When our 1st XV met Dollar Academy in the Scottish Schools' Rugby Cup Final at Murrayfield on Wednesday 7 December they were supported by a large and vociferous crowd decked out in black, red and gold. On the night both teams put on a superb display of schoolboy rugby and Dollar’s performance might very well have been too good for most teams. Dollar were hard working in defence, played quickly and with skill going forward, as well as being hugely physical. The SMC boys however, despite being put under a great deal of pressure, were able to back themselves to play with real skill, width and creativity to eventually overcome an incredibly strong Dollar side.
Although Jacob Lineen and Jack Blain scored four of the tries with outstanding finishes, it was great to see so many of the forwards handle the ball and time their passes perfectly in the middle of the pitch to release our dangerous runners. Without these skills on display the tries would not have been scored and this was a great example to all of our rugby players that working hard on the basic skills is vital and will continue to allow us to play the Stew Mel way.
In the dying seconds SMC were given a chance to win the match, with a lineout deep in the Dollar 22m, on the last play of the game. A well executed lineout drive eventually saw Rory O’Hara force his way over the line for an amazing victory. The team and coaches would like to thank all those who attended on the evening for their amazing support.
Stewart’s Melville College: Findlay Smith, Jack Blain, Cameron Symes, Robbie McPherson, Jacob Lineen, Ross Thompson (Capt), Cameron MacDonald; Thomas Petiau, Edward Kelman, Rory O’Hara, Findlay McIlwraith, Chris Murchison, Ben Dollery, Connor Boyle, Callum Rowberry.
Replacements: Nathan Brown, Patrick Ritchie, Francis Fraser, Angus Douglas, Ronan Mountford-Smith, Toby Hughes.
