After a convincing win last week against Fettes, we had spent the week working on a few things that showed up on the Veo film of the game, notably our defensive shape and also being more aware of the space around us, and not going that yard too far and perhaps losing our supporting player. Being more clinical in the red zone was definitely something we have spoken about all week, as against quality opposition we must make sure we take our scoring opportunities. Mr Stephen and I were delighted with the hard work the whole squad has put in over the past few days, and we were looking forward to heading over to our friends from Belhaven in East Lothian, always one of the highlights of the rugby season.

Storm Alice did not arrive until after the final whistle, so we played in perfect conditions and right from the start the team played some very positive and expansive rugby which the Belhaven boys found hard to defend all day. We scored 8 tries and did not allow Belhaven to cross our line which was really impressive: we came up as a line, we harried and hassled, we tackled well and then our jackling and work at the breakdown was outstanding, gaining a large number of turnovers and conceding very few penalties. Our discipline was so good today, we listened to the referee but our body position was excellent, we got hands on the ball and as a result, Belhaven found it very difficult to get any continuity all game. Really impressive today, boys, and this is the standard we now need to maintain as the games keep coming thick and fast.

With the ball, we ran hard and straight, we picked some fabulous lines as well as running a few good decoy plays, and I was particularly pleased to see both wingers, James M and Oliver T, going over in the corner following terrific passes from Rafa and Jamie W – they perhaps could have scored themselves, but drew the man and passed to make sure that we did score – just what we have been working on in training. Well done! Harry, as always, did so much work, carrying hard and making huge amounts of ground, the ball was moved quickly away from the breakdown and we were much better at winning the space and leaving the ball clear for Theo – again, an improvement on last week. James had a fine game at stand off, making some terrific breaks but with an eye on his support and although Rafa only played half the game, he proved far too powerful for the brave Belhaven tacklers who never gave up, and he scored some excellent tries. As the game wore on, some of the 2^nd team players came on as replacements and all acquitted themselves well which shows we are developing a strong squad of players who can play at this level, which will be so important when we get in to the middle of the season and the opposition gets much stronger.

It was a very encouraging team performance, with the emphasis on TEAM. The forwards are making good decisions about when to pick and go, when to go to ground and when to off load, and the three quarters are much better aligned in both attack and defence. It was good to watch, and we go again next week when we play St Mary’s Melrose and Strathallan, both at home.

We played indeed, boys. A pleasure to see you play today.

DSW