Caledonia U16  29 Edinburgh U16   23

Edinburgh just missed out in a thrilling encounter with Caledonia as their District Under 16 programme reached it’s conclusion at Selkirk. Both teams produced a high quality display, in both attack and defence, that thrilled a vociferous crowd and produced seven tries and no little drama.

Playing with the strong wind at their backs Edinburgh opened the scoring with an early  Alistair Fraser penalty, but were rocked on six minutes when Caledonia full back Angus Guthrie forced his way over for a try.

Fraser’s second penalty to regain the lead was quickly followed by a try from wing Freddy Smith as Edinburgh seemed to take control, however the rest of the half belonged to Caledonia as they went over for two close range tries, with Guthrie adding both conversions to ease Caledonia into a 19-11 interval lead.

Now facing the wind Edinburgh needed to score first in the second half, but it was Caledonia who continued to dominate as Jack Somerville eluded his marker on half way and raced away for Caledonia’s fourth try, converted by Jack Urquhart.

Edinburgh threw caution to the wind, pressing Caledonia back into their own half and persistent infringements led to a sin-binning which Edinburgh immediately took advantage of when Damian Hoyland squeezed in at the right corner for an unconverted try. 

Edinburgh were right back in the contest with fifteen minutes remaining when Jamie Farndale grabbed a bouncing ball on half way and sprinted away from the Caledonia defence for a try converted by Fraser.

With their lead cut to just three points Caledonia established good field position and when Edinburgh conceded a penalty in front of the posts thirty metres out Urquhart made no mistake with the kick at goal.

Edinburgh pressed to the end of the match however the Caledonia defence was up to the challenge and any errors from the Edinburgh side saw the ball hammered back down the park, ensuring Edinburgh’s desperate attacks were restricted to long range, and more easily contained.    

Edinburgh Under 16
15. Damian Hoyland (Boroughmuir) 14. Freddy Smith (Edinburgh Academy 13. Ramsay Young (George Watson’s College) 12. Andrew McMillan (George Watson’s College) 11. Jamie Farndale (Edinburgh Academy) 10. Alistair Fraser (Boroughmuir) & 9. Alex Glashan (Edinburgh Academy)
1. Andrew Crammond (Royal HS?BATs) 2. Kyle Munro (Knox Academy/Haddington) Kyle Munro (Knox Academy/Haddington) 3. Jamie Sheddan (George Heriot’s School) 4. Rhys Jack (George Watson’s College) 5. Jake Tritton (Linlithgow) 6. Justin Duncan (Srewart’s Melville College) 7. Joe Jones (Merchiston Castle School) & 8. Chris Dean (Edinburgh Academy/North Berwick)
Replacements (all played)
16. Lewis Robinson (Boroughmuir) 17. Douglas McRae (Livingston) 8. Ruaridh Mitchell (Dunbar GS) 19. Chris Thompson (Edinburgh Academy) 20. Cameron Simpson (Edinburgh Academy) 21. Sam Pecquer (Trinity Academy/BATs) & 22. Ruairidh Young (Musselburgh)