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Gary Heatly reports on the camera shy performance of the 1st XV.
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On a different note, one happy reader will be the father of a certain flying winger when he gets to see the highlights on the STV website (see previous article for details on finding the video). The Ed. did receive his email but the return email address did not work.
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Watsonians 16 Heriot’s 33
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Watsonians were defeated on home soil by old rivals Heriot’s on Saturday, with the visitors leapfrogging their hosts in the table as a result of the 33-16 win.
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The game was disappointing from a home perspective, the side making too many basic errors and a lack of fluidity causing frustration. There was a wonder score from flying winger Rohan Steyl, but sadly it was one piece of skill on a stuttering afternoon.
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For the game, being covered by STV for their new weekly highlights show, the backline was the same for the impressive win over Edinburgh Accies while in the pack Gregor Wood replaced the injured Steve Lawrie at hooker.
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Jeff Nicolson was a late replacement for Brad Mitchell in the second-row with the latter dropping to the bench while Nick Hart also came into the 19 leaving five forwards on the bench.
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Watsonians had the first chance of the afternoon, stand-off Mike Ker missing a long range penalty, but the first points did come for the men in maroon and white four minutes later, full-back Andrew Skeen knocking over a penalty.
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Heriot’s were level just 60 seconds later through a penalty of their own from scrum-half Graham Wilson and 10 minutes later it was 6-6, Skeen knocking over a drop goal and Wilson another penalty as neither side looked like taking the game by the scruff of the neck.
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Two more kicks were added before half time, the same two men on target with penalties, but watching what was on offer you could not help but feel that both teams had yet to get out of first gear.
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Half time – Watsonians 9 Heriot’s 9
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The game was played at a better tempo after the break and it was Heriot’s, looking for their fourth league win on the spin, who got the first try of the day.
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Full-back Colin Goudie, who looked impressive throughout the match and ran some good angles, could not believe his luck in the 54th minute when he wrestled the ball away from Steyl and drew the last defender to set up Wilson for the try, the same man converting.
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It got worse for ‘Sonians four minutes later, skipper Will Rowley leaving the field with an injury, and soon Heriot’s had added to their tally.
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The unconverted try just after the hour mark came from 'veteran' winger Marc Teague a scything break from ex-Stew-Mel man Goudie.
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Watsonians were shell shocked at this point and needed a quick repost. It came from that man Steyl, picking the ball up in his own half and out pacing the defence to delight the home crowd and add to his cracker against Accies the previous week.
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Full time - Watsonians 16 Heriot’s 33
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A frustrating day, but coach Cammy Mather and his troops will be keen to bounce back this Saturday away to GHA. The title may now be out of reach, but there is still a lot to play for with the squad eager to get back to the form they know they are capable of. Bottom side GHA will not be easy opponents though, having beaten Dundee HSFP at the weekend, so support at Braidholm would be greatly appreciated.
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Scorers: Watsonians: Try: Steyl. Pens: Skeen (2). Drop goal: Skeen. Con: Skeen.
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Watsonians: A Skeen; A Rowe, D Brown, M Mialo, R Steyl; M Ker, S Stumbles; K Traynor, G Wood, K Coertze, T Callander, J Nicolson, B Hennessey, W Rowley, J Abraham. Subs used: J Pelter, W Lipp, N Hart, B Mitchell. Sub not used: G Scott.
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GH
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watsoniansrugby.com
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Published: 13/11/07
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