Women overpower plucky Biggar to climb table
With the men having a week off, our women’s XV took centre stage at Myreside last weekend, and with several players out on representative duties, there was a degree of nervousness that visitors Biggar, starting the day on level points in the league, might cause an upset.
Thise fears seemed to be allayed early on, with Watsonians racing into an early 10-point lead, but Biggar proved to be dogged opponents, with some very dangerous and incisive runners in the backs.
But although they kept themselves in touch until the last quarter, when the pressure of the clock with the home side three scores ahead began to tell, we had too much power in all positions, plus some excellent one-on-one tackling, for the outcome to be in any real doubt.
Skipper Rachel Law led by example from 10 with some sharp running, for which she was rewarded with two tries, and tight-head Hannah McMahon proved too strong in the set piece and the loose and was very good value for her brace. Winger Dawn Lawrie and Number 8 Freya Walker completed the try scorers. The blustery conditions made kicking tricky, but winger Dawn Lawrie was successful with one conversion, and congratulations to Natalie Roberts who made her Myreside debut from the bench.
The bonus point win puts them up to second spot, four points behind Hillhead Jordanhill, but Stirling County are just one point behind with a game in hand. The girls’ next outing is not until October 31, a crucial away clash at the league leaders.
A special mention should also go to open-side Sophie McPherson for completing the Race Across the UK in aid of the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity, setting off from Dartmouth last Tuesday and finishing in Inverness on Thursday evening. Working in teams of two, the competitors had a strict budget to reach the finish line using only public transport and no map apps.
This weekend, tight-head Molly Poolman and fly-half Hannah Ramsay will be hoping to feature for Scotland in the first of two WXV Global Series fixtures against the Wallaroos in Sydney and Canberra.
Out in Africa
The revived Scotland Sevens squad were in action in Kenya last Saturday in the Safari Sevens tournament, and Watsonian favourites Daniel Kelly and Freddie Owsley were both on the scoresheets.
They opened with a 14-17 victory over Uganda Select on Friday, helped by a first half brace of tries from Daniel, now with the Edinburgh Rugby Academy. Uganda came back in the second half, assisted by two yellow cards, including Daniel, but the Scots held on.
However, they didn’t trouble the scoreboard in their second match, against eventual champions Kenya Shujaa, going down 22-0.
Freddie and Daniel both touched down in the third pool game against SportPesa Forward Legends, but a 38-17 defeat meant missing out on the knock-out phase the next day.
Back in action
After the league-wide rest weekend, the man’s teams return to action this Saturday, with the First XV at home to Edinburgh Accies, the 2nds also at home to Musselburgh and the 2As have an away fixture against Selkirk A.
After two excellent crowds for out last two home derbies against Currie and Heriot’s we’re hoping for another big turnout, despite half-term, to see if we can rack up a fourth home win on the trot and preserve our unbeaten record at Myreside.
Accies were very unlucky on their last outing, just being pipped 26-31 by Melrose at Raeburn Place, and did not disgrace themselves in losing 31-12 to Currie at Malleny the week before. They are a very different proposition to the side steamrollered 7-82 by Ayr on the second weekend of the season, and our boys will have to be on their best form to make sure of the spoils.
Lunch time
There is a lunch at Myreside before the match, free for 1875 members, £30 for members and £40 for members, so why not come down and enjoy a couple of jars and chat with your fellow supporters before the main event. The weather forecast looks good, so another super afternoon is in store.
As most of you know, the next event is what we’ve dubbed the “Hoodoo Lunch” on Friday November 6, the day before Scotland have another go at breaking the duck against the All Blacks, fresh from their Bledisloe Cup triumph.
It’s going to be a great occasion with All Blacks legend Sean Fitzpatrick and our own Gavin Hastings in conversation with BBC Scotland’s chief sports writer Tom English.
After listing Watsonians who played in test matches against the All Blacks who we know are going to be there, Big Jim Stewart has been in touch to say that he too lined up against them, at Myreside for Edinburgh in 1979.
Hopefully Jim will book himself a place at the lunch and if there are any other Watsonians who took on New Zealand, we’d be delighted to see them at the George Hotel too.
We’re also delighted to report that Hastings Investment Management has come on board as a lunch sponsor and we’re looking forward to welcoming them too.
The event is one of our major fund-raisers for the year and so very important for meeting the rising cost of fielding performance level teams, so please do what you can to support the day. Tickets are £100 including VAT for members, and £120 + VAT for non-members.
To secure your seat, drop Amanda Brown an email at amanda.brown@watsoniansrugby.com
Annual General Meeting
The club‘s AGM is scheduled to take place on Thursday, November 5 at Myreside where we’ll be able to give members a full update on our financial position and any other developments. Last year’s attendance was excellent, with some great questions and a full and frank discussion about the future, and hopefully this year will be a repeat.