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One of watsoniansrugby.com's favourite writer, James McDougall, makes a welcome return to match reporting:
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By an ironic twist of fate, the Fourth XV's first match of 2008 was against the team that had thrashed them in their last game of 2007. There were, however, reasons for optimism: Firstly, it was rumoured Melrose thirds, like France, don't travel well. This is supposedly due to there being a large number of farmers in the team (or should that be a number of large farmers) who cannot afford time away from the farm. (That's Melrose Thirds, not France, by the way).
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Also, the home team had a stronger look about it. (Credit to Rod for his determined efforts.) Club captain, James 'Bad Boy' McAinsh, took his bow for the fourths this season, although in the minutes before kick off his participation was seriously in doubt when he became trapped in his jersey and was unable to breath. A suggestion to 'buy a tent' was not well received by the amiable giant. The rest of the front row was made up of the not inconsiderable presence of Dougie Meikle and Euan Lyster. In the boiler house was veteran Alistair Raitt (who is one of the few players in the game to alternate between second row and full back) and newcomer Chris Nicholson. The back row looked particularly formidable with Charlie Crawford sandwiched between fellow veteran Martin Macari and another youngster James Bunkle. Mr Bunkle would like it pointed out that he has heard all the jokes in existence about carbuncles so there will be no attempt to make a weak reference to hideous immovable objects blotting the landscape. Chunky, incidentally, was at a wedding.
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At half back, the versatile medico, Chris James, teamed up with your correspondent, whilst a new pairing of Brian Mitchell and George Tallboy filled the centre positions. Experience was the name of the game in the back three with Kenny Campbell and Clark Gillespie on the wings. Both did well to make the starting XV - Campbell because of the recent production of twins, and Gillespie who finally managed to borrow a pair of boots. The number XV jersey was filled, as always, by Capitaine Hourcastagné.
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Melrose dominated the early exchanges aided by the slope and a fresh breeze. However, Chris James put in one early hit which sent a message of intent to the opposition. This was followed by a couple of tackles from Mr Buncle, the like of which have not been seen in a 4th XV match since Findlay Calder once play against us in the 1990s. It was clear that this Watsonians team was going to be a totally different proposition from the one that folded in the previous match. The visitors changed tactics for a while and launched some high kicks. Most of these were dealt with very well by the back three, but one of them swirled in the wind at the last minute and Philippe failed to gather. 'Zut, zut' uttered the disgruntled Frenchman, followed by further unprintable expletives, this time in English. He did however make up for this later in the half with a great take, storming run and well executed kick.
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Melrose scored an early try, but the less said the better, as your correspondent bought a non existent dummy from his opposite man who waltzed unopposed under the posts. Undeterred, Watsonians bounced back with a try of simple beauty. Crawford picked up from the base of a ruck and went blind. He fed Bad Boy who in turn slipped the ball to Kenny Campbell who darted up the left wing to score in the corner. Mitchell converted.
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The home team fell behind just before half time but there was an element of bad luck about this. The youthful veteran Macari had been all round the pitch to good effect. He made a despairing, some would say foolhardy, attempt at a tackle with an outstretched arm which ended his participation in the game and quite possibly the connection between the muscle and the bone. During the confusion of substitutions and repositionings Melrose scored.
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With seconds to go before half time your attack minded correspondent suggested that anyone who got their hands on the ball just hoof it to touch. This defeatist talk seemed to annoy the forwards because in the last scrum, the ball was won against the head and Crawford picked and rampaged home from half way.
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Half time: Watsonians 12 Melrose 12
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With the wind and slope in the second half the home team was in a strong position. The loss of Macari was a blow but this gave Fuller the chance to show what he could do (which was quite a bit). On the wing, Freshwater replaced Gillespie who reckons his borrowed boots now have to last 4 games until retirement. The two centres Tallboy and Mitchell showed what they could do with ball in hand with some promising breaks but unfortunately they were not given many opportunities to shine. In the forwards things were starting to get a bit tasty and the referee, David Harris, sin binned a Melrose player for throwing a punch at Norrie, who had come on at half time. Norrie was spared the bin because, by his own admission, although he had aimed a punch, he missed. Crawford continued to cause problems and from another break out a try looked on. Alas, his pass to Campbell did not go to hand.
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Things began to turn after that especially when Crawford limped off with a sore neck. He was replaced by Frobisher who has no connection with Marjorie in 'To the Manor Born' or to the character in 'Damages' played by Ted Danson (who has aged significantly since his days in 'Cheers'). The substitutions were completed when Turnbull came on for Lyster. Melrose defended solidly when they had to and started to launch some nice handling moves. It wasn't long before they crossed the home line and despite some sterling defence scored 22 unanswered points in the second half.
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Final score: Watsonians 12 Melrose 34
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Man of the Match: Chris Nicholson
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Quotes:
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'My wife is coming to watch to make sure I am not playing.' Coach Rod Hathaway explains why he is not stripped.
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'At last I can breathe.' Bad Boy finally gets his strip off.
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'Have you ever seen 'Carry on Up the Khyber'?' Clark Gillespie asks an important question to Philippe.
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'With the score at 12-12, we were leading at half time!' McDougall's puzzling post match analysis.
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JM
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watsoniansrugby.com
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Published: 27/1/08
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