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Incredibly, despite wishing the curse of the Leprechaun on the Ed. for apparently stealing the Rugby World Cup pot of Irish Gold, one of watsoniansrugby.com favourite writer, Ciaran Wilson is back in action and provides this week's 3rd VX match report:
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Stew Mel 3rd XV 12 - 10 Watsonians 3rd XV
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A glorious sunny afternoon greeted the 3rd XV as they made the short trip across the city to face high flying Stew Mel in a league fixture.
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With the previous two Saturday fixtures being cancelled by the opposition, the ‘Sonian players were keen to get some game time in.
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A flurry of last minute phone calls by Captain James “Bad Boy” McAnish ensured that the 3rd XV would have the required 15 players but without any substitutes, ‘Sonians were only too happy to agree to the Stew Mel captain’s request of 30 minute halves.
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A brief warm up ensued, characterised by much joviality and the familiar smell of last night's bender being sweated out. Spirits were high and all involved looked forward to the start of the match, but proceedings rarely run smoothly when you play for the 3rd XV. Despite having conducted a rigorous stud check and delivering an impressive debrief to the front rows, the referee was fortunate enough to gain a last minute “promotion” to the adjoining pitch as the Stew Mel 2nd XV referee had decided against showing up. Luckily, the home side managed to unearth a potential official from amidst their ranks and the game was able to get underway.
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The opening exchanges were frantic and scrappy with both teams spilling possession on a number of occasions but as the half wore on, the formidable bulk of the ‘Sonian’s pack started to put their stamp on the game.
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A series of impressive line out takes by Fraser “John Eales” Boyd allowed the 3rd’s pack to unleash an impressive driving maul which on one occasion saw the Stew Mel pack walked from the half way line back to their own try line.
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Tries looked inevitable on several occasions, but the wily heads in the Stew Mel pack managed to disrupt the momentum of the forward drives.
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Not to be outdone by their counterparts, the backs began to move the ball around stretching the opposition defence across the park.
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One such move led to the opening score, Neil Gibson skipping around several defenders on his way to touching down under the posts. Unfortunately, Gibbo’s endeavour to make the conversion as simple as possible was in vain when the resultant kick barely made the distance of the posts.
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This score seemed to galvanise the 3rd’s who quickly went on the attack again, however just as they threatened to hit top gear, the referee blew the whistle for half time - who agreed to 30 minute half’s ??
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Playing down the hill and with the wind on their backs, the 3rd XV began to play some good rugby. The forwards were impressing with some useful offloads and quick pick-and-go’s from the base of the ruck, Ally Campbell and Craig Adams in particular causing the home defence problems. However a soft turnover allowed Stew Mel to mount an attack from their own 22 metre line. The ball was spread wide to their big winger who danced inside a couple of would-be tacklers and cruised in under the posts. No such conversion issues for the home side - Stew Mel took a 2 points lead.
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It was a case of back to basics for ‘Sonians who kicked deep into the Stew Mel half. More good line out work by Boyd and James Fulforth saw the home team struggle to clear their lines and from a sliced clearance, the 3rd’s were able to mount another formidable catch and drive. This time, the home team were unable to disrupt the forward momentum and with the shouts of “touch it down” echoing from his team-mates, number 8 Wilson was able to flop over the line for an unconverted try.
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As the game moved into the final stages, the home side pressed for the score that would win them the match. Resolute defending by Mack and Gibson in midfield ensured the Stew Mel attack had no way through out wide, prompting a series of forward drives down the blind side. Repeatedly the 3rd XV tacklers repelled their opposition but as the pressure increased eventually the Home team were able to mount a powerful maul of their own which seen them rumble over for the winning score.
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Final Score: 12 - 10
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A disappointing result for the 3rd XV from a match that was certainly there for the taking. Overall, the lack of recent matches has not helped and there was a distinct “rustiness” about the ‘Sonian’s performance.
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Many new faces were blooded into the team this week, but poor attendances at training certainly added to the scrappy nature of the performance.
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A full turn out is required on Thursday as the 3rd XV look to get their season back on track.
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CW
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watsoniansrugby.com
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Published: 24/9/07
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