Loretto played with a strong wind behind them in the first half and used this advantage extremely well. Despite dominating the set pieces all day, astute tactical kicking from the Loretto 10 combined with unforced NBHS errors meant that the hosts were pinned in their own half for long periods. The physicality of the big Loretto forwards in open play eventually told with two quick unconverted tries.
NBHS then came back into the game with an excellent try by Scott Burnside from a 5m scrum after a lineout drive from the 22m was held up over the line.
Whilst NBHS were more than matching Loretto in attack, the visitors capitalised on some disorganised defence to score two more tries out wide to give them a 24-5 lead at the interval.

With the wind now at their backs NBHS were confident that similar tactics to those that Loretto used would provide the foundation to take advantage of their almost total lineout dominance where Lewis Carmichael was winning ball at will. However a rather dubious yellow card to scrum half Jack Hall meant that the home team had to cope with the first 10 minutes down to 14 men. A lack of focus then let Loretto in for an easy try down the blind side where the extra defender would have been.
With plenty of time left and back to their full compliment NBHS then showed a level of naivety by looking to chase the game from deep instead of playing the game in the opposition half and paid the price with another conceded try.
With time running out the players eventually got the message and good kicking by Harvey Elms and Ross Wilson meant the last 10 minutes were played entirely in Loretto’s 22 and only great defending by them stopped NBHS adding to their total. FT 5-36

Overall the score didn’t really reflect the game itself although Loretto did deserve their win for the way they adapted better to the conditions. The NBHS boys played with plenty of passion and team spirit and with a bit more game sense will start to turn these kinds of games from defeats into victories.

Author : D. Mackay