The Edinburgh Reporter’s Weekly Sports Round-up

Club Rugby

by John Preece

Currie  proved to be the only Edinburgh side in the upper divisions to lose in the second week of the league season, going down 42-28 to Stirling County at Malleny Park. However, both of the other local sides in the Premiership won by a single point. Edinburgh Accies took the laurels 18-17 away at Aberdeen and Heriots beat Gala 28-27 at home. This puts Edinburgh Accies one point clear of Gala at the top of the table with Heriots and Currie trailing in 8th and 10th places respectively. If it were football, the pundits would have the relegation battle up for discussion, but after only the 2nd week of the rugby season, how can there be anything to discuss?

Next week Currie will be making the long trip to Ayr for their match, while Heriots travel up the M9 to Stirling and Accies welcome Hawick to Raeburn Place.

In the National League, there was only ever going to be an Edinburgh win at Inverleith. And so it proved, funnily enough, as Boroughmuir beat Stewarts-Melville 18-13, outscoring the home side three tries to one on the way. Watsonians put in another high scoring performance for the second week in row, this time away from home, but against another Borders club as they put Selkirk away 51-23. ‘Sonians now head the National League table, one point clear of Dundee. Boroughmuir and Stew-Mel are fairing better than their Premiership counterparts, lying in 3rd and 5th places respectively.

The 3rd week of the season has Boroughmuir playing at home against Dundee, while Watsonians play yet another Borders team, as they take on Biggar at Myreside and Stew-Melplay at home for the second week in a row against Peebles.

The big boys get their RaboDirest PRO12 league season underway on Saturday as Edinburgh open their account against Munster at Thomond Park in Limerick. It has also been announced that RaboDirect would not be renewing their sponsorship of the ‘Celtic League’ after this season, having “achieved their key business objectives” over the past three seasons. Hopefully, the hunt is on for a replacement title sponsor to fill the gap. You would imagine it’s in hand…..

Rugby Union

by Jonny Davis

Edinburgh Rugby recorded their first win under new head coach Alan Solomons on Friday, as they beat Newcastle Falcons 15-5 in their final warm up game before this season’s RaboDirect PRO12 campaign gets underway next week.

The Gunners produced a solid, composed performance and despite failing to score a try, a flawless kicking display was enough to secure a comfortable victory in the end.

Greig Laidlaw scored the only points of the first half, kicking 3 penalties to put Edinburgh ahead 9-0 at the break, but Newcastle came out strongly in the second half and scored the only try of the game through ex-Scotland and Edinburgh fly-half, Phil Godman.

The comeback however, was shortlived, and Edinburgh soon regained control of proceedings with Scotland International, David Denton providing inspiration in defense and attack.

Piers Francis who had taken over the kicking duties from Laidlaw then seized the opportunity to close out the game with two penalties late on.

Speaking after the game, head coach Solomons said, “It was important for the guys to put the effort in tonight to start building confidence.

“I believe that they did that with a lot of hard work and so I am very pleased with that”

Man of the match, Denton added, “There’s real reason for optimism. We want to be physical and I think we showed that tonight.

“We’re building a game plan and, at the moment, we’re at the bare bones of that. Simple game plans are often the best way to go and hopefully when the season starts we’ll begin to fire.”

Off the field for Edinburgh Rugby, it’s another week, another new signing.

The capital club followed last week’s recruitment of Wicus Blaauw with the arrival of another front row forward, James Hilterbrand from Super Rugby side Western Force.

24-year-old Hilterbrand who has senior experience across hooker and both prop positions, joins the club just months after starting against the British & Irish Lions in June.

When asked about the latest recruit, Edinburgh Rugby head coach Alan Solomons, said “James’s versatility will be very useful for us, especially when you consider the attritional nature of the front-row and immense physicality they must endure over the course of the season.

“We now have more depth and better competition for places in our front-row, with our young Scottish props learning from experienced campaigners”

Despite representing all of South Australia’s age-grade sides as well as the national under-18 team, Hilterbrand is thus far uncapped at senior international level and due to his extensive Scottish roots, could well be seen donning the Saltire in years to come.

Not only was his grandmother, Doris from Aberdeen, but Hilterbrand’s grandfather, William Bain hailed from Falkirk and in fact played football for Aberdeen FC either side of the Second World War.

After the move was announced, Hilterbrand said. “I’m really excited about joining Edinburgh Rugby.

“I hope to bring a different rugby perspective because of my different pathway into professional rugby. I’ll definitely bring a lot of energy and heaps of passion.”

He added, “Unfortunately my grandparents have passed away now, but I know they’d both be very proud to see one of the grandsons living in Scotland and playing for one of the top club sides.”

One final development coming out of Murrayfield this week is that the club’s new strip for the season, is now available to purchase from the stadium shop, or online at http://www.scottishrugbydirect.com/edinburgh-rugby-b4

Football

Both city teams were playing opponents from the Highlands this weekend. We have an account of the match between Inverness Caley Thistle and Hearts from Mike Smith here and the stalemate no scoring draw at Easter Road where Hibs played against Ross County.

John Hislop has written for us about the player movements at Hibs with Heffernan and Zoubir both joining the Easter Road squad for this season at least.

Do you play or watch a sport that we don’t manage to write about? Then let us know!

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