Santa arrived early at Hallhill, but all the presents ended in Heriots
sack. The gulf between private school rugby where training is three
days a week and club was witnessed very vividly as Dunbar slumped to a
large defeat. The omens looked bleak before the start as important
members of the side failed to show leaving an unrecognised centre back
pairing of Jack Young and Josh Nicol to take to the field. This was
always likely to be one of the toughest matches of the season and no
shows left both team mates and coaches devoid of any xmas spirit,
in fact scrooge would have been happier at this point
With the home team already somewhat deflated like a Hogmanay party
balloon on January 2nd, the match kicked off with Dunbar facing brilliant
sunshine and receiving. The Edinburgh outfit were on top right from the
off, taking advantage of the nonplussed home team's start and were
soon three unconverted tries up. Eventually the green team rose from
their slumbers and competed with smallest lad on the park Struan
Fenn leading the way with text book tackles. The scrum also had the
better of things early on, but good possession was lost as the school
boy’s defensive line scuppered any suggestion of a Dunbar fight back.
The boys in blue were much more dynamic at the breakdown, constantly
stealing the ball against a hesitant green team. Young switched to 10
after Jack Armstrong departed. But at least Dunbar were now making a
game of it and never allowed Heriots to take their foot off the
peddle. Another score came right at the end of the 1st half.
Dunbar 0
Heriots 20.
Dunbar nearly gave the home supporters something to cheer about
early in the second half but was thwarted close to the line on three
occasions. But this merely stirred the beast as Heriots bounced back
with a try. But a spirited Dunbar (although technically playing second
fiddle) showed character not to be overwhelmed even though it was clear
confidence was ebbing away from them. Nicol's trade mark bone
crunching tackles were witnessed on a number of occasions but lack of
possession made it a rear guard performance. Scrum half Tom Wight
was carried off after making a courageous tackle on another Heriot
player twice his size and coming off second best. Young moving again to
9. Young epitomized the Dunbar spirit. As the game was coming to a
close, two further tries were scored by the away team and finally one
being converted which met with slightly uncalled for cheers of
derision. FINAL SCORE DUNBAR 0 Heriots 37.
Credit to the Dunbar lads that they agreed to another 20 mins
development period. But further tries were scored as the home team
tired. Heriots superior organisation, particularly at the breakdown was
there for all to see and the green team hopefully will learn.
Protection and possession of the ball has become much more important
at u15 level. Natural ability which this team has constantly shown
over the years needs to be complemented by a big dollop of team work
and combined ball winning and possession skills . At this level all
fifteen players must tackle well every time as missed ones mean
punishment. But we must remember seven of the squad are S2's and the
team bears no resemblance to the successful team of last season and
they need time as this year has been a big step up.
Not the end of year celebration that we hoped for and recognition of
the hard work that lies ahead, but what I do know is this team are a
great bunch of lads and they will roll their sleeves up to get back to
winning ways . Constant repetition of drills is a must so the skills
required are taken into the games. But we will get there.