2011/12 Results & Match Reports

An encouraging start but old frailties still there to scupper our performance is how I would sum up our first game of the season. With 8 call off's it was good to see we still had 24 bodies down looking for a start. The game started well as so many have with the forwards taking control & giving good field position. The backs breaking the gain line with ease.

We scored the first try of the game through some excellent continuity play & the ever present & workmanlike Lee Walsh was there to score. We could have stretched further ahead but missed a couple of penalties & the conversion. It was looking too good to be true against a team in the league above us. It took Moray House 20 minutes to step in to stride but when they did, their forwards took control & were far more aggressive & direct at the breakdown. It resulted in us being on the back foot for most of the remainder of the game, unable to match their physicality & fitness.

Moray went on to score 4 tries with no return until Mr T scored a brilliant individual try cutting the defence apart with his speed & footwork to land under the posts. We had several passages of good play which threatened on occasion after this, our backs looked dangerous when they got good ball but it was not happening to close the gap any further. A couple of late tries from Moray left a final score of 12-34 & a well earned beer at the Queens

I was disappointed to see several of our more experienced players leaving the pitch through minor injury (also happened once during live play which is wholly unacceptable). We really need to work on our mental toughness to move forward, even the House player coach told me we have a great team but we are far too nicey, nicey at the breakdown & lack the killer instinct. This was evident near the end when the opposition were awarded a penalty deep in our 22. At least 5 of our players were either still lying on the ground or had their backs turned when they took a quick tap & scored the last try.

Ok, so you could call it a tough game to start the season (however Moray arrived with only 15 & no subs). There are many positives we can work on, so despondancy is not an option, we simply lift our game & go forward. Thanks to Simon Hall's brother Jim & "T" for guesting; both had incredible games. Other performances of note came from Walshy, Ryan & Alex who got MOTM in T's absence at the pub & even won the boat race for us. Si vis pacem, para bellum - look after yourself & we will see you safe back at the club soon.