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Unexpectedly, the Ed. received a second match report of last week's hammering by Melrose. This might be a sign of how shell shocked the 4th XV were, that they would provide 2 reports of possibly their heaviest defeat ever.
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The Ed. is of course delighted to have a new eager and talented volunteer to add to the list of correspondents, especially as Neil Freshwater provides his own introduction:
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Worried that he should know the team better so as not to forget the names of all the try scorers, Neil Freshwater decided this was a good a week as any to put pen to paper for the match reports.
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4th XV "blip" despite "youngest and lightest"
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The 4th XV suffered a minor "blip" this weekend to their recent successes, following a hard-fought battle away to Melrose. After a team briefing at Myreside, the squad tackled the Tynecastle-bound traffic and onwards to the quaint Borders town.
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Things looked good as the finishing touches were put to the team sheet in the changing rooms at Greenyards, with a number of the usual backs filling in the scrum. Manager/Coach Rod Hathway agreed this was the "youngest and lightest [not "brightest" as one player mis-heard] fourth squad ever".
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The second leg of the journey was to find the infamous "Glebe" playing fields. After ten minutes of walking studs-on-pavement, it was agreed that any field would do, so long as most of the livestock was removed and there was at least some effort to create pitch markings.
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Alas, the well turned-out Melrose 3rd XV (matching tracksuits and all) came into view, contrasting with the hotchpotch grouping of (to quote a previous writer) the sick, the lame and the generally untrained.
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After a (further) 10-minute extension to warm-up, the match got underway. Things looked positive in the first few minutes, but it wasn't long before the home team had their first breakthrough and scored a try. Shrugging-off this early blow, the dream team pushed on with a few good moves, but soon the hosts began to stamp their mark.
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A number of further tries were scored before a short team briefing under the post aimed to get things back on track. One prominent member of the backs acknowledged the recent try was due to Watsonians "missing nine [expletive removed] tackles!".
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Play resumed with a well rounded kick by McDougall, ably connecting with Mustard as he paced forward on the attack. Unfortunately, he quickly met with his opponent and was temporarily out of action. Despite a further brave 10 minutes, the young player conceded and was taken to Borders General Hospital for further examination of his troubling (left and writing arm) shoulder.
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Observing pitch-side, one visiting touch ref believed he was best placed manning the touch line for the entire game, given the recent events. That was until one Melrose forward rightly observed, "you're holding the flag in the wrong hand".
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The second-half got off to a very positive start, with changes including Gillespie's move from wing to second row following a 10 minute stint on the touch-line.
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Early on, the visitors began to break the curse and took more possession as the rain started. A number of chances were created, with some good scrums and lineouts and a genuine feeling that all might not be lost.
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Determined not to leave a blank scorecard, the squad battled on keeping a good amount of play in the opponent's half, although rarely making the 22-metre line. A particularly good effort from Captain Hourcastagné left him with a rather impressive shiner to the nose.
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Despite fighting to the end, Melrose broke through for a number of further tries, with some converted.
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By the final whistle, the visitors were pleased with their improved second-half efforts but acknowledged an impressive performance from the home team.
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Injuries and banter continued in the locker room after one player managed to gas half the squad with an overdose of spray deodorant, and when one front-rower, after having been spotted chatting regularly with the referee was asked if he knew the guy replied, "Not at all. I was simply negotiating to see if he might cut us some slack!"
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The most impressive part of the day was the speed with which NHS Borders managed to turn round a shoulder x-ray, which was closely examined by the team. One young parent in the clubhouse was heard questioning what was more painful - the broken bone or the South African rugby score on TV? We wish Mr Mustard a speedy recovery and luck for his exams in the coming week.
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After enjoyable hospitality in the Borders, Watsonians look forward to welcoming Melrose to Myreside for a repeat match later in the season.
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Final score: Melrose 3rd XV 74 - 0 Watsonians 4th XV
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NF
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watsoniansrugby.com
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Published: 5/12/07
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