Rugby – Edinburgh Accies v Aberdeen Grammar

Aberdeen take RBS Cup quarter final with a fine display at Murrayfield

With the pitch at Raeburn place potentially unplayable, the RBS Cup quarter final match between Edinburgh Accies and Aberdeen Grammar was moved to the 3G artificial pitch at Murrayfield.

With a fairly stiff wind blowing, Aberdeen took full advantage of playing with the wind in the first half and kept Accies pinned back in their own half for the most part. They opened the scoring early on with a successful penalty from No. 10, Ro Aloe to lead 3-0. The wind wasn’t always, however, helpful as a couple of Aloe’s kicks were rendered inaccurate which gave Accies the chance to get upfield. With their pack on the up, the Aberdeen attack forced Accies back to their line and a quick recycle saw Aberdeen’s No. 1, Matt Schosser over the line for the first try of the match. Aloe missed the kick, but Grammar were now 8-0 ahead. Late on in the half a particularly penetrating attack from the Accies back line almost broke through to score but a bit of inspired defending – allied to a penalty and yellow carding – left them with a simple kick for No. 9, Alex Black to slot home from in front of the posts to bring the score to 8-3 at the end of the half.

Playing with the wind in the second half, Accies should have had the same advantages that Aberdeen benefitted from in the first. But, the visiting side just seemed to want it more and following up an early period of pressure, No. 15, Stevie Aitken juggled the ball around the back of his head, but held on to break through the defending tackle to score Aberdeen’s second try (top photo). Aloe lined the kick up, but the wind took it away from the posts in the last few metres, but Grammar were 15-3 ahead and looking good for the win. However as the match progressed, Accies took more of a grip on the game and around the 20 minute mark, barrelled over for their opening try. Accies had advanced the ball up to the Aberdeen line, but were just stopped short with a bit of foul play. Referee, Peter Allan, then selected the offending Grammar player and sent him to the sidelines for a 10 minute break, giving Accies the one man advantage. From the penalty line-out, the Accies forwards mauled their way up to, and over, the line for their try. Black missed the kick in the swirling wind, so the score now stood at 13-8 to Aberdeen.

13-8 was to be the final score. In spite of increased pressure on the Aberdeen line, their defence held out for the final 15 or so minutes with some desperate tackling, and a couple of turn-overs, to take their, well deserved, place in the RBS Cup semi-finals where they will meet one of Heriots, Gala or Glasgow Hawks.

Images of the match will appear here over the next couple of days