Stewart’s Melville 37 – 24 Gordonians
Saturday was an exceptional day for Stewart's Melville's players, coaches and supporters. A well attended lunch, where Andy Kelly was the guest for the Q & A and much needed funds were raised for the club's coffers via the traditional raffle, preceded an exceptional performance by Kelly’s Heroes out on Pitch 1.
The first half started with the home side attacking the castle end and, for the first 40 minutes, we played some of the most sublime rugby seen from a Stewart's Melville 1st XV certainly in this decade, if not longer. Hayden Hart started the try scoring with an effort from the back of a rolling maul to make it 5-0.
Our second try came from George Lee who took the racing line to support his fellow centre Jamie McGurk’s break. When Jamie offloaded out of the tackle, George was on hand to pop over. Adam Fraser added the extras for a 12-0 lead.
The third try was Stew Mel's version of The Try From The End Of The World. From a scrum on our own 5 metre line, the ball bounced out; Curtis scooped it up and the ball went through Jack Pennell and Adam Fraser's hands to Brodie Miller, who set off on a slaloming run up the far touch line before finding supporting players on his inside. The ball was carried on by Curtis and Jack again before George Lee was released to touch down in Arboretum corner. A magnificent score displaying instinctive, heads-up rugby executed at pace. The first half finished Stew Mel 17-0 Gordonians.
The second half started as the first half ended with another top drawer score from the home side, Jack Pennell touching down in club house corner to make it 22-0. The fourth home try seemed to shake the visitors into action and they soon scored a converted try to make the score 22-7. The home side's fifth try was added by Brodie, appearing on the left wing to touch down again in club house corner. Adam again added the conversion to make it 29-7.
By the middle of the second half Gordonians were applying pressure and, after a series of penalties had been conceded, Chris Baikie was given the opportunity of a well-earned 10 minute rest on the naughty step. Gordonians scored 3 tries and 1 conversion in rapid succession to earn themselves a bonus point and get the home support nervously checking their watches as the score narrowed to 29-24.
Unruffled, the home side rallied and won 2 penalties, one of which was knocked over by Adam Fraser to extend the lead to 32-24. The game’s scoring was completed by a suitably refreshed Chris Baikie barrelling over in the corner. Final score 37-24.
A quite superb performance from all the players and the coaches should be very proud of their charges.
The final game of the season is against Falkirk at Inverleith on Saturday 8th March, kick off 1 pm. For those not attending Murrayfield, please give the boys your support to finish off a very creditable season for both 1s and 2s.
David Calder
Many thanks to David for his superb match reports throughout the season, his hard work and dedication to the Club is very much appreciated - Jason
Photo credit: Jax Mackenzie Photography
