|
Ace reporter Gary Heatly perform another feast of reporting this week: a match report, a goodbye to departing players and some festive Cheers, all in the same article!
|
|
|
|
Melrose 12 Watsonians 20
|
|
|
|
Watsonians First XV headed into the Christmas break with smiles on their faces after a superb 20-12 victory at The Greenyards on Saturday.
|
|
|
|
Indeed, it seems so long since the top team have won in Melrose that when they did the last time Second XV skipper Gary Scott was still at school and club Captain Bad Boy was not even old enough to drive his taxi on the streets of Edinburgh. Please note one or both of these facts may be incorrect, but suffice to say they do not win there often.
|
|
|
|
Anyway, the win was their second in the league in a row after an impressive performance against Boroughmuir in the snow last week. Hopefully the form will continue in 2008 as second place behind the runaway leaders from Meggetland is still up for grabs.
|
|
|
|
On Saturday Jamie Wood, a member of the GWC class of 2003 who has been starring for the seconds this term, made his debut in the centre, replacing Mala Mialo. Young Woody did well and was named man of the match by his team mates, although he forgot to bring his required refreshments for the bus trip after the match, a cardinal sin...
|
|
|
|
Full-back Scott Stumbles was playing his last match before heading back to Oz, while the pack remained the same. Off the bench, Scott Kennedy, stand-off/full-back and son of Watsonians legend Euan, made a return to top team action for the first time since getting back from his travels (volume 2) while back-row Jamie Rennie made his First XV debut.
|
|
|
|
It was the home side who made the quicker start though and Watsonians were looking shaky as home stand-off Scott Wight kicked three penalties to give them a 9-0 lead. A penalty by visiting stand-off Andrew Skeen made it 9-3 at the break.
|
|
|
|
Half time: Melrose 9 Watsonians 3
|
|
|
|
In the second half there was a five minute spell which won the game for 'Sonians. First winger Ali 'Albert' Rowe edged ever closer to ten tries for the season with another precious one and he is having his best campaign for the club so far. Then Skeen himself scored a try against his former side and with the same man converting them both the visitors had taken the lead for the first time. It was one they did not relinquish either, further penalties being swapped between Skeen and Wight, to make it 20-12 to Cammy Mather's charges.
|
|
|
|
Full time: Melrose 12 Watsonians 20
|
|
|
|
A good win and by the time the squad arrived back at the clubhouse they were in good spirits, the departing Stumbles dressed as a reindeer AND sleigh. When the seconds arrived back from Aberdeen a while later there was even more fancy dress on show with a few inebriated Santa's arriving much to the hilarity of the third XV players and your correspondent who were enjoying a few quiet-ish pints.
|
|
|
|
The top team return to action on Saturday, January 5 when they take on Glasgow Hawks at Myreside. This is the day of the former players' reunion so expect to hear about the good old days at least a few times.
|
|
|
|
Along with Stumbles, Third XV players Andrew Lowndes and Pat Crawley are also leaving the club. The South African and American gap year students respectively have enjoyed their stint at the club and we hope to see them and Scott back at the club at some point in the future.
|
|
|
|
Scorers: Watsonians: Tries: Rowe, Skeen. Pens: Skeen 2. Cons: Skeen 2.
|
|
|
|
Watsonians: S Stumbles; A Rowe, J Wood, D Brown, C McWilliam; A Skeen, E Howe; K Traynor, G Wood, K Coertze, T Callander, W Lipp, J Abraham, B Hennessey, J Pelter. Subs used: S Kennedy, J Rennie.
|
|
|
|
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our avid readers!
|
|
|
|
GH
|
|
watsoniansrugby.com
|
|
Published: 17/12/07
|
|
|