Saturday 20th October

National Reserve Division 4 (East)

HERIOTS 3RD XV RFC 72 – 0 GRANGEMOUTH STAGS 2ND XC RFC

 Perhaps the score line says it all and needs no further explanation- the 2nds took a lesson in rugby on Saturday. .

The whistle blew, and as Saun Houldsworth kicked off short, scrum down, their no. 8 picked up and ran the length of the pitch- 7-0 down after 1min.

Credit to the young and enthusiastic side as ever, they stuck in for 30mins and began to explore the oppositions half by mounting a number of attacks, but these faded out for one self inflicted offence or another.

Sadly, weak tackling in the backs allowed them to run in two long range efforts to go in three tries to the good at the half with the stags still making it a good competition.

Perhaps the Stags shot themselves in the foot at this point by trying to give everyone a game rather than focus on the task in hand. This took off some of the more experience players, and the younger bucks were ruthlessly exposed as Heriots began to run anything from anywhere on the pitch.

By the end of the game, it was clear there was a gulf in class between a strong Premiership 1 club fielding a potent mix of skilful youth and experience, while Grangemouth were trying to breed a mix of Under 18’s and ‘enthusiasts’! Not pretty, but Heriots will surely be in contention for the silverware at the end of the season. Sadly, on the day, the miss match of 5 divisions told and there was to be no fairytale outcome once Heriots had put their game heads on.