Saturday 5th January

Richmond park- Edinburgh

2nd XV Division 4 (East)

STEWARTS MELVILLES 3RD XV 12 – 40 GRANGEMOUTH STAGS 2ND XV

With their being every doubt that the game would not go ahead due to the adverse weather conditions all week, it was a nice surprise that not only was the fixture to go ahead, but it was played on an excellent surface. It was still blowing a gale and the temperature was more suited to polar bears, but there was no issue that this game was good to play.

With Stew Mels having put a considerably under strength Stags side to the sword earlier in the season, it was a different case today with the 2nd XV able to field a full strength team, which was able to demonstrate some great rugby throughout.

Straight from the kick off, the Stags looked to assert their authority on the game and racked up the first of their 6 scores in the afternoon after only 5 minutes. Some solid hands found a ruck on the SM 22 where a quick feed from the base found Tony Hayes at pace to weave a path through the defence to touch down between the posts. Easily converted by Forbes, this gave the Stags a solid base to continue to build throughout the first half.

With the wind continuing to gust and play havoc with the ball, it was perhaps no surprise that both sets of forwards kept it tight, while the backs did not kick away too much possession, and kept the passes short. Indeed, the second score came from some neat interlinking from the Stags setting up a further ruck on the SM 5 yard line. A couple of snipes from the base led to the exploiting of the inside channel, allowing scrum half Neil Chisholm to squeeze over the line. Again converted, 14-0 up.

The tries continued to flow with Bubba Hayes clocking a further try moments later, again powering his way through from 22 yards out to touch down. Next was again some good close play allowing Billy Tulloch to barge through a gap. Both once more ably converted, with the only blot on Forbes’ copy bookin the opening half being a missed penalty in the tricky wind. In fact, the Stags began to over egg the pudding as it were, by not punishing the SM defence out wide on a number of occasions with over complication. Perhaps the worst with seconds to go in the half was Innes feeding Gordon Stratton with inches to go only to result in a knock on.

However, 28-0 up at the half, and more to come. Substitutions, both tactical and personnel, were made allowing some game time for all after the festive indulgence. Adam Middleton was next to chalk up his first score for the club after supporting Hayes on a lung bursting run down the flank. Mair took over the kicking duties and slotted the points. Hayes sealed his hat trick for the day later on when another bit of nifty side stepping found him under the posts- this time missed by Forbes.

Stew Mels were by no means giving up and rallied for 2 late scores in the match. A clever chip and catch on the full by their stand- off found the Stags defence flat footed and he touched down under the posts. Conversion missed, but they soon scored and converted after some strong scrimmaging in the centre of the field.This was certainly deserved as their defence had worked tirelessly and numerous good breaks.

However, the game ended with the visiting team takng the honours. This was a great win against a strong Stewarts Melvilles which continued to show the progression the Stags 2nd XV are mustering. Scores are coming from all over the pitch with a couple of established kickers now helping to keep the score board ticking over. Phases are being implemented, while there continues to be a continuity to the team selection which is helping things nicely.

Next week the 2nd Xv are at home to Heriots 3rd XV which also promises to be a tough encounter, having been turned over in the capital. However, on this showing, there is a hope running through the side that may well carry them a bit further yet.

With the 1st XV having had their last three out of four fixtures postponed due to the weather, they will be looking forward to getting on the pitch with a home fixture against title contenders Dumfries. Both games kick off at 2pm at Glensburgh.