Hi Everybody, Last Saturday was a relatively quiet one for SMC Rugby. The school held a number of internal tournaments with only the B1 XV and A3 XV playing matches against other schools. The former faced potentially difficult opponents in Belfast Academical Institution, and so it proved with a final score of 0-40 to the Ulstermen. On the face of it this might be seen as a disastrous result but, while disappointing, the red black and gold can learn a number of lessons from very impressive opposition. If they can examine their work rate, support running, technique in the contact area and basic defensive management when under pressure then it will have been a very valuable experience. Until now unbeaten this season, they should now fully appreciate the game requirements when playing top quality opposition. Ability wise, there was probably little between the teams and by appreciating the mental requirements of playing tough opposition, and doing something about it, they should be able to close the gap. It is up to them. Stuart Edwards, their coach, is certainly up for the challenge! The A3 XV returned from Myreside with a 14-07 win in a closely contested match. Sadly, Bellbaxter have conceded the Brewin Dolphin Shield quarter final to us and, therefore, we find ourselves in semi-final against St. Aloysius College. School fixtures for this week (Saturday 30th November) are: Team Date Opposition H/A Pitch Kick-Off 1st XV 30/11/201 GLAS ACAD AWAY 10:00:00 A2 30/11/201 BELLBAXTER AWAY 10:00:00 A3 30/11/201 GLAS ACAD AWAY 10:00:00 A4 30/11/201 BELLBAXTER AWAY 10:00:00 A5 U16 A 30/11/201 GLAS ACAD AWAY 10:00:00 A6 U16 B 30/11/201 BELLBAXTER AWAY 10:00:00 A7 U16 C 30/11/201 BELLBAXTER AWAY 10:00:00 B1 30/11/201 BELLBAXTER HOME 1 10:30:00 B2 30/11/201 GLAS ACAD HOME 1 09:30:00 B3 30/11/201 GLAS ACAD HOME ARB 10:30:00 C1 30/11/201 GLAS ACAD AWAY 10:30:00 C2 30/11/201 BELLBAXTER HOME 2 09:30:00 C3 30/11/201 GLAS ACAD AWAY 10:30:00 C4 30/11/201 GLAS ACAD AWAY 10:30:00 D1 30/11/201 GLAS ACAD HOME 3 10:30:00 D2 30/11/201 BELLBAXTER HOME 3 09:30:00 D3 30/11/201 GLAS ACAD HOME 4 10:30:00 D4 30/11/201 GLAS ACAD HOME 5 10:30:00 JA1 30/11/201 GLAS ACAD HOME 6 09:30:00 JA2 30/11/201 GLAS ACAD HOME 4 09:30:00 JA3 30/11/201 GLAS ACAD HOME 5 09:30:00 JA4 30/11/201 WATSONS HOME 6 10:30:00 JB1 30/11/201 GLAS ACAD AWAY 09:30:00 JB2 30/11/201 GLAS ACAD AWAY 09:30:00 JB3 30/11/201 GLAS ACAD AWAY 09:30:00 JB4 30/11/201 WATSONS AWAY Mside 09:30:00 JC 30/11/201 TRAINING HOME P5 09:00:00 Due to the Scotland v Australia international, only the F.P. 1st XV took to the field with an Edinburgh Cup Game against the Nails at Goldenacre. Despite the score (lost 40-17), this was an encouraging performance which again indicated that we can compete at the highest level. With 7 minutes remaining we were within a converted try of overhauling our Premier 1 opponents but sadly lost concentration and conceded two late scores. The final result was not really a true reflection of the game but we will learn from the experience by appreciating the extra sharpness which Heriot’s have developed by playing in the top league. We must also learn not to give away penalties – and indeed yellow cards - in crucial situations. Tellingly, we were down to 13 men when they scored one of their tries. It was also a little galling to see 4 ex-Stew Mellies in opposition colours especially as two of them scored! I went on to the Nail’s website to see their views on the match and they called it, “a comfortable if uninspiring victory”. I must start using this for motivational purposes more often!! The F.P. 2nd XV did manage a game, however, on Thursday night when they played Murrayfield Wanderers under lights and came away with a 31 -19 win. This Saturday sees 3 teams in action: FP 1st XV v Selkirk 2p.m. at Inverleith FP 2nd XV v Selkirk 2.p.m. at Inverleith The Mighty 3’s v The Rodneys 2p.m. at Raeburn Place The earlier season performances against Selkirk were not the most memorable for the red, black and gold and the Inverleith faithful will be hoping for a total reversal in fortunes. Please get down and support if you can. Arrangements for the Captain v Vice-Captain’s and the Past Captains’ games (Saturday 28th December) are well in hand and the selectors are going to face a few headaches when naming the squads. If you have not contacted me and would like to be considered for selection for this festival of rugby, please do so by Monday 2nd December ([email protected]). Such has been the demand that a further fixture has been arranged for the following weekend (Saturday 4th January) when “SMC Returning Students” will play “Linlithgow RFC Returning Students” In the BUCS leagues the results were as follows: Scottish 2a Abertay 1 ## ## Heriot Watt 1 R. Gordon 1 ## ## Aberdeen 2 Strathclyde 1 71 12 Edinburgh 2 Scottish 3a H. Watt 2 24 14 Glasgow Cal 1 Aberdeen 3 ## ## Dundee 2 QM 1 27 14 Stirling 2 Scottish 3a Strathclyde 2 77 10 Dundee 3 Aberdeen 4 ## ## Abertay 2 St Andrews 2 26 14 Edinburgh 4 In the last 32 of the BUCS Trophy Newcastle 2 30 23 Glasgow 1 Edinburgh 1 19 22 Dundee 1 Enjoy your Rugby and Keep Smiling, Phil
Posted on: Thu, 28 Nov 2013 13:15:11 +0000
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