Moray House

Rugby Football Club

Ground: Jack Kane Centre, 208 Niddrie Mains Road, Edinburgh.

Match Report:

Moray House 13 Edinburgh Northern 17

There were no fewer than seven changes to the team from the previous week, this in an effort to win this table topping match.  We got off to a great start. The kick-off was fielded by Northern but we managed to turn it over and when me made progress into their 22 the Northern backs were caught offside. Malcolm converted. Both teams were trying to run the ball and when a Northern move reached the centre he was knocked back by a double hit from Tim and Ben.  Good scrum ball was moved well by the backs, Ben came into the line and broke through and passed before he was tackled by the fullback, Stuart spilled the pass with the line at his mercy. We were forcing play in the Northern half. Scrum ball won against the head by Charlie, moved out to Tim who set up the ruck. Northern were penalised for offside. Rusty took it quick and dived under the defence to score. The conversion was missed. We were on top, as Northern could not get out of their own half. We were reduced to 14 when Jim Shannly was yellow carded for a frond row offence and unfortunately he dislocated his shoulder at the same time. Good ball won at a lineout was passed along the backs to Ali,who put in a grubber kick, which was chased by Ben. The ball was heading into touch when Stuart caught it in mid air and flicked it over his head, Ben gathered it and dived over in the corner to score. The referee brought the first half to a close but according to my timing it was at least four minutes early. HT 13-0

We made a good start to the second half, fielded the kick off and set it up for Malcolm to make a fine clearance kick.  The first 15 minutes of the half were evenly contested. Northern were now playing the game in our half and were rewarded with a penalty for offside at a ruck. This was followed shortly after by another successful penalty for holding on the ground after the tackle. We tried to make our way back up the pitch but each time were forced back when we lost the ball. Northern got within striking distance of us when they moved the ball to the winger who broke through and beat the defence to score, Rusty almost held him up. Malcolm made a break into their 22 but was not well enough supported to keep the move going, We were now starting to concede penalties at regular intervals. Every time there was a phase of play the referee managed to spot an infringement to award Northern a penalty. They took the lead from a penalty for holding on with the Northern players coming over the ball and extended the lead, with two minutes to go, for offside in front of the kicker. We made one final effort to win the match; Rusty took the ball from a ruck, broke a tackle and was drought down just short of the line. He was held and made another attempt at the line but was penalised for a double movement despite releasing the ball.