Cargilfield 1stXV 66

Strathallan 12

So, after the rigours of the past two weeks, going away on tour and playing some terrific rugby against good opposition, we are in the home straight! Plenty of tired bodies around, and with some illness too, we decided to not play the 2^nd team game this afternoon, and instead, have a large squad, with plenty of reserves, to play Strathallan. I also decided to rest the skipper, saving him for next week’s Last Dance against Merchiston, so it was the perfect afternoon for others to shine and to embed our attacking and defensive patterns before our final game of the season which should be one not to be missed.

We scored six tries in the first half, rotating our squad, but I was really pleased with the way that we worked through the phases, drawing defenders in before moving the ball in to the wide channels which we did really well despite the windy conditions. The forwards, as always, carried really well and Harry, Dexter and Jamie W made a huge number of yards and it was good to see Archie carrying so well and off loading when he appeared in the centres, but what was particularly pleasing was seeing Mack, Charles and George running hard and straight with the ball, and presenting it really well too – Mack in particular, had an impressive game and he has fully deserved his call up to the 1^st team after his cameo roles down on tour against Aysgarth when de did so well. Theo, as ever, was a live wire at the base of the scrum and he made really good decisions today, sniping down the sides of the ruck really well, with quick feet, and then releasing the backs or popping it to an on rushing forward. He scored an excellent try from a charge down, and could have scored a couple more, but he led the team really well in Rafa’s absence today.

As ever, we dominated the breakdown, especially when the main set of forwards were on the field, producing lots of quick ball, and this allowed the three quarter line to use the space really impressively, with a number of set moves pulling opposition defenders out of position which allowed us to exploit the space out wide. James orchestrated things beautifully at stand off, but Monty, Jamie P, Ollie and Tristan all had terrific games, and Monty W also showed plenty of pace and promise when he came on.

The final try of the game epitomised what we have been trying to do, see where the space is and move the ball quickly there. So easy for a forward to bury over from short range, but instead, three quick passes and Tristan is over in the corner. Wonderful to see. Credit to Strathallan who never gave up and to Mr Appleson from Fettes who refereed very sympathetically to make sure everyone got something out of the afternoon.

Well done boys. One Last Dance next week, and it should be another epic contest. I cannot wait!