JUST when you think you have this league sussed, Heriots take 60 points off Watsonians whilst limiting the Myreside men to nil in a complete demolition, and Stirling Wolves, who looked the week before to be arriving in the top half of the league, lose limply to previously struggling Southern Knights.
The whole Heriot’s team could be picked this week, but four-try flanker Sam Wallace and three-try centre Matt Davidson were the stand-outs. Loose-head Chris Keen and second-row Jamie Campbell were big contributors in a dominant front-five, while skipper for the day Cam Fenton is deeply unfortunate to miss out at hooker after a man-of-the-match performance. George Barber didn’t score but impressed on the left wing.
At one point, Heriots must have had the smallest back row in the competition in Wallace, Duncan Hood and Wallace Nelson, and when Wallace was forced off after a second knock, the equally small Grant Hughes joined them as a flanker. Who says rugby is all about bulk!
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Meanwhile, stand-off Gregor McNeish‘s steady hand against Stirling Wolves was key to guiding the Knights to that long-awaited second win of the campaign, using ball wisely and setting up the try of the game by winger Aidan Cross, who also makes this week’s Dream Team. Tight-head Dan Gamble and hard-carrying second-row Allan Ferrie are also selected, while Corbin Thunder – another hooker – made a strong case for inclusion but misses out.
Luca Bardelli had a couple of scorching runs at full-back as Ayrshire Bulls become the latest side to put the Future XV to the sword, Lewis McNamara grafted hard at blindside flanker, Blair Macpherson weighed in with two tries from No 8 and Alex McGuire was man-of-the-match for the Millbrae men at hooker.
That means only the three winning sides provide players to this week’s Dream Team, with Future XV Freddy Douglas (who made a couple of great cover tackles on Bardelli), Watsonians back-three men Dom Coetzer and Scott King and the relentless Connor Gordon of Stirling Wolves worth a mention.
15. Luca Bardelli (Ayrshire Bulls)
14. Aidan Cross (Southern Knights)
13. Matt Davidson (Heriot’s)
12. Callum Grieve (Southern Knights)
11. George Barber (Heriot’s)
10. Gregor McNeish (Southern Knights)
9. Fin Campbell (Heriot’s)
1. Chris Keen (Heriot’s)
2. Alex McGuire (Ayrshire Bulls)
3. Dan Gamble (Southern Knights)
4. Jamie Campbell (Heriot’s)
5. Allan Ferrie (Southern Knights)
6. Lewis McNamara (Ayrehire Bulls)
7. Sam Wallace (Heriot’s)
8. Blair Macpherson (Ayrshire Bulls)
Iain Morrison’s essential RWC23 pool guide – Pool A: The dull one; qualification is a shoo-in
I will leave others to comment on whether the structure or not is right- one thing for sure is that there are some high level games and some cracking rugby on display!
0-64? 40-0? 92-14 a couple of weeks ago? Competitive high level games? Dream on.