Dear Diary,

What a pleasure it is to be with the 2nd XV when Liam McDermid is playing. We have seen it all before, the sensational extracts from ‘the tries I wished I had scored’ scrapbook, like Allan Glens last year when he dashed from beneath our posts to score beneath theirs, Lenzie earlier this season when he kicked ahead from our 22 and scored under their posts, and today he added another, breaking from our 22 outside two University players, inside another and outside a fourth who obviously thought he could prevail in the tackle, but missed by a number of metres. Under the posts he went, and I am able to attach a photograph, courtesy of Sky News, of his smile in the aftermath.


A few minutes before kick-off Bill Criggie was switched to the first fifteen because some plonker there had forgotten to bring his kit; god, it’s not like the old days, when in such circumstance one would have nipped round to Byres Road and bought a new set, rather than face the ridicule of team-mates. Fortunately Chuck McIlroy was about, to step into the vacant fly-half position. Like Bill, he is a class act, and although taking some time to settle, by the second half was running the show with aplomb. It demonstrates how far the 2nd XV have come in the last two years that they can shrug off the loss of a star player.


For the second home game running Captain O’Callaghan spilled the kick-off: how about standing really deep in future? However, four minutes later he redeemed himself by trundling over from two metres following good work by most people including Gordy Reid. That was the scoring for some considerable time. The University were stronger than anticipated and put up a very good show for a very long time. The referee displayed his more than adequate knowledge of the laws but this led to a stuttering game. Perhaps he was under pressure through the presence of an assessor. At least he established the off-side lines that are so important at any level of the game. After a very long time Gordy Reid scored following a scramble on the university line. There followed the delightful try by McDermid described above, and suddenly the floodgates opened as the backs found their passing rhythm and Lewis was put away on the outside, to run round under the posts and McIlroy followed following a fine midfield break. In one notable incident, the university stand-off was flattened under his own posts by the simultaneous joint attention of the GHK open and blind-side wing forwards.


In the bar after the game it became apparent there is a multi cultural feel to the team, with a Zimbabwean, a South African, a New Zealander and one who is effectively Irish, in addition to a few Scottish members. Further discussion took place about forming a 3rd XV. With commitment from only a few more players this would be easily achieved: if you are interested or have friends who will play, please make yourself known to [email protected] . In addition there is a proposal to have a long lunch in Edinburgh on 25 February, before the Scotland - England match; if you will attend please advise Alex. The atmosphere in the bar was greatly enhanced by the good news from Currie and Biggar.


The team was Kennedy, McGonnigle, MacRae, Shillady, McDermid, McIlroy, R. Johnstone, A Reid, G. Reid, Gribben, Fuchs, O’Callaghan, Christie, Graydon, MacLeod. Substitutes Makusha, Lewis, Neilson, Taylor. Touch judges McNair and Watson. Man of the match McIlroy. The performance of the substitutes is improving markedly as they are being given more playing time.


My thanks to McGonigle for pointing out that his name has one ‘n’ rather than two. It is a tribute to the popularity of this web site that we are two-thirds through the season before he noticed!


Where do all the 1st XV players go when they’re not injured? Well this week there was a welcome change with a few of them appearing for the 2nd XV. It was noticed that the club President watched much of the match and this is a further welcome change that is to be applauded. Final score 33-0. As the fixture was a double-header, the previous match having been cancelled, played 14 won 10.


Two Saturdays hence we will be responding to a challenge issued by Glasgow Academicals 2nd XV. Next week, the big one, to secure promotion; Marr at home, kick-off 15.00 hours. I hope that all the squad will take cognisance of this, attend training, moderate their alcohol intake on Friday and extend their sleeping time.

This article was posted on 29-Jan-2006, 20:35 by Hugh Barrow.