The touring party assembled at Kings Cross station on Friday morning at the designated hour of 10.00am. All with luggage, most as requested travelling lightly but one or two others looking as though they were going on holiday for a fortnight.
The next fifteen minutes before boarding the train was spent stocking up with as much food as possible for the forthcoming train ride to Edinburgh. All, and more, was consumed on the journey and this was a theme that continued throughout the weekend. Apparently they are growing boys!
Safe arrival in Edinburgh was followed by a swift transfer to the mini bus for a thirty minute ride to our accommodation at Gorton House. We were then presented with something of a shock. Where were we? This bore no resemblance whatsoever to Pontins –it was clean, it was dry, it was spacious and it was comfortable.
We decided that possession was the best approach in case there had been a mistake and so it was a quick unload and off to the local village for a fish and chip supper. Large portions, a play in the park and an introduction to the local police rounded off the first day. Photos of the ‘brush with the law’ are available on request.
Saturday morning dawned bright and clear and a full English set everyone off in the right frame of mind. We arrived at the Murrayfield Wanderers ground – literally in the shadow of Murrayfield stadium itself – to be confronted by a strange site. The pitches were coated in an odd green substance and apparently, so it was explained, this was turf made of something called grass. Clearly, we were going to have to get used to playing in strange conditions.
A quick tour of the international stadium and then preparation for the match, which turned out to be against a group of monsters – the Murrayfield Wanderers U18 team. Our initial energy (or was it fear?) caught the home team unawares and we were soon a try to the good with Richard T crashing over, following good collective forward work. The Wanderers then adopted a largely forward game using their size and strength and dominated possession for most of the half and found themselves 15 – 5 ahead. This could have been worse but great all round defence and particularly from Matt and Matt playing out of position in the backs helped us weather the storm. We were now looking increasingly dangerous on the break and swift ball resulted in Alex cutting the deficit to 15 – 10 at the interval.
We conceded a soft try at the start of the second half again unconverted, 20 -10 behind. The forwards were now coming much more into the game (superior fitness?) with Richard A and Jack to the fore in the loose. The lineout was operating particularly well with Nick and JD finding the salmon-like Wiggy on every occasion. With more ball the backs became increasingly prominent and Alex again went over to cut the deficit to 20 – 15. However, we conceded a try almost immediately to, once again, trail by 10 points at 25 – 15, and only 10 minutes to go. Harry and Ewan were now running the ball at every opportunity and a superb break out from our 22 resulted in Alex going 60m for another score, 25 – 20 (you will have noted at this point that neither kicker had their conversion boots on!). From the re-start a strong surge from Richard T followed by great support play from forwards and backs resulted in yet another try for Alex, under the posts, and the scores level at 25 – 25.
Could Ewan break his duck with the conversion? The roar from the away supporters confirmed he had, 27 – 25 and only a few minutes to go. Surely we would run down the clock with no alarms. Not quite so simple with missed touches, penalties conceded and desperate defence but, thankfully, Harry picked the right moment to clear into touch and we had held on for a very hard fought and deserved win. A lot of tired bodies and much jubilation from all.
A couple of injuries to report to Nick (a rather fetching graze to his face which he was convinced would get the girls flocking) and to Matt F who was finding out that life isn’t quite so easy with the girls in the backs!
We then spent a very pleasant couple of hours with our hospitable and friendly hosts before departing to Edinburgh for site-seeing and, in most cases, more eating. Back to Gorton House for a Pilates session, massage and early night in preparation for the rigours ahead.
Sunday morning greeted us once more bright and sunny and a trip to William Wallace’s cave led by the master of Gorton House. He seemed to explain with rather too much zeal, and brandishing a big stick, how many of ‘The English’ had been slaughtered in the area!
Off to Dunfermline we went at which point our Head Coach then doubled as tour guide as we entered his home turf. Less palatial surroundings at the rugby club than the day before but no less warm a welcome. Stifling heat once again as we prepared to take on a mixture of Dunfermline U16/17 and one 18.
We soon gained control against very spirited opposition and were particularly dominant in the scrum with James, Nick and Richard A impressive in the front row. This resulted in two quick tries from Wiggy from scrums close to their line and a third from Alex, following a set move from the backs. Dom, our guest full back from overseas at Ensians, impressed throughout and slotted a conversion to give us a comfortable 17 – 0 lead after 20 minutes.
Comfortable and straightforward? Not a bit of it! Our version of champagne rugby was a bit flat and a catalogue of mistakes allowed the home team a couple of soft tries, bringing the score to 17 – 10. They were now in the ascendant. Fortunately Wiggy then mistook some words of tactical advice from the coach as personal admonishment and embarked on a one man wrecking spree tackling anything that moved, thankfully mostly the opposition. This stopped the home side momentum and we reached half time still ahead.
Some stern words at the break and we were back in the groove. The forwards continued to dominate the set piece and Matt D (now back in his favoured position on the flank following stoical work on the wing), Jack and Richard T showing well in the loose. Harry and Ewan were working smoothly at half back with Ewan kicking and running astutely and Harry providing swift service and winding up and unsettling his opposite number at every opportunity – even the Head Coach was seen to nod in approval at this!
A period of sustained pressure then resulted in two further tries for Alex (bringing his personal total for the weekend to 7 tries – a great performance), mainly as a result of the opposition concentrating their defence on his hooker turned centre partner, JD, who they had clearly, and rightly, identified as the danger man. One try converted by Dom and the score was now 29 – 10 in our favour.
Back came the home side with great spirit but a couple of big hits from James and Matt F, who had ignored his injury to come off the bench and bolster us just when we needed it, restricted them to a consolation try. We were pleased to hear the final whistle and run out 29 – 17 winners.
Another fine team performance and two wins from two.
A quick shower and into the clubhouse for very convivial post match socialising after which it was off with our tour guide to see more of the sights of Dunfermline. We arrived back at Gorton House with the sun still shining and more than ready for a light supper of steamed fish and vegetables, after which it was discussion deep into the night on the finer points of scrummaging, lines of running, defensive patterns and the like.
Always, of course, ensuring that the tour party was, at all times, properly and adequately hydrated.
Monday morning came and a more leisurely awakening and ensuing breakfast. Some tidying up and then a quick pack and into the mini bus for the trip to Edinburgh station. Six hours later and we were back from whence we had departed in the familiar surroundings of the BRFC car park and returning sons (largely all in one piece) to loving parents.
Enormous thanks to Angela who masterminded this entire event and without whom this tour would not have taken place. I cannot emphasise enough just how much time and effort is required in organising these outings.
Thanks also to Angela for taking over the breakfast chef duties from the coach, much to the relief of the boys.
Thanks to Keith for his support throughout on the touchline, in the kitchen and at the bar.
Thanks to Judith and Georgina, our cheerleaders.
Finally, to all the lads. This is our sixth (or is it seventh?) and final tour as this group and, once again, you represented yourselves and BRFC superbly both on and off the pitch. I hope that you will take away some great memories. I know that the coaches have.