. Buchanan.
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Accies: 2 penalties.
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RL
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watsoniansrugby.com
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Published: 4/11/07
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