Falkirk played Waid for the first time in this teams history. Cala Park was looking great in the sunshine and was a hive of activity with the 1ST XV, 2nd XV and under 18 all playing at home.
For the first time in the league this season the game was to be played at 15 aside, with Waid welcoming back some of their regular players and Falkirk rotating their squad both teams looked evenly matched.

Falkirk started the game well, dominating possession and looked the more threatening team in the first exchanges but Waid were competitive in the tackle and breakdown and the game remained scoreless for the first 15 minutes. Falkirk eventually broke the deadlock, from a scrum at the half way, the ball was whisked out to the backline who took it at pace and some slick passing created space for the home team fullback to run into and score in the corner, conversion missed.

Falkirk were now in the ascendency and repeatedly attacked the visitors defence line and should have scored two more tries but for the final pass going astray. However, they were not to be denied and scored their 2nd try of the game, a hook against the head gave Falkirk the ball and taking advantage of realigning Waid defence Falkirk utilised the space and scored in the corner, try converted. The game became bitty and both teams became frustrated with the referee decisions, Falkirk manage to score another 2 unconverted ties but had a player sin binned just before the end of the first half for not retreating 10.

Half Time: Falkirk 22 V Waid 0

At the beginning of the 2nd half Falkirk continued were they left off, on the front foot and playing good rugby running rugby, with 14 players they managed to score 2 quick tries in a many minutes and continued to pile the pressure on the visitors. The games was stopped for an injury to one of the Waid backs who injured his shoulder in stopping one of the Falkirk props, his commitment to the tackle was appreciated by his team mates and spectators alike, with his opponents having nothing but respect for his courage.

Falkirk continued to be the dominant team, with Waid rarely troubling the home team try line, Falkirk had scored another 3 tries, converting only one of them and were leading 49-0 before Waid put their name on the score board. Waid under pressure kicked from their 22, this was knocked on by the home team defence, the Waid winger who chasing down the kick managed to hack on, he was impeded by the covering Falkirk wing and the referee deemed that he would have scored and awarded a penalty try to the visitors.

Falkirk’s best and last try came in the final minute, from a lineout at halfway, Falkirk stole the ball at the top of the flight, from the top it was dropped into the number 9 hands who fired a pass out to the backs, running straight and true the backs ran on to the ball at pass drawing their respective opponent before passing on, the result that the Falkirk wing was put into the clear to run in unopposed, a fine end to the game.

Final Score: Falkirk 54 V Waid 7

It makes a difference when we can play a 15 aside game and more enjoyable for the players and spectators. Waid are a good side and certainly held their own in the set piece, the Falkirk team was a mixture of performance and development players, as coaches it was good to see the development of the players as individuals but more importantly as a team. The backs in particular were much more improved in their running lines and handling skills, saying that there is still room for improvement a bit more composure in the final pass and we could have easily scored 4 more tries. Knowing when to move the ball quickly or when to draw and pass or take the ball into contact will come with experience and make a potentially potent offence more effective.

Everyone played well and played as a team, there is a saying that there is no I in team and we should always remember that we score as ONE, we win as ONE, we make mistakes as ONE and we lose as ONE. As coaches, seeing team mates supporting each other particularly when someone made a mistake filled us with pride and bodes well for the future, as it will only make this team better and stronger.

There were many fine performances in the game but for his all round general play, good communicating and organising and making the right decision at the right time, man of the match goes to Ewan Rooney