1stXV v Merchiston

Lost 35-42

Wow, what a test match! A proper game of school boy rugby with two talented sides going hammer and tongs at each other from the first whistle right through to the final play of the game. Having had three weeks of 50 point wins, we were desperate for a competitive game, and just like in the first game of our series in the first week of term when we lost 7 tries to 3, this was to prove to be a battle royale, played out on a lovely sunny afternoon, in front of a big crowd and refereed superbly by Mike Raikes, a Housemaster from Merchiston who stepped in to the breach when the booked ref pulled out, and saved me having to get my shorts out!

We won the toss and chose to play slightly with the slope and immediately we moved the ball well and Rafa showed what a handful he is as he evaded the Merchiston tacklers and scored pretty much straight from the off. However, we knew Merchi had fantastic ball players, especially at 10 and 12, and they moved the ball slickly and scored a well worked try out wide to hit back quickly. We then survived some strong Merchiston carrying, tackling well, and having created the knock on deep in our own 22m, from the resulting scrum we exited well and Rafa scored his second. Back came our friends from Colinton to level after some pretty lacklustre defending it has to be said: we were a little slow off the line in defence which allowed them the space in which to play and it was a bit soft if truth be told. We then scored our third after a wonderful off load from Rafa to Monty W on the wing who dived over in the corner, which was quickly followed by another Merchiston try and so we were all square at 21-21 at half time.

During the interval we talked about being more aggressive getting off the line , making our first up tackles and then hitting the rucks at speed: we had conceded a few turnovers (and made a few of our own) in the first half, and needed to get a bit lower at the breakdown as the bullet, to disrupt the jackaler. However, I knew it would be a touch 2^nd half, playing up the hill and in to the wind, but these are the situations when you learn a lot about individuals and our ability to dig deep.

We then fell three tries behind which was disappointing. One try was an interception as we were going through the phases and looking dangerous, but the other two we were a little soft again defensively, even though we switched Senuka to no 8 which allowed Jamie to bolster our midfield when Merchi had the ball. With ten minutes to go, it was a real test as to how we would react as a team: would we fold and crumble, or would we show real character and look to get back in to the contest? I needn’t have worried and this group of boys showed unbelievable reserves to dig deep and go again and again and again, showing tremendous team work and a huge amount of skill and bravery.

We moved the ball well across the field, even when Merchiston kicked, and then our handling was outstanding, moving the ball in to space and then rucking much faster and with greater intensity which meant the jackaller was hit off the ball and Theo could go again. He made some excellent decisions, as did James at 10, showing quick feet and a real awareness of what was around, whether to move the ball on out in to the wide channels, look for the pop or go himself, stay on his feet and then go to ground. We went through so many phases, recycling quickly and with lots of aggression which was some achievement after such a physical game, which allowed Harry to dive over from short range with a few minutes left, and then Jamie W to pick and go after another fabulous period of play where we kept the ball so well and moved the Merchiston defence around, and he dived over under the posts on the last play of the game. Just one try in it – wow, what a game!

Yes, the boys were disappointed, but the performance is so much more important than the result, and we talked afterwards of the way we never gave up, how we kept going and the wonderful team tries we scored at the end of the game, playing up the slope and in to the wind. We really laid down a marker as to how we will approach the 2^nd half of term when we have some really competitive fixtures, just like this on was, and they will keep coming week after week, including five matches against schools from England. These are the sort of rugby matches we want: no quarter given and all 13 players can be very proud of their performance today. I certainly was and I know Mr Stephen and I are really looking forward to what lies ahead after half term…….if the games are anything like this one was, then we are in for a real treat!

One final word, for Mr Raikes, the referee. He was superb today: the breakdown was refereed extremely well, he communicated brilliantly with both sides and as a result, we had a fabulous game of rugby. Thank you for coming over from Merchiston to ref.

Well played, boys. You can take a lot from today, and it was probably the right result, but only just! You showed great resilience, determination and no little skill as a team this afternoon and I was one proud coach at the end. After a two week break, there is so much to look forward to when we get back!

DSW