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Richard Latimer is back to provide this week's match report:
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Watsonians 2nd XV v Ayr 2nd XV
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Date: Saturday 25th November 2007.
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Venue: Myreside.
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Watsonians 2nd XV scored seven tries to record an emphatic 43 - 8 victory against their west coast opponents Ayr.
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Back on familiar territory at Myreside and on M2, the 2nd XV assembled in dribs in drabs for the 2pm KO on what was a dreich, windy afternoon in November (or is it Movember? Judging by some of the facial hair efforts from some of the first's lads).
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Josh Gabriel Clarke took us through his familiar warm up routine. Josh himself wasn't playing, struggling with a shoulder injury so it was good to see him putting the lads through their paces. In all honesty the warm up was quite sloppy and sluggish and not its usual slick self.
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Maybe this was due to the fact that it was nearing kick off and the Ayr lads were no where to be seen. Eventually they arrived and in light of their last minute arrival, it was agreed to delay the kick off by ten minutes or so.
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Receiving the kick off and in the gloom of the afternoon the game was under way. It wasn't long before we were showing our domination. The point was made about hitting Ayr early and taking advantage of the fact they were cold off the bus.
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It wasn't long until we opened the scoring and I think I'm accurate in saying that hooker come scrum half Sam Healey...sorry Paulo showed a good turn of pace as well as strength to beat several tackles and race in down the left wing for the dot down. Recently returned from exile fly half Scott Kennedy confidently nailed the conversion to make it 7 - 0.
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We were on our way and feeling good about how we were playing. Second Row Richie Latimer claimed the proceeding kick off and we were off and running (literally) again. New back row man Jamie (sorry I don't know your surname.) was having a field day with the ball in hand running hard at the opponents and he was making some excellent yards. It is in behind the gain line that we play are best rugby. This gave his back row colleagues of Cordell and Hills good targets to run off.
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Our second try wasn't long in coming through Ian Cordell who was tireless in support and took a lovely inside pass from centre Tweedie and showed good strength to score his first of the season. Naturally he was delighted. Kennedy was good with the conversion. 14 - 0.
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Midway through the first half and a lapse in concentration and some dubious line clearing say Ayr score there one (and only) try. A scrappy line out about 10 metres from our line which started the rot and it ended with a knock on and a terribly misjudged volley clearance (no names, you know who you are!) and their openside fell on it to take it to 14 - 5.
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My recollection is a bit hazy, sorry (too knackered to remember) I know Mr Wood bagged a brace so possibly his first came in the first half although I wouldn't swear by it your Honour.
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Near the end of the first half scrum half Robbie Buchanan went on one of his typical sniping runs up the blind side and at the end of it, wasn't quick to get up again as he'd taken a smack right on the nose and was forced off. This saw Sam Healey...sorry Paulo slot from hooker to scrum half (as you do.)
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At half time it was about 19 -8. Stavie and backs coach Fobo talked about our apparent inability to finish off good scoring opportunities. So we began the second half determined to rectify this concern.
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In the second half we played our best rugby and really did play some entertaining stuff. The pressure was on Ayr and they could not handle it when we ran hard at them and recycled quick ball. Back row and Captain Guy Hills scored a well taken try when he found himself at the back of the ruck with the ball at his feet, went to pass to the back and thought "hold on a moment" and the Ayr defence did just that, leaving a neat gap for Hillsie to gas though and go under the posts.
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The next try wasn't too long in coming and it was scored by busy right winger Stuart Mack. Centre Tweedie made a telling break up the right flank and found himself in bags of space and two on one with the last defender, floated a nice pass out the Mack who timed his run to perfection and dotted down nicely in the corner to cap off a fine individual performance (but the man wasn't finished yet.)
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As full time drew near and with the game well won, the lads were trying all sorts of audacious tricks. One memorable moment was created and almost wonderfully finished off by the aforementioned Mack. He received a pretty nondescript pass and with nothing on whatsoever manufactured a gorgeous half scissor kick chip which cleared the Ayr defender, Mack chased and hacked the ball ahead only to be narrowly beaten to the touch down by their No 8, for what would have surely been a contender for try of the season (in my opinion).
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The last try of the game came from the electric feet of Woody. A classic individual score in the ever increasing gloom. He fielded an Ayr kick on or around the half way and proceeded to step and jink his way to the try line. Andy Irvine in his pomp would have been proud.
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Kennedy successfully nailed his fourth conversion of the afternoon to take the final score to 43 - 8.
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All in all a good performance from the home team and sets us up well for a tough series of games in December in the lead up to Christmas, every ones favourite time of the year, especially when it comes to training.
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RL
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watsoniansrugby.com
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Published: 26/11/07
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