Friday 25 August: Stirling Wolves v Watsonians

The rain did not let up as Jason Baggott got the game underway at Bridgehaugh. Watsonians stayed deep in Wolves territory for the majority of the first part of the game however the host’s defence worked tirelessly to keep them at bay.

The first try came at the 20-minute mark as Murdo McAndrew got the ball to Jake Kerr who slipped through the Wolves defence. He made a strategic inside pass back to McAndrew as he sprinted towards the try line. However, it was not meant to be as Wolves Craig Jackson made a fantastic tackle as he pushed McAndrew out of bounds.

The throw in was poor and Jake Kerr was determined to finish what he started last set and crashed over the try line putting the first points on the board. Jason Baggott added the extras.

The remained of the first half saw a lot of back and forth across the pitch from both sides but neither team were successful in obtaining any points, therefore Watsonians were ahead as they entered the break.

HALF-TIME: Stirling Wolves 0 – 7 Watsonians

The hosts were hot out the gate in the second half as they quickly got some points on the board. Ryan Southern kept the ball alive as he passed to Ed Timson who barrelled through the Watsonians defence. A successful offload to Ross McKnight saw him crash over the whitewash to the left of the posts. This made kicking easy work for Marcus Holden as the ball soared through the sticks.

Wolves were not satisfied to just be even on the scoreboard as they secured their lead with a powerful driving maul close to their line soon after which sent Gregor Hiddleston over for the five points. Conversion by Holden was successful.

Another try came in quick succession for the hosts as a successful throw in from their 5-metre line saw their driving maul once again go to deck with Gregor Hiddleston at the helm for his second try of the evening. The conversion was successful.

With no further points added in the final 15 minutes of play Stirling Wolves lead led them to victory and Watsonians lost their first game in this year’s Super Series Championship.

FULL-TIME: Stirling Wolves 21 – 7 Watsonians

Referee: Ruairidh Campbell
FOSROC Player of the Match: Gregor Hiddleston (Stirling Wolves)

TRIES:
Stirling Wolves: Ross McKnight, Gregor Hiddleston (2)
Watsonians: Jake Kerr

CONVERSIONS:
Stirling Wolves: Marcus Holden (3)
Watsonians: Jason Baggott

Friday 25 August: Boroughmuir Bears v Ayrshire Bulls

The scoring for the evening was opened up by the Bulls in the 6^th minute when a collective effort of accurate passes from teammate to teammate allowed the men in pink to charge up the field and Thomas Glendinning to dive over the line.

The first try for the Bears came in quick succession when scrumhalf Josh Beveridge made a nifty chip over his opponents to collect and sprint towards the line. George Paul’s conversion was successful.

A line out on the Bears’ 22 saw the ball get into the hands of Blair MacPherson who passed out to Bobby Beattie. He put his foot on the gas and slipped passed all the Bears defence, dotting down just right of the posts. Brad Rodrick-Evans’ kick was good, bringing the visitors up another seven points.

Another try came for the Bulls in quick succession when after a successful line out, the ball got into the hands of Grant Stewart at the helm of the maul. He collapsed over the line bringing the visitors to a ten-point lead.

Bobby Beattie managed to grab his second try of the evening through a perfectly timed chip and chase over the Bears defence. He sprinted past his opponents to dot down just left of the posts. Brad Rodrick-Evans’ kick was good.

HALF TIME: Boroughmuir Bears 7 – 24 Ayrshire Bulls

It was almost 30 minutes into the second half when the scoring resumed. The Bulls gathered a penalty in the Bears’ 22 for the hosts being offside in a rolling maul, allowing Christian Townsend to have a go at the posts. The kick was successful.

A penalty awarded to the Bulls five meters out of their try line was grabbed quickly by Fergus Johnston who took all of the Bears defence by surprise and slipped past to dot down. Christian Townsend made a successful conversion.

An ill-timed turn from Blair MacPherson resulted in a shoulder to the Bears ball-carriers head, meaning he was shown a red from the referee and sent off.

Another card was shown, this time to the Bears centre Joe Jenkins for a high tackle shortly after. He was shown a yellow and sent to the sinbin.

The Bulls’ capitalised off this infringement and after series of powerful phases, Alex McGuire got his name on the score sheet. Christian Townsend’s kick was good once again.

And to finish off in style, another powerful rolling maul from the Bulls played out to Fergus Johnston who found space and dived over the line. Christian Townsend’s finalised the score with a successful conversion.

FULL TIME: Boroughmuir Bears 7 – 48 Ayrshire Bulls

Referee: Rob McDowell
FOSROC Player of the Match: Bobby Beattie (Ayrshire Bulls)

TRIES:
Boroughmuir Bears: Josh Beveridge
Ayrshire Bulls: Thomas Glendinning, Bobby Beattie (2), Grant Stewart, Fergus Johnston (2), Alex McGuire

CONVERSIONS:
Boroughmuir Bears: George Paul
Ayrshire Bulls: Brad Rodrick-Evans (2), Christian Townsend (3)

PENALTIES:
Ayrshire Bulls: Christian Townsend

YELLOW CARD:
Boroughmuir Bears: Joe Jenkins

RED CARD:
Ayrshire Bulls: Blair MacPherson

Saturday 26 August: Heriot’s Rugby v FOSROC Future XV

The first try came for the FOSROC Future XV when Callum Ferrie found space in the Heriot’s defence and tanked his way up the right wing to dot down. Isaac Coates completed the scoring with a successful conversion.

After a long period of back-and-forth play, a line out within the Futures’ 22 allowed Heriot’s to apply some pressure. It was a strong driving maul that got the hosts closer to the try line, eventually allowing Sam Wallace to break free and slip through to dive over the whitewash.

Both teams had a couple of opportunities to add to their score in the first half, however none came to fruition and the visitors closed the first half two points ahead.

HALF TIME: Heriot’s Rugby 5 – 7 FOSROC Future XV 

Heriot’s opened the scoring for the second half through a series of recycled ball which was passed out to George Barber on the wing. With little Future XV defence to counteract, the replacement wing dotted down smoothly in the corner.

When Isaac Coates tried to clear the ball from the Futures back line, it was hit back and out by the Heriot’s counterattack, resulting in a scrum close to the line. This heavy maul rumbled over the line with Fin Campbell at the helm, bringing the hosts up another five points. Captain Ross Jones made the conversion.

The FOSROC Future XV responded almost immediately when a loose ball made its way into the hands of Jack Hocking who sprinted and dived under the posts. Isaac Coates’ boot was good.

A line out within the Futures 22 let Heriot’s produce some controlled phases and eventually get the ball into the hands of centre Dan King who slipped past the defence to get Heriot’s their bonus point try. Bruce Houston took over kicking duties and was successful with his conversion.

Play became a bit messy as it made its way back up towards the Heriot’s try line, however Matt Davidson managed to collect, control and make his way over the line for another five points. Bruce Houston’s boot was good again bringing the hosts to a 12 point lead.

Another try came for Heriot’s when the team brought play back up towards their line and Liam Richman slipped past the defence. Bruce Houston’s consistent kicking made sure the team got the full set of points.

Sam Wallace got his second try of the afternoon when play once again got into the Futures 22 and he weaved past the defence. Bruce Houston added the extras, finalising the score for the afternoon.

FULL TIME: Heriot’s Rugby 45 – 14 FOSROC Future XV 

Referee: Jonny Perriam
FOSROC Player of the Match: Sam Wallace (Heriot’s Rugby)

TRIES:
Heriot’s Rugby: Sam Wallace (2), George Barber, Fin Campbell, Dan King, Matt Davidson, Liam Richman
FOSROC Future XV: Callum Ferrie, Jack Hocking

CONVERSIONS:
Heriot’s Rugby: Ross Jones, Bruce Houston (4)
FOSROC Future XV: Isaac Coates (2)