’Sonians bid for Borders bounce-back
“If we’re not at our best we will come up short….” So said last week’s newsletter and while I can’t claim great powers of foresight, a howling gale at Hawick was never going to be the best platform for our swashbuckling brand of rugby.
And so it proved, as the weather became the 16th man in green as we struggled to make the most of the conditions in the first half when they were in our favour. It was all too familiar for those of us who were at Malleny last season.
However, Hawick should have played half the game looking for a 15th man, after a quite blatant punch on Fin Mather – you could hear the smack in the stand – was missed by both the touch judge and referee. It was a clear red card, as the very quiet Hawick crowd knew only too well. Very unfortunately, we were told Hawick’s video of the match failed so there is no recording, but the matter is being raised with the SRU.
It was never a day to be chasing the game and a series of blunders, not all of our making, led to the opening Hawick try and a lead they were never to lose, when we had been applying consistent pressure in their 22.
From 14-0 down we did well to come back to 14-12 at the break, and we kept in touch at 22-17. But the conditions didn’t suit our normal adventurous style, and their kicking game kept us pinned back.
At 29-17 with minutes left it looked dead and buried until Boston Kerapa’s surging run through the middle to go in under the posts and a straightforward conversion for 29-24 made a dramatic end possible.
It was a forlorn hope, and a penalty at the death denied us a losing bonus point, much to coach Davey Wilson’s frustration. At least we got the try bonus point, with Boston’s core possibly the pick of the bunch, although Max Garry’s opener in the corner was deft.
The others went to hooker Matt Pritchard, from another rolling maul to add to his haul from last week, and scrum half Preston Bryden, making his first start for the club and being rewarded for a tenacious performance with selection in the Offside Line team of the week.
Turning to this weekend, the forecast is good and should suit our style, but getting the better of a Kelso side whose tails will be well up after their thumping 39-22 defeat of Melrose at Poynder last weekend, will require a supreme effort.
We are unbeaten at Myreside this season, and that’s a record we obviously want to preserve going into the international break, and with league leaders Ayr our next visitors on November 28.
Kelso have been something of a bogey team in recent seasons, and they way they have being going − giving Ayr a 26-28 scare and catching out GHA at Braidholm by 33-35 −
We’ll settle for matching last season’s opening fixture when we came out on top by 36-20.
The match is the first leg of the Clive Millar Cup, a trophy instituted by Scott Hastings in memory of the late flanker, a Borders Watsonian who starred for the school and both our clubs, the outcome determined by the aggregate score over the two league games.
Clive’s wife Hazel and their daughters will be joining us for the match, and we hope it’s a suitably entertaining occasion.
Our latest quality Australian acquisition Tom Wheen will make his home starting debut for the first XV in the second row, and loose head Don Voas will make his 50th appearance for the club. Don has played the full 80 in every game this season, a magnificent effort. Just like the old days!
Women take on league leaders
The women’s XV are back in action with a challenging trip to league leaders Hillhead Jordanhill RFC. We are just behind in second place, and the girls are confident that if the take their A game they can cause an upset.
It doesn’t seem that long ago since the Sarah Beaney Cup final when we beat the Hill J’s 46-12, but the circumstances are different and it will be a much tighter affair.
Last time out was the 32-17 win over Biggar on October 10, while Hillhead beat Cartha 48-19 the night before, so both teams will be hoping to keep up the momentum.
With a 1pm kick-off, the game is being live-streamed so we hope we can watch the action in the pavilion before the Kelso match. Come along and have a pint!
Seconds enjoy victory on the road
The 2nds had a memorable afternoon at Marr last weekend, travelling with just the 15 starters, but Finn Broomfield’s men came away with a 10-26 triumph, putting us fifth in the table. Scorers were a brace for centre James Hamilton with one apiece for second row Sean Moriarty and scrum-half Donald McCormack.
This weekend we host our friends from over the road, Boroughmuir, who are lying in seventh place, with a 2pm start.
And great news is that we not only have a 2As tomorrow to take on Lasswade 2nds (2pm kick-off), but as of his afternoon enough players for a full 2nds bench and 2As replacements.
For any club to be able to field 64 players, 86 including the women, as well as those injured or unavailable, is a tremendous achievement and our thanks must go to all coaches and team managers for such a sterling effort.
AGM this Thursday
We hope as many members can come to Myreside this Thursday, November 5 for the annual AGM, and an update on where the club sits off the field. We are looking at a substantial five-figure operating loss this season, so to hear what we can do about it and to make your views known, please come along. 7pm start
Have your say
To assist the process of member feedback, we have compiled a member survey which is easy to complete and should take only five minutes. Your views are very important as we take decisions which could have far-reaching consequences for the future of the club.
Watsonian Football Club - Member Questionnaire – Fill in form
The Hoodoo Lunch
And of course the next day we have the Hoodoo Lunch at the George Hotel, with Gavin Hastings and Sean Fitzpatrick in conversation with the BBC’s Tom English and with around 120 places sold it promises to be a cracking afternoon.
If you’ve not booked a place it’s a bit late, but we’ll do our best to squeeze you in!