‘Sonians top the table following win over Accies

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This could be the make or break year for Watsonians as the Myreside team have been there or thereabouts at the top of the National League Div. 1 for a few seasons, with Edinburgh Accies upsetting their best chance of promotion a year or so ago in the 2013-14 play-offs. Accies, for their part have been at the opposite end of their respective table, barely managing to keep their heads above water for a few seasons but missed the boat last year and suffering the drop.

Coming off the back of a win over Peebles the previous weekend – the season opener – the visitors had whatever momentum was available. Edinburgh Accies, on the other hand, were beaten by the odd point at Musselburgh, which – according to one ‘pundit’ – flattered their performance.

However, it was the home side who started the stronger and claimed the first points about five minutes in with a penalty from full back, Facundo Beltramino.

From the restart they were back up in opposition territory and pressing hard when a loose pass was gathered in by Watsonians’ Mark Bertram and the wing galloped half the length of the pitch for the try. Former Accies stand-off, David Blair, scored with the kick and, with less than 10 minutes on the clock, the visitors were 7-3 ahead.

Another penalty from Beltramino five minutes later pulled the home side up to within a point. Watsonians then started to exert a bit of pressure and another penalty kick to touch set up the second try. The ball was moved quickly away from the lineout and across the pitch, leaving No. 5 Callum Harvey to score. Again, Blair knocked the conversion over and there was now clear air between the teams at 14-6.

‘Sonians nearly scored their third around the 25 minute mark, but the final pass was pulled back by the referee for being forward.EdinReport-AcciesvWatsons-050915-1

With the game now in the last 10 minutes of the first half, Accies piled on the pressure and only a strong defensive performance from the visitors kept them out. During this period, they mauled across the line, but the officials deemed the ball held up and, from the resultant scrum they opened up a huge overlap but the final pass was dropped. They soon regained possession following the restart and a last gasp tackle by ‘Sonians Rory Steele started across the shoulders, but slipped up and nearly removed his opponents head. He was immediately carded and Accies went for touch with the penalty.

The lineout maul was set up and over the line before Watsonians could counter and No. 7, Ewan Miller, emerged with the ball and the try. Beltramino scored the conversion and the teams went into the break 14-13 to Watsonians.

The third quarter of the match was fairly even with the visitors probably just ahead, and then the consolidated their lead with a penalty just before the hour for 17-13.

EdinReport-AcciesvWatsons-050915-2With errors and kicked-away ball dominating the next 15 or so minutes, neither side could gain much of a foothold in the other’s half and then, just in Accies territory, Blair collected the ball in the middle of the pitch and spun the pass out to Steele who sprinted up the right. He then chipped over the defending players, chased the bobbling ball into the goal area and managed to touch down with his second lunge. Blair then slotted home the difficult conversion and the visitors were in a 24-13 lead.

They were almost away again a few minutes later, but the break up the wing from Mark Bertram was eventually called to a halt by a fine defensive tackle from Beltramino and Ewan Campbell.

Accies scored a late on try following a yellow for one of the Watsonians props, Jamie winks scoring off the back of the lineout. The kick was missed and, although Accies pressed hard over the final few minutes the final score was Watsonians 24, Edinburgh Accies 18.

Images from the match will appear here over the next few days.

 

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