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Forresters 2nd XV 24 - 0 Watsonians 3rd XV
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The Third XV made the short journey across the city to Craigmount for a re-arranged league fixture against the team currently lying in pole position for the title, Forresters.
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Despite fielding a much under-strength team, the Third’s had only lost out narrowly to their opponents in the home fixture, earlier in the season. With many of the Sonians “regulars” available to Coach Easton for this encounter, hopes were high of gaining a result which would throw the league wide open.
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An early kick off was scheduled around the pending “Super Saturday,” marking the final round of matches in this years 6 Nations Championship. As ever, this proved to be of great difficulty to certain squad members and as kick off approached only the arrival of second row Tom Ferveshire enabled Sonians to take the field with a full compliment of players. That said, the full compliment included two forwards acting as makeshift backs, so once again preparations were not as they should have been.
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In the pack, young Richard Latimer showed no nerves following his call-up from the seconds and quickly took control of the warm up, whilst the visiting Sonians team received a further boost when a familiar referee turned up in a brand new pair of boots - no early whistles this week!!
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The game kicked of with the home team enjoying the wind advantage in the first half. Early exchanges were frenetic but it was the visitors who appeared to settle quickest, putting together some decent phases and playing their way in behind the opposition defence.
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Strong drives from back-rowers Learmonth and Wilson, along with some excellent running lines from Nicolson and his centre partner Chris?? (apologies mate, didn’t get your surname) saw Sonians pile the pressure on the home team, however the Forresters pack defended strongly and were able to kept their try line safe.
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Gradually, the balance of play began to shift as the home side increased the physicality at the breakdown. Sonians were no longer getting the quick ball they needed and a series of strong drives saw the Forresters pack take play deep into their opponents half. A period of stout goal line defending was in vain as after several phases the Forresters centre stormed through a gap to score under the posts. The conversion was a formality.
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With the home side in the ascendancy, the Sonians touchline supporters’ number was swollen to 1 - i.e. the Coach made an appearance. Cricket practice must have been particularly bad tempered that morning, as Easton was in confrontational mood. Few of his charges escaped the “hair-dryer” treatment, however the Thirds’ line was soon under pressure once more.
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Again the visitors put bodies on the line in an attempt to prevent a further score before half time, prop Euan Lyster battling on with the use of only one arm seemed to typify the effort being put in. Alas, once more it was all to be in vain as Forresters barged their way over the line for another converted try before half time.
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Half Time: 14 - 0
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The Coach shuffled his pack at half time. McAinsh moved up into the front row, prop Campbell moved onto the flank, centre Chris moved into second row and number 8, Learmonth (reluctantly) took up an unfamiliar position in midfield. Strong running and increased offloads were to be the order of the second half, although Sonians would first have to get their hands on the ball.
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Buoyed by a large home support Forresters were proving comfortable in possession, ably preventing the opposition from getting any territory or momentum. The Sonians forwards worked tirelessly to steal the ball at the breakdown, however the home side were in no mood to give it up without a fight.
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As the half progressed the Third’s forwards were guilty of stepping over the line of legality, the referee awarding a penalty for handling on the ground which was duly converted to leave the visitors 3 scores adrift.
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With time slipping away, Sonians needed to throw the kitchen sink at Forresters if they were to gain anything from the match. A short spell of possession ensued for the visitors who, led by the strong running Learmonth began to cause the home defence problems. Quick ball allowed openside flanker Latimer to race deep into the opposition half however he was hauled to the ground by the covering fullback just as it looked like he may go all the way. Possession was retained, but despite powerful surges from McAinsh, McMillan and Carson, the home defence would not be breached.
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With the clock counting down, Forresters mounted a counter attack that saw the deflated Sonians players back on their own goal line. In virtually the final play of the contest, the impressive home centre powered through another gap to score his second of the match and indeed the conversion preceded the final whistle.
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Full Time: 24 - 0
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Sometimes in sport you have to accept that the better team beat you. Forresters are top of the league for a reason and despite a huge effort from the Third XV players, the result was as comfortable as the score line suggests. That said, Coach Easton had asked his charges to give everything they had and going by the number of battered individuals in the changing room, they certainly did.
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Next up - A home fixture against city rivals Heriot’s !!
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CW
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watsoniansrugby.com
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Published: 19/3/08
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