We take a look back at some highlights from the inaugural FOSROC Super6 campaign...
With today (March 28) due to have been the FOSROC Super6 final date we thought we'd take a look back on six highlights from Watsonians regular season in the competition as they achieved eight wins from 10 between November and earlier this month:
1. Comeback in the opening game
The team managed a superb comeback to defeat the Southern Knights 14-13 at The Greenyards in November.
The Knights had a lot of possession in the opening 60 minutes of the clash in the Borders while Watsonians had three men in the sin bin at various stages and also had to deal with an injury to tighthead prop Jack Stanley after 33 minutes.
As a result the home side were 13-0 up as the hour mark came and went, but superb defence and a willingness to dig in for each other kept Watsonians in with a sniff.
The kicking games of captain Lee Millar and centre Joe Reynolds then started to pin the Knights back in their half and the forwards took confidence from that, starting to punch holes in the defence and make real yards.
And in the 63rd and 69th minutes respectively Reynolds and fellow centre Lewis Berg scored tries converted by Millar as they secured a famous one point triumph.
2. Five tries at Goldenacre
Matches between old rivals Watsonians and Heriot's are always tasty and with this one in November being streamed live on the internet there was an extra bit of edge.
Two brilliant tries from winger Lomond Macpherson and centre Joe Reynolds - as well as a conversion by skipper Lee Millar - gave 'Sonians 12 points at the break, but Heriot's were on 17.
Six minutes after the interval Watsonians were level when some lovely footwork by winger Angus Guthrie saw him go over for a try on the left.
A second try came from Scotland under-20 cap Macpherson in the 54th minute to give the team a four try bonus point and a 22-17 lead.
A Millar penalty and then a converted try by hooker Cal Davies meant that the visitors had scored 20 unanswered points after the interval and were two from two in the competition after a 32-17 triumph.
3. Stunning 17 minutes versus County
When Watsonians were 22-5 down after 58 minutes and replacement Michael Badenhorst was in the sin bin things looked like they were going against them in late November against Stirling County at Myreside, but an amazing last period saw them win and stay unbeaten.
Scotland cap Adam Ashe scored a try for County with 22 minutes to go to put the visitors 17 points to the good and they were in control in front of the Scottish Rugby TV cameras.
This Watsonians side does not know when it is beaten though and, with Badenhorst still off, winger Angus Guthrie ran a great line to go over for a try in the 63rd minute. Captain Lee Millar converted and it was 22-12.
Five minutes later hooker Cal Davies scored his second try of the day and his third of the campaign and although it was not converted Watsonians were now on the front foot.
Replacement winger Kody McGovern, who had only come on the field moments earlier, then showed a great turn of pace to score the four try bonus point try.
Millar converted and the crowd were lapping it up with the team ahead for the first time.
Six minutes later Millar kicked a penalty and in the 79th minute Davies completed his hat-trick with the stand-off converting to finish things at 34-22.
4. Team lift the lift the Allan McNish Memorial Trophy
Watsonians withheld a tough Boroughmuir Bears challenge to stay unbeaten in the Super6 in December and lifted the Allan McNish Memorial Trophy.
The visitors to Meggetland went into the match with an 18-10 first leg McNish lead and in the end this 30-20 triumph gave them a 48-30 aggregate win and allowed Val McNish to present the trophy to captain Lee Millar.
Make no bones about it though, this was a very tricky match and ‘Muir scored four tries to pick up a losing bonus point.
In the second half at one point it was 20-20 and Watsonians resolve was being tested again, but once again they had the answers.
A Millar penalty and then a converted try on debut for winger Ruaraidh Smith, the former Currie Chieftains and Scotland under-20 man, won it 30-20.
5. Team take the Bulls by the horns
Watsonians stayed top of the FOSROC Super6 table with an impressive performance in January that helped them defeat the Ayrshire Bulls.
The Edinburgh side had lost at Millbrae against the same opponents in their last competitive outing on December 21, but good festive friendly ‘hit out’s against Scotland under-20 and a Newcastle Falcons XV had them looking sharp for this Myreside clash.
Winger Lomond MacPherson, back-row Boyle and replacement Lewis Berg scored tries - with skipper Lee Millar converting them all - to put 'Sonians 21-10 up.
And then Millar kicked two penalties in the 64th and 67th minutes to give Fergus Pringle’s men a 17 point advantage which, with their solid defensive work, they were never going to surrender.
Scrum-half Roan Frostwick was named Player of the Match.
6. Five home wins from five
‘Sonians finished the FOSROC Super6 regular season top of the table in March after coming back from 12 points down to win 28-26 against the Southern Knights on a Friday night at Myreside.
Against the Knights - after a fitting minute of applause for Watsonians treasurer Mike Crerar who passed away last month - the home side took the lead in the second minute.
However, fast forward a bit and the Knights bonus point try came in the 57th minute to make it 26-14 to them.
‘Sonians have fought back a number of times this term and with 15 minutes to go they were back into things thanks to a seven point penalty try, Knights replacement Grant Shiells yellow carded at the same time.
The hosts then scored the winner in the 77th minute, replacement Ewan Fox going over and captain Lee Millar converting.
Words by Gary Heatly
Images by Graham Gaw, more here
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