Watsonians 3s vs. Edinburgh Uni 4s

The men in maroon faced what is likely to be their most difficult game of the season, travelling all the way to Peffermill to face Edinburgh Uni 4s. They were sure to be raring to go after returning to term and before fully testing out the pubs. We welcomed some new recruits into the side - Adam Hall following his countrymen from Belfast Harlequins alongside some more local arrivals in Matthew Deane and Hamish Johnson.

Bell chose to open Saturday's proceedings with some inspirational words - "I could have picked a great team from all the players who weren't available. Oh and by the way, I'm leaving at half time". Despite this vote of confidence the old heads amongst the squad were quietly contemplative, conscious of how tight the 1-1 draw last season had been.

Watsonians won the push back and the shout of "We're only pushing back once, lets make it a good one" felt positive. The game opened nervously, with the decade many of the squad were giving to their opposite numbers practically invisible. Nick Smith and Adam Hall were carrying well on the right side, probing Uni's defensive line. As a team with a large number of EU graduates, Watsonians were able to shut down Uni's traditional tactic of shelling it out to the sides from the back line and they struggled to make ground.

Opportunities in the 'D' were coming though, with Sandy Hendry perhaps needing only to upgrade to a 37.5" stick in order to find the goal. Young Roddy Craig also showed good skill and pace, harrying their midfield line. It was end to end stuff and the pace was definitely taking its toll on the maroon shirts. Conkie and Sholdis were linking well to hold the main defensive line while Gray, Allan and Thomas closed down the side channels. Uni were finding gaps though, linking their midfield passes well with Swanson being called upon to intercept crosses on several occasions.

Half time hit and it was 0-0. There was some chat about how we were doing although it wasn't clear how many were able to hear over the collective sounds of everyone panting and taking on water.

The second half pushed back and Uni had obviously had a Gatland styled team talk for they came out of the blocks ferociously, upping both the intensity and phsyicality of an already rough game. The pressure was winning them shorts but they looked rough and unpracticed until they found a short pass from the injector. The shot was well aimed at the bottom corner with Gray getting his stick on it, but not strongly enough to keep it out. 1-0 down.

The 3s carry too much experience to let a single goal knock them though and they pressed back hard, determined to find an answer. And answer they did, for less than 5 minutes later the score was 1-1. Hendry's first short corner shot was saved by the keeper but in the resulting scramble Nick Smith was able to find the backboard.

Re-energised but clearly tiring, WHC pressed hard but struggled to create the opportunities that arose during the first half, Nick Smith in particularly carrying the ball well. Supported by an array of back stick tackles and passes that left the midfields frustrated, Uni built an attack down the WHC right hand side the shot was high, and wide, with Conkie diving to avoid it but it was turned in on the volley by Uni and hit the back netting. Dangerous? Almost certainly, but the umpire may have struggled to tell from his position on the pitch. Clearly tiring, Conkie chose this moment to arrange an impromptu 2 minute rest by expressing his disagreement with the decision.

Watsonians continued to look for the elusive equaliser but with heavy legs it didn't come and the final result was 2-1 against. Doug Swanson had an excellent game in goals and was awarded MoM.