Rugby – Stewarts Melville v Gordonians, Tennent’s NL2

Gordonians made the long trip down to Inverleith for their NL2 match against a Stewarts Melville side who were brimming with confidence, being both on a winning streak and with a settled team to field. The only significant change to the home starting line up from the previous match was, in the absence of Jamie Sword, Ally Scott coming into the boiler house.

Gordonians kicked off towards the Castle on yet another sunkissed Invers’ afternoon. Stew Mel retrieved well and sent the ball back into their half which enabled the visitors to launch their attack with ball in hand, and, although they were not making as much progress as they would have hoped, it was nonetheless an encouraging start them.

A knock on led to the first scrum of the afternoon
and a strong one at that, as Stew Mel got their hands on the ball,
Adam Greig and James Ferguson combining well and utilising the width
of the pitch – maybe too much width, as a line-out on the Gordonian
22 was the end result.

Good defence from the home side midfield of ‘the Jamies’ (Ferguson & McGurk) kept Gordonians at bay, and, with possession being regained, quick hands and impressive interplay saw Sean Murchie opening Stew Mel’s account for the afternoon with around 5 minutes played. Stew Mel 5 v Gordonians 0.

At the restart Scott Alldritt, with his
distinctive green scrum cap, gathered well with his trademark drive,
and, with Ruaridh Mitchell and latterly James Ferguson close at hand,
progress was made well into the visitors’ half, but
disappointingly, a penalty was conceded.

Gordonians thereafter gained some territory and a
line-out, although the tables were turned and Stew Mel kicked deep
into their half. They attacked once more, but, partially due to the
pressure being applied by the hosts, the attack petered out with a
scrum at the half way line, Stew Mel ball.

That green scrum cap was off again and almost over
but a penalty prevented further progress. At this stage 15 minutes
had been played but there were no changes to the score despite
opportunities.

The pressure continued and Matt Sanderson went
close but Gordonians managed to clear their lines, albeit only
temporarily, as Stew Mel attacked once more with James, Ruaridh and
Darren Miller all involved. At last the pressure paid off, and, with
20 minutes played, ‘le Vert’ Scott Alldritt was in. Stew Mel 10 –
Gordonians 0.

The mounting pressure continued as Stew Mel made
good use of their possession with some good hands once more, Matt
Sanderson offloading to Sean who ultimately crossed for his second of
the afternoon. 30 minutes, played Stew Mel 15 – Gordonians 0.

A few changes then followed due to injuries.
Matthew Watson’s afternoon was over, which meant some shuffling
around, with the versatile Charlie Simmonds coming in on the wing,
Sean at full back and Connor McKay entering the fray along with Joe
Bailey.

These changes, in themselves, illustrate the
strength and depth that SM now have as half time approached.
Penalties were exchanged, as was possession, but, despite Gordonians
enjoying a bit more of the latter, Stew Mel’s defence held up once
more – particularly when it seemed that Gordonians were certain to
score when they were the beneficiaries of an interception. Half time
Stew Mel 15 – Gordonians 0.

There was certainly a spring in Gordonians’ step
as the second half got underway and they attacked once more. There
were no signs, at this stage, of these attacks waning, but, each
time, they were met by a brick wall, and, when Gordonians managed
either to earn a scrum or a penalty in their favour, the Stew Mel
back row, particularly, were out of their blocks like bullets,
knocking them back and preventing any territorial advantage.

On, at least, three occasions the Stew Mel
forwards wrapped up the opposition, winning the scrum and easing any
pressure that was coming their way. It did take a while before the
fourth try came, along with the bonus point – at around the 55 minute
mark, to be precise, courtesy of debutant Ally Scott, with Euan Bowen
this time adding the extras.

With the floodgates now slightly ajar, the
forwards rumbling on and around 65 minutes played, this time it was
Darren Miller who forced his way over. Stew Mel 27 – Gordonians 0.

Shortly after the restart, Ally, clearly not
content with his elevation to the first team and only one try to his
name, was over again for a second, converted by Euan, bringing the
score after about 67 minutes played to Stew Mel 34 – Gordonians 0.

Gordonians, although still in the mix, were now
struggling against a dominant Stew Mel side, with our forwards doing
the damage and Fraser Strachan, the lynchpin, varying play, foiling
the opposition and finding space and width. As Sean broke through a
few defenders, he sensibly realised that it was best to offload to
the young fresh legs of Charlie, who sprinted 50m for the final score
of the afternoon. Stew Mel 39 – Gordonians 0.

Another good day at Inverleith, and, although not
quite a ‘Dumfries’ performance, there was a touch of the Japanese
as we witnessed some great hands between both forwards and backs –
and, just like Scotland couldn’t live with it, neither could
Gordonians.

The defence was again resolute. Anyone who has played the game knows how physically and mentally draining it can be. That said, Gordonians were perhaps unlucky not to get some points on the scoreboard as they clearly had opportunities.

Match report courtesy of Stewarts Melville RFC

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