2’s versus Stewarts’ Melville (hereafter referred to as ‘SM’!)

A completely new back 3, a new centre partnership and a new half back pairing – the backs really are getting shifted around these days and it’s maybe just as well that the forwards showed only one change from last week with Chooks dropping out due to a popped rib cartilage (courtesy of one of the 1st XV heavyweights on Tuesday!). The back 5 in particular are a settled unit and are settling into a good understanding of each other.
A dry day and perfect playing conditions, playing on the wide second pitch at Inverleith, were ideal for the mighty 2’s and the boys got off to a great start with fine interplay setting up the forwards for a drive to the line in the 4th minute, which was finished off by Stevie Biggart plunging over to celebrate his ‘return’ to the 2’s. Possibly he just wanted to shut up the obvious changing room banter when he was seen changing his studs before the game! Conversion made by KB – 7-0 to Hawks.
A small point here for some of the slightly less committed players. Kenny was playing instead of being on a corporate day at the Ryder Cup and was flying out for the final day immediately after the game. Couple that with the fact that he also passed up on a Real Madrid v Barcelona game last season to play the final game against Stirling and you have an idea of his attitude. Think of that the next time you’ve got a family do or office party to go to!
Unfortunately we almost immediately gave away an equalising try when SM worked an overlap on the right, McD shot up out the line , trying to tackle his U-19 colleague and Edinburgh apprentice winger, David MacAll, who took the gap and eased in for a converted try. Wonder what Peter Wright sitting on the touchline made of that?
With the forwards ruling in the lineout after last week’s shocker and good options being taken, the best try of the day, in team terms, was scored by flying full back Sean Murray, who squeezed in at the corner to the delight of his travelling fan club/family. This prompted the SM #10 to spit his dummy in fine style, launching one of his frequent tirades against the ref, who displayed remarkable tolerance in letting him remain on the pitch, given that he had made a point of telling the teams beforehand that only the captain and pack leader could approach him.
12-7 to Hawks but this soon became 12-10 when SM took a penalty opportunity, for a Hawks player being offside. The forwards started to re-assert themselves with some good ball carries but careless handling errors and some poor decision-making meant that it wasn’t until the 25th minute that the next score came with Niall Cadell keeping the ball at the front of a driving maul to score wide out. A good conversion from KB made it 19-10.
With the SM #7 in the bin for handling in the ruck after 34 minutes, Hawks should have capitalised, but sloppy play and complacency, coupled with good defence from SM, meant that we only had another forwards effort from Robbie Alexander to show for our endeavours before half-time.

HALF TIME: Hawks 26 SM 10

With the wind behind us in the 2nd half, playing for territory was the focus of the team talk, but it was the hosts who responded and a penalty and a converted try meant that within 4 minutes the lead was down to 6 points. To give them credit SM played the ref better for the next 20 minutes or so, slowing down Hawks ruck ball by handling and entering rucks and mauls from the side. A little bit more composure would have given us the score we needed to settle nerves, but possession just wasn’t being converted into points. Frustration showed on the pitch and Kiddsy got involved with his opposite number, who apparently was a foreigner but that just applies to anyone who isn’t from Ayrshire!

However with both teams tiring in the warm conditions, it was Hawks who finished the stronger and mild mannered Gordy MacFadyen found himself at the bottom of the pile after another lineout drive with 5 minutes to go, to take the score to 31-20.
There was only enough time for the referee to sin bin Mark Oatey for handling at the only ruck he went into all day before the final whistle went.

FINAL SCORE: Hawks 31 SM 20

Strange but the areas where we were poor last week were a strength this week and vice versa. However as KB said in the changing room “sometimes you just have to take an ugly win”.
Next week it’s Boroughmuir away so another ugly win will do fine. Numbers at training help, so let’s see everyone down both nights as training is still going well. Good news for everyone that the 1sts won and competition for places is growing. Gav McDonald going up to the 1sts proves this – well done Gav. Students returning helps, so we can only get stronger.

This article was originally posted on 24-Sep-2006, 08:35 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 25-Sep-2006, 08:25.