Forester 3rd XV 20      Grangemouth 2nd XV 31

Dream Team chop down Foresters!!

The Dream Team headed for the unusual surroundings of Corstorphine RFC for this league match due to ongoing pitch development work at Foresters RFC.  A much changed side from last week saw the introduction of Graeme Bell, Mark Stirling and Roddy McPherson to add some experience to the youthful reserve squad.

Again, the Stags youth conveyor belt was on show with no less than 10 U19’s in the squad, some of whom are showing great promise for the future.  Conversely the veterans Brazier and Crossan evened out the age differential.

On a fine autumnal day, except for high winds, conditions were good for both teams to play rugby.  The Dream Team had high hopes of a win but these were quickly quelled in the 1st 10 minutes where the Foresters winger had a field day, twice exposing tackling weaker than the UK economy, to score two unconverted tries.  Some harsh words from Captain Stirling had the desired effect as the young guns stepped up to the plate to put in some bone crushing tackles and it was from one such tackle in midfield that caused a spilled ball for Paul Burns, who had a fine game, to pick up the loose ball and beat a few defenders for the touchdown, Crossan missing the extras with a daisy cutter.

With their danders up the Stags were now dominating the set piece although both teams were contributing to an entertaining match by throwing the ball around despite the heavy wind.  The stags were, however, the more dynamic of the teams and were able to control the ball through several phases and this led to a penalty in the Foresters 22.  Crossan, instead of using his lack of pace and expanding bulk, took an early tap and launched a crossfield kick into the corner and Burns, leaping like a salmon, out jumped the opposition to gather and stroll in under the posts, McPherson adding the extras by drop goal, what a hero..

In the dying seconds of the 1st half in identical circumstances the stags were awarded a further penalty and again Crossan took a quick penalty, sending out a huge miss pass, more commonly referred to as a speculative throw, to McPherson who stepped a defender and fed the supporting Kenny Paterson who bulldozed over from 5 meters out, McPherson just missing the extras for a 17-10 half time lead.

The stags changed things around in the interval with the introduction of youngsters William Mundie and Ally Brown, both of whom were to go on and make a significant impact upon the match. Jamesy Howie and Mikey Williamson rotated the bench to recover from their large contributions to the match.

The Dream Team had a nitemair start to the 2nd half conceding two unconverted tries courtesy of tackling that was scarcer than Labours chances at the next election and a wicked bounce of the ball that evaded the defence for their second try.  Trailing by three points and playing into the wind, the stags were up against it but tactics came good as Graeme Bell, who had moved to inside centre, a cunning ploy indeed, began hitting space in the midfield for the backrow of Cammy Hunter, Kenny Paterson and Jamie Baxter to work from.  In fairness, these big boys need some space to operate.

Joe was having a stormer at scrum half, shifting the ball quickly to Crossan who pinned back Foresters with a balance of touch kicks and driving play from Bell and Brough who were causing havoc in the home defence.  It was from 5th phase ball that McPherson once again rounded his man and popped a sublime pass out of the cover tackle to the supporting Brough to score next to the posts.  McPherson added the extras.

The last 10 mins was a scrappy affair as both sides were tiring and looking to score to secure the win. It was left to man of the match Graeme Bell to secure the win. The prop, playing at centre took a crash ball at pace, breaking the initial tackle, handing off the cover and then rounding the fullback to score a fantastic 30 metre try that McPherson converted.

Game over and it was a delighted Dream Team who celebrated a fine win that should see their season take off nicely.  The coaches were delighted with this win as the work on the training ground is paying off.  With 14 of the squad training during the week the continuity was beginning to show and made for pleasant viewing.

In a game where there were so many positives it was difficult to single out any players, however special mention goes to Malky Brazier, who at 105 years of age, managed to bounce off his opposite prop that left the player on the ground requiring the magic sponge. Mikey Williamson showed great defence along with James Howie.  Adam Middleton, Pete Brough, Paul Burns and Roddy McPherson were full of running.

The Dream Team squad is building and competition for places is improving and this will likely continue its way onto the pitch.  Training is at 7pm Tues and Thurs and all are welcome.

This week the Dream Team are at home V North Berwick 2’s with a 3pm kick off.