Edinburgh travelled to Newcastle for their annual warm-up match on Sunday in preparation for the opening National Selection game with Glasgow

Recent bad weather had hampered the build up and along with one or two injuries meant we were not as well prepared as normal. However the weather was good  and we hoped for a good fast game on the all - weather pitch.

The opening exchanges were fast and furious with neither side establishing any real control. The first opportunity to open the score was a penalty to Edinburgh which unfortunately was missed as were two others shortly afterwards.

Edinburgh seemed to be getting on top with some good line-out play and driving rucks but were unable to make the final breakthrough, losing possession at vital moments.

Close to half time Falcons were awarded a penalty on our 22 but elected to go for touch which they won and drove forward with a series of rucks before moving it left quickly and a miss pass gave their wing a free run in for an unconverted try.

Edinburgh came back with a good passage of play between forwards and backs but again it came to nothing as Falcons cleared their lines with a penalty.

Half-time 0-5

Both sides made several changes for the second half with Falcons settling first. Their scrum-half now playing 10 received the ball and evaded several tackles in a wide angled run for a good individual try which was converted. An offside penalty further increased the Falcons lead. 15—0

Despite several good passages of play between forwards and backs, our finishing continued to let us down and the score-line remained blank.

Both sides had their chances and it was the Falcons who finished the scoring with an unconverted try. Final score 20—0.

Despite losing, the over-all exercise was well worth while and several players had creditable performances despite some of them having played the previous day. However the players know that the intensity and competitiveness will have to improve for next Sunday and  no doubt they will be working hard at their training sessions this week

Next Game. Sun 21st Feb. Myreside.  Edinburgh U18 v Glasgow U18. 2.00pm

Edinburgh Team
15. Scott McKean (George Watson’s College) 14. Harris Jones (Boroughmuir) 13. Michael Crawley (Stewart’s Melville College)
12. Tom Steven (Edinburgh Accies) 11.James Ferguson (Haddington) 10. Fraser Gillies (Capt) (Edinburgh Academy) & 9. Euan Smith (Haddington)                                                                                                                                    1.Chris Scott (George Watson’s College) 2.Fergus Scott (Currie) 3.Andy Philp (Currie) 4.Stuart Smith (North Berwick) 5.William Kay (Boroughmuir) 6.Lawrie Seydak (Edinburgh Academy) 7.Adam de Ste Croix (Boroughmuir) & 8.Malcolm Peacock (George Watson’s College)

Replacements                                                                                                                                                   16.Cal Davies (Haddington) 17.Struan Murphy (Edinburgh Academy) 18.Roddy Campbell (Haddington/Dunbar GS) 19.Nas Plevris (Edinburgh Academy) 20.Matt Walker (Boroughmuir) 21.Ben Johnstone (Stewart’s Melville College) 22.Jamie Lauder (North Berwick HS) 23.Jack Ferguson (George Watson’s College)