It’s all changing in Scottish rugby at the moment. A new generation of players are bedding into the national side. Glasgow and Edinburgh could be in the picture for the first ever Magners League playoff. A few club sides have taken part in the first year of the British and Irish Cup. Yep, things are evolving.
So why would we revert back to a system we had previously abandoned?
Now that we have a team of crack (pot) writers working with common purpose, I thought it was time to do a bit of work on the site itself. So I’m throwing it out to you, the faithful reader (Al, AD and Gregor feel free to chime in too). Or even the unfaithful reader – if this is your first or hundredth time here we are still interested in your opinions. What would you like to see? More silly stuff? More serious stuff? Interviews? Travel pieces? More rampant nationalism? More articles about the Super 14?
How do we make Scottish Rugby Blog the #1 destination for Scottish rugby news (and ranting)?
Here are some of the things planned for the site:
If you have any other suggestions on these or other matters please add them in the comments section. For example on the home page would you prefer short intros with “Read More” links so that you can see at a a glance the new articles you might want to read, or do you prefer to do all your reading on the home page in one big scroll (we’ve been experimenting with it this week so you can see it in action)?
In the season down-time if you have any ideas for articles or interviews we could do to keep the site busy please mention them too.
Thanks for reading, and contributing!
I thought I should also chip in with something; what about the Welsh?!
During the 6N a bit of navel gazing is common place and no nation is more morbidly insular than Scotland. We mustn’t, however, always focus on our own shortcomings. If Gregor is right about Andy Robinson’s feelings towards the last game then there is no need to dwell on the past. And rightly so. Unlike France during much of Sunday’s onslaught Wales will never bludgeon their way through a defence. Not the way they are playing right now. At the Millennium Stadium a lot depends on which Wales turns up. Jekyll or Hyde?
If we were being positive (which Scots, of course, always are!) then for our own sakes we should look at the Welsh deficiencies. The most glaring of which, at this point, must be their line-out. Wyn Jones, last Saturday’s pariah, has failed to dominate proceedings in the restart of late and Charteris has been dumped from the squad because of his inconsistency. None of this matters, anyway, because Gareth Williams couldn’t hit a barn door with a bazooka from 5m out.
All set-pieces are vital. In fact, while most of the country worries about our magic disintegrating scrum and the fact that 5 of the Welsh starting pack duke it out together for the Ospreys every week, we have to look at things more closely. For most, or all of the game they have no Jenkins. No Rees. No Bennett. No Gough. While the second row for Saturday is Jonathan Thomas, a man who is really a back-rower who normally likes to fly off towards 10 from a scrum. Along with this, I’m pretty certain I would take the sizeable pairing of Murray and Hamilton over Paul James and Jonathan Thomas any day. Yet again, none of this could matter because Chris Cusiter is looking through the scrum every time at Gareth Cooper, a man whose service could be timed with a sun dial.
Unfortunately once we get past these potential problem spots in tight for Wales we see why we could be in for a long day. If Cooper manages to put the ball in the right place then we may have problems for certain members of our back division. In Stephen Jones Wales have a 10 that at the present time can control a game the same, if not better, than Parks. In Jamie Roberts they have a guy who is a genuinely world class player on his day. James Hook can step Morrison, Lamont and Paterson. Lee Byrne might decide to play.
Make no mistakes about it. Wales have a few weapons in their arsenal. If there is parity in the set-piece and the Welsh blitz defence, which has been leaky of late, monopolises the gain-line then there could be a few smiling taffs by half 4. On the other hand, if rumours are to be believed, Gatland and Edwards are close to exhausting their relationship with the Welsh player. Allegedly both men would at least listen to some offers once this campaign is over, and if Gatland begins to show the indifference he did at the end of his Irish reign then the rest of the 6N could be in luck.
This match is one Robinson is seemingly targeting and it is true that Wales are inconsistent right now. In truth I reckon that the only chance Scotland has of winning this away fixture is if the Scots back-row cancels out Martyn Williams and Ryan Jones at the breakdown. A firing Welsh team thrives on quick ball on the front foot and needs it to make the likes of Byrne and Shane Williams effective. Let us hope that Wales defeat themselves, long before the men in Blue touch the ball.
In different news, if you’re interested in hearing about other games this weekend (two with a Welsh-Scottish flavour!) then check out these British and Irish Cup fixtures taking place:
Friday 12: Newport v Gael Force, Rodney Parade, Newport KO 7.30pm
or in Scotland:
Saturday 13: Ayr v Birmingham and Solihull, Millbrae, Ayr KO 4pm
and, Sunday 14: Heriot’s v Neath, Goldenacre, Edinburgh, KO 2pm
Al, of course! Who did you think I meant? Dan who?
Welcome also to Gregor who has joined us to keep an eye on rugby happenings on the West Coast, no doubt he’ll have something for you soon, bios of all our punditry team can be found on the About Page.
Injury update to the Scotland Squad: big Jim Hamilton has jumped straight into the match XV to replace Nathan Hines who has not recovered sufficiently from a calf injury. Perhaps it is felt that it is still to early to chuck Richie Gray (who remains on the bench) in after only 10 minutes at test level, but I would think he might get a shot again on Saturday to keep building his experience. In days of yore we could have chucked him and Jackson in against Italy for a bit of craic, but now every game is must win and Italy no longer the “easy” game…
We had two wins, a draw and a loss from various national teams. Sounds alright, doesn’t it? However, the public’s opinion of Scottish rugby is shaped entirely by the fortunes of the national side. Every other result is a bonus (or a continued indicator of the fallow years to come; although thankfully this doesn’t seem to be the case!). So let’s put each result in context…
The Scottish Women’s team overcame their French counterparts 10-8 at Lasswade on Saturday giving them the perfect start to their 6N campaign. I cannot testify to knowing too much about women’s rugby, but as a result against regular opponents this looks pretty good and show that a minority, in an already minor sport, can still thrive.
Something I can testify to (allegedly) knowing about is the fortunes of the Scottish Club International side. The team fought hard to win 13-9 in an intense, if not end to end globetrotter-style, match. Much like the Women’s match conditions didn’t favour an exciting, mercurial contest but the endeavour was there. Even 2000 folk braved the dreich Border’s weather to watch. Also, the crowd still got treated to a physical display and some hard running from the likes of Kelly and Weston as well as some great defence from Clapperton and co. What this did show was that Amateur rugby here is improving all the time and more than compares with the French opposition (although comparing myself to my opposite man on Friday night was more like comparing myself to my own father- he looked like he was in his 40’s!).
The under-20s drew 8-all with their French foils. While not the perfect score, it was better than losing! Also, the performances of highly rated youngsters like Maltman and McInally shows the potential we have here. We also have yet another Blair at 10, and lord knows we’re all hoping he proves to be a genius! Rory was at the game, so he will be better placed to tell you if they are likely to win against Wales down there, but the future may seem bright in some areas of that team.
And then there was Sunday. I, for one, am weary of over analysing, but when the shortcomings are that obvious it is rude not to point them out. We all know what they are. 1) The backline are standing so deep during second phase it is surprising they can even see Chris Cusiter. 2) While Johnnie Beattie played outstandingly well in the loose yesterday, it was verging on the cruel the longer he left the ball in the back of the scrum. 3) If a team stands in attack in two banks, most standing in a flat line and some standing in a small group deeper and wider, then we become bamboozled. Twice Bastreaud was in the second group ready to receive passes direct from the flatter group and he scored. Once Clerc, brilliantly tap tackled by Kelly Brown and held up by Evans, broke from a similar situation. 4) Next time (i.e. against Wales) please give the ball to someone quick enough to make an inside break when facing a blitz defence. 5) Jonathan Davies is more annoying than a postal gold advert.
The good thing is, though, that it was still only 9 points we lost by. Look after the ball without forcing the play and we might be alright…maybe?!
So what did you make of the day? What would you do if you were Robbo? And what is going to unlock an equally depressed Welsh team?!
Club International coach Ally Donaldson has named his starting XV and subs bench for Friday nights game against France at Netherdale (7.30 ko).
Glasgow Hawks lock, Rory McKay, Dundee prop Alan Brown and Melrose pair James King (centre) and Fraser Thomson (wing) have all earned their place in the starting XV for the first time. New caps also include Gregor Wood (Watsonians), Alastair Hamilton, Andrew MacMahon (both Currie), Paul Burke and Jamie Hunter (both Ayr) on the bench.
The coaching staff are eagerly looking forward to this game and are hoping to go one better after losing by a point in last years reverse fixture. Club International team manager, Ian Rankin said: “The days of French teams supposedly not traveling well is long gone. This French team will play with the classic French style – huge powerful forwards and lightning quick backs.
“But in this starting XV we have 11 players that faced the French last season, with another two poised to play from the bench who all know what they have to face.
“It’ll be a tough assignment but hopefully we can get a big Netherdale crowd out to back the team. I’ve heard the game is of big interest in the Borders but there are a lot of clubs represented by this team.
“There’s a real connection between the clubs and their players with the clubs taking a lot of pride and pleasure in being represented in the match. I think that’ll be measurable this Friday night.”
Scottish Club International Team to face France: Harkness (Selkirk); Thomson (Melrose), Clapperton (Boroughmuir), King (Melrose), Anderson (Melrose); Wight (Melrose), Snedden (Currie); Dymock (Heriot’s), Burnett (Heriot’s), Brown (Dundee), Kelly (Ayr), McKay (Glasgow Hawks), Dalziel (Melrose) CAPTAIN, Cairns (Currie), Weston (Currie).
Replacements: Wood (Watsonians), Reid (Ayr), Hamilton (Currie), Sutherland (Ayr), Burke (Ayr), Hunter (Ayr), MacMahon (Currie).
Entry is free on the night. Why not head down to Gala and support the Club International lads?
It had emerged over the weekend that Graham Lowe, the director of performance rugby in Scotland, intends to review the set-up of the top division. As coaches bemoan the lack of respect club sides get and call out for a semi-professional atmosphere in Scottish club rugby people are searching for alternatives. The main drive of Lowe’s review, it could be suggested, will be to make more money from Prem 1. A concept as elusive as Julien Malzieu (yeah, it’s time to get nervous/excited about Sunday already!).
Scottish club rugby needs a new way to generate excitement. But how do you make it more sexy?! The mainstream ideal tends to be cutting the league down to a more competitive 10 team league. In fact, if The Scotsman is to be believed, the powers that be at Hawks have produced a paper calling for the league to be reformatted to include 8 teams only. This, however, looks unlikely. One; because it is improbable that all the Prem 1 powers will agree on this but also because, two; it is doubtful that Lowe would propose such a grand change so soon into his tenure that could instantly alienate up to 6 clubs as 4 are relegated and 2 denied promotion.
It is obvious that change is needed in some degree. The truth is, however, that cutting the amount of teams alone would not guarantee that the premier club rugby competition in this country is more exciting. More competitive? Definitely. More entertaining? I, for one, am not convinced.
Excitement is what generates more interest. More interest generates more coverage. More coverage generates bigger attendances and more sponsorship. In short, ladies and gentlemen, excitement brings the bucks. So Prem 1 needs to foster the pluralist notion of entertainment and rivalry within a league, preferably shortened to 10 teams. Some remit, Mr. Lowe! You’d have an easier job convincing card-happy Hines that collecting yellows in the 6N is not a good thing.
Would a play-off between the top 4 teams at the end of the season create more buzz? Would a play-off at the bottom of the league create more buzz? How do we get the BBC or STV to show more of our ‘amateur’ games? Craig Chalmers has been saying for months that play-offs (at the top half of the table at least) would not only initiate interest but give local broadcasters a better package to work with. This would definitely seem more marketable.
As well as this theory, Lowe is said to be considering an SPL-style split at a certain point in the season where the top-half teams fight for the title while the bottom-half teams scrap for survival. This would engender a ‘survival of the fittest’ mentality, but seems to lack the market appeal of a shorter play-off product. Either way the mission is clear. Get more punters; thrill more punters; take cash off more punters. As a punter, I’m just hoping the league retains some of its classic rivalries while offering a fair opportunity for teams to earn a league title. And some unexpected high scoring results wouldn’t go amiss, either, thank you Mr. Director!
Good old Scotland! Once again the fixture list was all but wiped out at the weekend as only one match in Prem 1 survived.
Stewart’s Melville 22-53 Heriot’s
at Inverleith
In the end this was a bit of a drubbing, and had Stew Mel coach Moffat conceeding, “There isn’t a lot of pressure on us now. I think it’s fairly inevitable that we are going down so in that respect it’s just about us performing and trying to bring through some young players.”
Stew Mel were the better team, though, in the first 15 minutes or so. They put pace onto the ball and generated momentum from the first kick-off. Ker supplied Marshall well and between them they picked their holes in the first 5 of the game, creating two tries and instilling a sense of bewilderment in the Away side. Luckily for the men in blue and white they didn’t panic. The rest of the first half saw them look after the ball and their forwards made sure the Nails backline had a platform for the rest of the game. Marshall, Ker and Henry all had accomplished games but in the end the disparity in fitness and creativity seemed to shine through. There were too many tries from Heriot’s to analyse each one (although the pick of the bunch was ‘CJ’ Osazuwa’s rangy slide across the pitch to pop to Douglas for an easy finish).
Without a bonus point for Stew Mel are certain to go down but, as Moffat says, they can still enjoy themselves and with the quality they possess will most likely bounce straight back up after a season in Prem 2 (if the leagues retain their current format!)
Stewart’s Melville: R Borthwick; A Cox, H Lingard, C Marshall, L Steele; S Ker, R Patterson; A Edmonstone, C Mackintosh, R Grant, B Leathes, S Brewster, B Tweedie, L Calder, P Hendry.
Replacements Used: A Statham, S Blackwood, C Sutherland, A Lean, J Gordon.
Heriot’s: C Goudie; B Roberts, M Nimmo, R Mill, A Douglas; R Hutton, G Wilson; A Dymock, S Burnett, W Blacklock, C Osazuwa, P O’Connor, P Eccles, C Fusaro, J Syme.
Replacements Used: F Gillies, M Welch, J Hill, J Alston, G Rutherford.
Scoring Summary
Stewart’s Melville Ker (2), Steele; Cons: Ker (2); Pen: Ker.
Heriot’s Douglas, Roberts, O’Connor (2), Goudie, Syme (2), Gillies; Cons: Wilson (5); Pen: Wilson.
SRB Man of the Match: B Roberts
That’s your lot, I’m afraid!
No, not the Scotland shirt sponsor, or indeed Euan aka Murray Squared (Murray in a shirt saying Murray) or Moray Low aka Moray Cubed (Moray from Moray in a shirt that says Murray).
What I mean of course is good luck to Andy Murray in the Australian Open Tennis final which happens on Sunday at around 8am I think (for viewers in UK). No doubt if he wins they will try and find an excuse to parade him at Murrayfield during the upcoming Six Nations. So let’s hope so!
Games on;
Stewart’s Melville – Heriot’s
at Inverleith (ko 3pm)
Glasgow Hawks – Edinburgh Accies
at Old Anniesland (ko 3pm)
Dundee High – Boroughmuir
at Mayfield (ko 3pm)
West of Scotland – Currie
at Burnbrae (ko 3pm)
Selkirk – Ayr
at Philiphaugh (ko 3pm)
SRB Game of the Weekend: Melrose – Watsonians
at The Greenyards (ko 2.30pm)
Having lost convincinglyagainst Heriot’s last week the ‘Rose will be hoping to bounce back against a Watsonians side refreshed by their first home victory of the season. Both of these sides thrive when running into a broken field so the tactical awareness of Wight and Ker could prove pivotal. Melrose will be wanting to explode into the game from the start, while Watsons will most likely look to build a game. ’Sonians have had difficulty killing off opponents this season and if Melrose edge in front they could hold on til the end of the game, regardless of ‘Sonians renewed belief. The loss of influencial line-out specialist Mark Rennie cannot help the Edinburgh side, either. Let’s hope this one builds to an exciting finish.
Players to watch: Melrose’s James King and Watsonians Jonny Pelter
The Scotland Club International 22-man squad has been announced for their game against France on the 5th of Feb. at Netherdale, Gala. Having lost narrowly 13-12 in the reverse fixture last season the team are hoping to do one better. Being only the second time these teams have met anything can happen and the Scottish Club team have never lost on home soil. With a 7.30 KO, entry will be FREE on the night.
Scotland Club International squad to play France: Fraser Harkness (Selkirk), Fraser Thomson (Melrose), Malcolm Clapperton (Boroughmuir), Jamie Hunter (Ayr), James King (Melrose), Callum Anderson (Melrose), Andrew MacMahon (Currie), Scott Wight (Melrose), Richard Snedden (Currie), Alan Dymock (Heriots), Gregor Wood (Watsonians), Gordon Reid (Ayr), Scott Burnett (Heriots), Alastair Hamilton (Currie), Alan Brown (Dundee), Damien Kelly (Ayr), Scott Sutherland (Ayr), Rory McKay (Hawks), John Dalziel CAPTAIN (Melrose), Mark Cairns (Currie), Paul Burke (Ayr), Ross Weston (Currie)
The starting XV will be named next week…
Future fixtures;
Friday 19 March – Ireland v Scotland club international (Donnybrook, kick-off 7pm)
With six games left in the season and it looking increasingly like the title race is one being run by two horses one could be excused for looking beyond league proceedings. Stew Mel, I’m sure, would love to forget about league duties! Even the Cup looks to have become less of factor in premier clubs thinking. My brother and I could argue for hours about this. Sure it is still a huge event and obviously it is a massive honour to end your season on the big pitch at Murrayfield, but with fewer teams (Premier 1,2 and 3 only) competing for the Cup it can take less effort over a season to get there. If you win one game you’re into the quarter finals. So what is the result of this?
Suddenly more eyes are turning towards the British and Irish Cup. This season has been given more significance for certain amateurs because they have had an opportunity to measure themselves against professional players. Having played in a couple of games in the B&I Cup with Heriot’s I have enjoyed it but in some facets of the game, not all, it is difficult to compete with full time professionals. Playing against Coventry, a team that at the time of our game was complaining of over training with two sessions a day, four days a week, we competed in terms of skill, creativity and endeavour. Where we fell down was that we simply weren’t as big as our opposition, or as ‘collision-drilled’. This is to say that we weren’t able to stop the constant pounding of a massive English rucking game. This, it seems, will continue to afflict any amateur team facing a mature pro counterpart.
While both club teams have been competitive, Ayr winning against Rotherham and Heriot’s running Nottingham close, it is evident that Scottish club players are capable of out playing full time opposition. However, it is no great shock that Scotland’s player base has the depth of a teaspoon. If rumours are to be believed then the SRU fully intends to increase Scottish participation in the B&I Cup to four teams. How could teams, by definition, of less quality than the top two teams in Prem 1 be as competitive? There just aren’t enough players in our country. In order to compete with Welsh, Irish and, in particular, English teams we definitely don’t have enough monsters. So what should we do to contend on four fronts in the B&I Cup?
If you are a fan of club rugby most of you will be effing and blinding at your screen (much as if you were watching yet another rolling maul from Munster in the HC). The majority, it appears, want a return of the district teams. And why not?! If you want better players in certain positions for one team, pick from the best nearby. If the current league finishes the way it is now then the top four will comprise of a representative from the North (Dundee), the South (Melrose), the East (Currie) and the West (Ayr), anyway, showing how combative each region already is.
If the Scotland Club International has shown us anything it’s that amateur players relish the opportunity to play as near as they can get to their dream level: with a thistle on their chest. A lucky few have also propelled themselves into the professional ranks via the Club International. The same could happen through the districts. Surely the ultimate aim of teams like the Club International is to provide Scotland with more potential internationalists. If there is, say, a quality young player at West of Scotland who is never seen by Sean Lineen but could make the step up to pro rugby then they may never get the chance to prove themselves, more than once, at a higher level while Ayr and Ayr alone represent the West in the B&I Cup. Let players prove themselves. Sure there will be inter club politics but there always is anyway. There may be grumblings from the National Academy but just let Academy guys and unused pros play for the region of the club they are drafted to.
What harm can bringing back the districts do? If I was certain to finish mid-table with my club and no prospects of a Club International cap I would be crying out for a chance to play district rugby. Hell, if I was getting relegated I’d still want a district call!
Edinburgh Accies 5-29 Currie
at Raeburn Place
Edinburgh Accies: S Moffat, M Coupar, G Douglas, R Browne, C Dickie, R Bonner, J Letham, D McLeod, M Strachan, L Niven, E Stuart, M Stevens, D Teague, T Drennan, G Campbell.
Replacements Used: S Patience, D Wright, R Snape, P Arnold, G Peoples.
Currie: G White, W Moala, C Kinloch, A MacMahon, S Forrest, J Smith, R Snedden, J Cox, N Scobie, A Hamilton, A Adam, R Wilson, S Burton, J Thomson, R Weston.
Replacements Used: A Reekie, G Scott, M Cairns, S Walker, I Downie.
Scoring Summary
Edinburgh Accies Try: Letham.
Currie Tries: Hamilton, Penalty, Weston, Moala, Wilson. Cons: Smith (2).
SRB Man of the Match: R Weston
Heriot’s 28-16 Melrose
at Goldenacre
Heriot’s: J Alston; C Goudie, M Nimmo, R Mill, A Douglas; R Hutton, G Wilson; W Blacklock, S Burnett, M Welch P Eccles, P OConnor, J Syme, C Fusaro, M Lee.
Replacements Used: F Gillies, JP Ward, C Osazuwa, S Dewar, G Rutherford
Melrose: F Thomson; C Anderson, J Murray, J King, B Allen; S Wight, S McCormick; A Gillie, R Ferguson, K Cooney, G Dodds, G Elder, J Dalzell, N McTaggart, R Miller.
Replacements Used: W Mitchell, P Southern, B Runciman, C Jackson, A Dodds.
Scoring Summary
Heriot’s Tries: Goudie, Douglas 2. Cons: Wilson 2.
Melrose Try: Mitchell. Con: Wight. Pens: Wight 3.
SRB Man of the Match: M Lee
Watsonians 16-13 Dundee
at Myreside
Watsonians: M Ker; G Somerville, D Brown, C Sorbie, A Rowe; J Forbes, J Blackwood; D O’Connell, G Wood, K Coertze, M Rennie, T Weizman, J Pelter, H Grant, G Callander.
Replacements Used: C Masson, G Scott, N Tunnah, M Henderson, N Montgomery.
Dundee: A Horton; M Smith, H Duthie, L Graham, R Lemon; B Jones, A Dymock; N Dymock, J Clark, A Brown, C Cumming, R Hawkins, R Gray, S McKee, G Ryan.
Replacements Used: S Dreyer, M Brown.
Scoring Summary
Watsonians Tries: Grant, Ker. Pens: Forbes 2.
Dundee Try: Duthie. Pens: Jones 2. Con: Horton.
SRB Man of the Match: H Grant
West of Scotland 34-25 Selkirk
at Burnbrae
West of Scotland: C David; A Park, P Murchie, J Kerr, R Dalgleish; C Thwaites, M McConnell; E McLaren, G Bulloch, C Johnston, M Jenkinson, R McAlpine, J Walker, D Young, G Fisken.
Replacements Used: D McKenna, R Kelso, A Kennedy, G Dempsey.
Selkirk: F Harkness; D Clapperton, S Hendrie, R Nixon, L Jones; G Craig, M McVie; G Paterson, D Grieve, M Murray, R Aglen, S Willett, N Darling, C Johnston, A Renwick.
Replacements Used: D Moussa, J Smyth, S Forrest, R Taylor.
Scoring Summary
West of Scotland Tries: McLaren 2, Young 2, Fisken. Cons: Davis 3. Pen: Davis.
Selkirk Tries: Murray, Hendrie, Harkness, Moussa. Con: Hendrie. Pen: Hendrie.
SRB Man of the Match: D Young
Boroughmuir 8-19 Glasgow Hawks
at Meggetland
Boroughmuir: S Ruddick; R Cairns, M Clapperton, G Blackhall, E Mills; G Cottrell, C Cusiter; F Lait, S McMurchy, B Ross, G Scott, N Patrick, M Stalley, J Doubleday, E Mathieson.
Replacements Used: J Va’a, L Brinck, P Cronin, S McGee, M Hare.
Glasgow Hawks: C Shaw; R Hair, I Noble, G Harkness, K Gossman; D Weir, C Gossman; G Strain, E Milligan, N Cox, C Kerr, A Kirkland, R Hamilton, R McKay, G Strang.
Replacements Used: J Stafford, R Niven, J MacLay, P Jericevich, M Adamson.
Scoring Summary
Boroughmuir Try: Lait. Pen: Blackhall.
Glasgow Hawks Try: Kerr. Con: Weir. Pens: Weir (3) Adamson.
SRB Man of the Match: D Weir
SRB Game of the Weekend:
Ayr 66-15 Stewart’s-Melville
at Millbrae
Well I was right about one thing: this was a hell of a game! It’s not every weekend you see 13 tries. However, my call of a close game seemed not to reach those in Ayr as the forwards ran riot with ball in hand. Stew Mel played rugby (they always do) but seemed to struggle with Ayr’s physicality. Stew Mel don’t have long to accrue more points and it’s getting close to squeeky bum time for both these teams.
Ayr: D Steele; S Manning, M Stewart, R Curle, J McClung; F Climo, J Hunter; G Reid, P MacArthur, G Sykes, D Kelly, S Sutherland, P Burke, A Dunlop, G Tippett.
Replacements Used: S Fenwick, S Adair, S Nimmo, C Taylor, A J MacFarlane.
Stewart’s-Melville: R Borthwick; A Cox, H Lingard, C Marshall, L Steele; S Ker, R Paterson; A Edmonstone, S Blackwood, R Merrilees, B Leathes, S Brewster, B Tweedie, L Calder, P Hendry.
Replacements Used: A Statham, C Mackintosh, J Kynoch, R Sutherland, H Boisseau.
Scoring Summary
Ayr Tries: P Burke (3), R Curle(2) D Steele, S Fenwick, A Wilson, D Kelly, F Climo. Conversions: Climo (8).
Stewart’s-Melville Tries: B Tweedie, P Hendry, B Leathes.
SRB Man of the Match: P Burke
Games on:
Edinburgh Accies – Currie
at Raeburn Place (ko 2pm)
Boroughmuir – Glasgow Hawks
at Meggetland (ko 3pm)
Watsonians – Dundee High
at Myreside (ko 3pm)
Heriot’s – Melrose
at Goldenacre (ko 2pm)
West of Scotland – Selkirk
at Burnbrae (ko 2pm pitch inspection at 9am- check www.westofscotlandfc.co.uk for details)
SRB Game of the Weekend: Ayr – Stewart’s Melville
at Millbrae (ko 3pm)
Ayr are back in action after a week off and are looking to maintain their title challenge. Meanwhile, Stew Mel are hoping to avenge last weeks touch-and-go 11 point defeat to West. Having run Ayr close last time out at Inverleith this should be a lot more competitve than some would think. Expect a confrontation from the first whistle.
Players to watch: Stew Mel’s Hayden Lingard and Ayr’s Mark Stewart
After this weekend’s Heineken Cup action finishes off, the international rugby focus is now firmly set towards the forthcoming RBS Six Nations. A lot of people can find getting hold of RBS Six Nations tickets pretty tricky if you are not a member of a rugby club, but do not despair. The good folk at viagogo have teamed up with us to offer some info for rugby fans trying to secure those hard to find tickets. Get your tickets for all RBS Six Nations fixtures now with viagogo from just £35!
The tournament kicks off at Twickenham as England take on Wales on 6th February. The following week on 13th February, Ireland travel to the Stade De France to do battle against France. Both of these teams are probably favourites to lift the trophy come tournament’s end, although we are of course hoping that this honour will go to Scotland who finish off in Dublin on the 20th March.
Another busy match features England taking on Ireland. England have been heavily criticised for their performance in the last few years, criticism that was not helped by their poor showing at this years autumn tests and some of Martin Johnson’s dopey selections (*cough* Steve Borthwick *cough*). This year they will be looking to prove something to both the domestic media and their fans, and will hope to surpass expectations that see them as ‘underdogs’ in this year’s competition. To win, England will have to overcome France at Stade De France in the last fixture of the competition, a match that could well determine the destination of the championship trophy.
viagogo has tickets for all these RBS Six Nations fixtures on sale now. As you know, tickets to these matches are extremely difficult to get hold of, but as Europe’s leading ticket exchange, viagogo has tickets right up until the event. Tickets for all of the fixtures including Scotland’s opener against France and the highly anticipated Calcutta Cup clash with England at Murrayfield (which of course Scotland will win) in this year’s competition are currently on sale at viagogo. And in case you are looking for rugby tickets in future, I’ll stick a banner up on the right so you can get your tickets sorted and support this site!
About viagogo
viagogo is a safe and secure place for fans to buy and sell tickets for the best sports, music and theatre events in Europe and the USA. viagogo also has official partnerships with Leicester Tigers, London Wasps, Harlequins, Manchester United, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Bayern Munich, able to provide great tickets for sport fixtures, unavailable through other ticketing channels.
