Edinburgh U17 20 Glasgow U17 26

Edinburgh were edged out in an exciting encounter with Glasgow at Murrayfield last night, in a match where both teams played some excellent rugby.

Glasgow started in dominant mood and created three clear-cut scoring opportunities in the opening ten minutes, without managing to finish any of them off. They did at last get the reward their play deserved after 17 minutes, when a break by Scott Steele led to Stewart Hamilton running clear for a try converted by David Scott.

In a rare visit to the Glasgow half, Edinburgh hit back immediately when a clever chip to the corner saw John Rae win the race to the ball, and Alex Haggart’s conversion levelled the score. This started a flurry of scoring with Glasgow crossing the Edinburgh line twice in three minutes, as Hamiton collected his second try and Callum Templeton rampaged over. Scott’s conversions stretched the Glasgow lead to 21-7. Edinburgh were able to reduce the deficit just before the interval with a Haggart penalty to bring the score to 21-10.

Edinburgh got the early try they were looking for in the second half when good hands in the Glasgow 22 sent Rae over for his second try and again Haggart was successful with the kick to reduce the deficit to four points. With momentum on their side Edinburgh dominated the majority of the second half but the Glasgow defence was able to soak up the pressure and hold firm.

With five minutes remaining Glasgow were penalised in front of their posts and Haggart’s penalty reduced the margin to one point, however Glasgow responded well and good play created space for James Stirling to outflank his marker then chip past full back Naysmith for Glasgow’s fourth try. With the conversion missed Edinburgh were still in the game with three minutes left, but Glasgow kept Edinburgh pinned in their own half for the rest of the match to prevent any chance of a home try.

The Edinburgh Management would like to thank the Glasgow team and the officials for the match and look forward to completing the Under 17 programme against Caledonia next week (Wednesday 24th Feb 2010 – 6.00pm KO – Murrayfield)

Edinburgh
15. Ewan Naysmith (Livingston) 14. John Rae (George Heriot’s) Alex Haggart (Stewart’s Melville) 12. Ryan Gray (Musselburgh) 11. Sam Goodrich (Boroughmuir) 10. Jack Polson (George Heriot’s) & 9. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Merchiston Castle)
1. Max Campbell (Stewart’s Melville) 2. Shaun Burns (Boroughmuir) 3. Max Johnson 4. Daniel Marinello & 5. Alexander Middleton (all George Watson’s) 6. Cameron Warnock (Loretto) 7. Angus White (Merchiston Castle) & 8.Rhys Davies (George Watson’s)
Replacements (all played)
16. Raymond Mackie (Preston Lodge) 17. Alexander Taylor (Trinity Academy/BATs) 18. Angus Black (Currie) 19. Ross McPhail (Stewart’s Melville) 20. Lewis Timmons (Trinity Academy/BATs) 21. Ewan Hooper & 22 Michael Firoozi (both George Heriot’s)