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Watsonians 2nd XV v Stewart's Melville 2nd XV
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Venue: Myreside, Edinburgh
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Date Saturday 29th March 2008. Kick off 3pm.
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The last game of the season for the 2 XV ended on damp note as we lost to a well organised and determined Stewart's Melville side who were fighting for their survival to remain in the top flight of 2nd XV rugby, and it showed in their play.
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It was a blustery, changeable spring afternoon in Edinburgh as we assembled for our last game of the 2007/ 08 season. Fielding a noticeably different side from the one which defeated Heriots the week before. Ben Di Rollo pulled out at the 11th hour and was replaced by 3rd XV star David Leslie. Centre Neil Tweedie was unavailable due to other commitments. Causing a few headaches for management and players alike forcing us to pinch a few players from the 3rds much to Badboys disgust. Stuart Mack slotted in at centre and Mixu McPhilips at hooker. The later arrived in good fettle with Jamie Stephenson giggling at each other recounting the banter from the night before.
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Our referee for the afternoon was Nick Hart. An ex Watsonian player from a few seasons ago. Hart earned the nick name as the “Hit Man” due to his abrasive style of play. I believe he is in his first season as a referee. Best of luck to him.
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We kicked off and the early action was fast and committed. It was clear they were up for the challenge and were even keener to stay up given their lowly spot in the league.
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We were keen to play an open game and had last game of the season syndrome. Captain Scott asked us to throw the ball about keeping it away from contact. This was the basics of a simple game plan.
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They scored two fast tries within about 15 minutes. It seemed we'd hardly been out of our own half. Their second score came after a catch and drive at the line out. I'm sorry to report we were driven over from about 15 metres out.
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We regrouped under the posts and vowed to get into the game. We attacked hard, however were well marshalled in the backs. Centre Stuart Mack was given little space or time to show his flare. While winger Dempsey wasn't given much ball to show his raw pace.
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We spent much of the game defending. With Craig Buchanan putting in some big strong hits around the fringes, stopping their strong runners. While wing forward Ian Cordell was making the usual nuisance of himself at the break down. However too often they broke our first line of defence getting in behind us and played their best rugby.
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We found ourselves getting agitated. There was plenty of sledging flying around which is fairly routine. However the referee Hart was having none of it. On several occasions he summoned both Captains to warn them against backchat. Captain Scott made it clear that backchat would not be tolerated. Unfortunately this advice didn't sink in to everyone as some of the more volatile lads were getting frustrated.
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As the game continued it felt pretty stop-start with no flow. We conceded a handful of kickable penalties.
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By half time we'd conceded three tries and had failed to register a point of our own. This was rare, particularly at home. Coach Stavie wasn't happy and wanted more hunger. We needed to score first in the second half.
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Receiving kick off in the second half we played with the wind to our backs. At this time we still had fifteen players on the pitch. However by the end the team had a more rugby league feel to it, finishing with 13 players.
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Not wanting to name and shame however a few red cards were awarded for both teams.
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We showed little in the way of flare but replaced that with plenty of guts and commitment or to coin a phrase “dog”. In fact we dominated the last ten minutes and were knocking hard on their line as they conceded a string of penalties close to their line. Craig Buchanan took a quick tap from his brother. Smashing it up and went very close to scoring. This gave us a real second wind setting up successive drives for their line. We did cross the try line (I think it was Ian Cordell who carried it over) but unfortunately the referee was on the wrong side to see the touch down, and with a lack of TMO no try was awarded.
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Near the end wing Gary Dempsey finally got the ball in a bit of space. He rounded his winger and went very close however was well tackled by the fullback. Not able to to get the offload which would have set up a certain try for his nearby support runners.
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Our only points of the game came from the boot of Robbie who slotted a token penalty, but by this time the game was well and truly over as a contest.
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The wheels well and truly came off when captain Scott was taken out by a flying elbow. The visiting winger attacked with ball in hand about midfield. Scott ploughed in to make the tackle and for his troubles was greeted with a stiff arm across the side of his head. It was a cheap shot and signalled the end of Garys game as he was groggily assisted off the pitch to chew the cud and regain his bearings!
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By full time we had been well beaten by a hungrier and better drilled team. It was a disappointing afternoon and not the way we had wanted to end the season.
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Full time score 35 - 3
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Special mention to Dave Leslie who stepped in at the 11th hour to play fly half. Leslie ran the back line really well showing some really good touches and kicked well from hand.
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Craig “Burhill” Buchanan was a trooper and never lay down, putting in some big hits and carried well.
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So that is it for the 2nd XV 2007/2008 season. Bring on the 7's!
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RL
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watsoniansrugby.com
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Published: 6/4/08
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