Penicuik/Dalkieth and Harrogate

Forrester took on the might of the North of England and a sprightly Penicuik/Dalkieth side.

The first game saw the S1/S2 take on the local talent from Midlothian. Forrester kicked long and the visitors failed to deal with the ball which was bouncing unpredictably off the hard turf. Cammy - W gathered near the line to open the scoring.

From the tap restart Forrester showed good line defence and co-ordinated aggression to force a mistake by Penicuik almost immediately. Cammy quick reactions saw him tidy up the loose ball, showing perfect presentation skills. This intelligent play allowed Aaron – M to romp through some week defence to score.

Penicuik had woken up and had some good skills. Their right wing ran strongly exploiting week defending and after setting up good quick ball. They moved it through a couple of hands to score between the sticks.

The coaches were pleased with Forresters improvement in the scrum (Aaron, Keron & Cammy showing great shape) and contact (Josh & Michael doing what the boiler house should) and the obvious efforts the lads were putting in to produce the skills they have been practicing.

The coups de gras backs and forwards working together. Hard work from the forwards saw the ball carried forward, producing quick ball, the backs had the vision and ability to move the ball wide for Jamie to release George who showed good speed and strength to go over in the corner.

When you get it right you get it right and Daniel presented a ball beautifully, this allowed the forwards to clear the ball and with Jamie drawing in the backs he released Keron to romp home.

There was lots of good rugby played by the boys, they are progressing well on this showing.

Game 2 against Harrogate 1

Loss

This was a sterner test altogether, Harrogate were up for it from the start and both teams cancelled each other out in the early exchanges. The competition for the ball was fierce with both teams rucking, the visitors entering from the side from time to time however slightly lower and explosive.

Forrester were trying hard to gain some continuity and were trying to offload out of the tackle. This was very encouraging to all the coaching staff as this is what we desire and it was unfortunate that the visitors 2 tries came from an offload going astray and Harrogate launching a quick counterattack. Breaking the sparse defence and weak tackling. I say unfortunate as we do not want this to prevent this type of creative play in future games.

Forrester had an equal proportion of the ball and the scrum continued to fair well with (Kevin & Alex showing good body position). The backs ran hard but struggled to get fully on the front foot.

I was happy after this game, we were playing a team which had won through to the semi final of their county competition and were a good side. We need to play this type of game for we always learn more from a sterner test.

Game 3 Harrogate 2

Draw

Again the greenies went at it hard there were little difference in the teams and Forrester lost a try early when trying to offload and not making the connection. I was not worried, as I have said to many you will not be criticised for trying to do some of the things we are trying to develop.

The contact, the scrums, the passing all shows just how far we have come, the secret it to see how for we can go.

We were a little high in some mauls, need to recognise a hammer ball and what to do and run onto the ball.

Suddenly from a free kick Cammy hits the ball on the run, completes a successful offload out the tackle and Brad ghosts over to level the scores.

Forrester then started to exercise some control and after good work Daniel who tried hard all afternoon went over to put the greens in the lead.

I thought that we had the measure of this team; however they were good with nice skills and some strong runners. They hammered at the Forrester line and some tenacious tackling kept the visitors out. It was in the end in vain and their strong No.8 now playing centre that breached the green line.

I have not mentioned many that deserve a mention, they fall into the bracket of player that is intelligent enough to know that it is not always what you do when you have the ball but what you do when you do not have the ball.

THIS TEAM GROWS UNITED AND STRONGERWITH EVERY GAME, THE GREEN LINE GROWS STRONGER WITH EVERY GAME, THE GREEN JERSEY IS FILLED WITH A FITTER STRONGER INDIVIDUAL WITH EVERY WEEK, THE PLAYER BECOMES LESS GREENER TO THE GAME WITH EVERY WEEK, THE OPPOSITION BECOMES GREEN WITH ENVY WITH EVERY WIN AND THE GREEN MACHINE GETS BETTER WITH EVERY YEAR.

Jingles

• Opportunity to meet the Edinburgh and Scotland stars AND get their signatures!
• Exclusive access to the Scotland Junior supporters website
• Christmas card and gift from the Scotland team (in first year of membership)
• Entry into exclusive competitions
• Invite to attend events such as a player Q&A and chance to train with the Scotland team

The next match which the FREE ticket offer applies to is the Heineken Cup match against Ulster on the weekend of 24th April (Date and kick off to be confirmed).  In order to claim your two FREE tickets to this match, please sign up before midday on Friday 16th April.

It is easy to sign up – all you need to do is log on to www.edinburghcrew.co.uk and complete the registration form.  There are also more details about the Supporters Club on the website.

The sledges are packed away and the snow has melted. Rugby is back – being played on pitches all across Scotland . Even after the snow the night before, which had melted away and left the ground heavy and the air cold. The Greenies S2 team took to the field, may with chattering teeth and folded arms and although not visible the odd cobweb or two. A minutes silence was observed for one of rugby’s greats Bill McLaren.

The game started with both teams making mistakes, however there was plenty of effort being expended. Falkirk had the best of the opening exchanges, progressing up down field with their larger pack and strong running back.

This pressure paid dividends and Falkirk opened the scoring. Rugby is a simple game and doing the simple things really well is the key to success. Forrester were loosing the ball in contact, not having enough support thus being driven off the ball, taking the ball standing still in the backs and taking quick penalties and running straight at their opposition’s strength. They needed someone to kick start them from their slumber and it came in the form of Cameron Walker who picked from a ruck and ran straight at the 10 channel, showing great feet agility to avoid his tacklers and charge half the length of the field to score. This try seemed to waken Forrester up a bit and they began to exert pressure right away and after some scrappy error strewn play Forrester forwards won a good ruck and the ball was moved left. The pass had gone to ground, but Anthony Gilchrist was onto it like a flash and demonstrated a lovely out side run to strip the defence to score.

Half time brought and opportunity for the Greens to regroup and plan there second half tactics. We agreed keep it simple and that’s exactly what the team did. The first 10 minutes of the second half saw some tremendous running rugby. Forrester ran hard at Falkirk and had learnt from the mistakes of the first half with the support on immediate hand to clear out the ruck. The ball was moved quickly through Blair’s hands at first receiver, finding Aaron Mason lurking in the back division, who exploited the space created by his team mates and with a dummy and strength forced his way over.

You always felt if Forrester could get quick ball and move it through first receivers hands quickly enough they would be dangerous. Well this new found confidence was to be taken advantage of and the Green Machine were at it almost immediately. A strong run up field by the forwards with close support ensuring quick ball led to Falkirk coming in from the wrong side and a penalty to Forrester. This was quickly taken and having learned from the mistakes in the first half they moved the ball away from Falkirk ’s strength. Releasing the strong running Jamie Summers who found Adam Millar who romped home for the try of the game. The scorer adding the conversion.

Falkirk were not going to lie down and their efforts should be recognised there forwards kept taking the game to Forrester and were well complemented by one of their strong running backs. They moved up field after Forrester gave away a penalty, kicking into the corner and winning the lineout. There bigger pack pounded the Forrester line and eventually breached the defence for a converted try.

As Forrester regrouped behind the line with me emploring to accept the referees decision and go back playing the game that had been so successful in the first 10 minutes of the second half. There discipline is to be admired and they returned to attacking ways, exerting pressure on their opposition. It was not long before they had won a good ruck ball which Blair moved through his hands quickly releasing the impressive Jamie Summers who showed good balance, pace, agility to burn the defence and fly in for the score.

This report mentions all the scorers and not the members of the team who play such an important part in the game. Let me assure you that without your contribution the tries would have not been scored, rugby is a fantastic team game that needs all players to co-operate and once we fully understand we will undoubtedly win more games than we lose. Remember there is no I in TEAM .

Jingles   

The P1-P7 games on Sunday at Livingston has been cancel Livingston pitches are unplayable 

 Colin McArthur

Forrester 33 Gala Wanderers 22

Saturday saw a lovely day for rugby greet the teams at Union Park . The home side had lost some players to the 1sts and 2nds, however still had a reserve on the touchline.

It was the home side that came out the changing room with the better tempo and immediately began to recycle some quick ruck ball.

An early lineout in Forresters half saw good pressure applied at the front of the line by Colin Dunlop, forcing the visitors to palm. Hooker Aidan Beveridge needed no invitation and was through, great off load to 2^nd Row Shaun Hardie who showed soft hands to realease Craig Morrison No 8. Craig linked with Neil Robertson who distributed accurately to Robbie Douglas. Ball recycled and moved back for a score. This score was right out the top drawer for me, you can’t get better than backs and forwards interacting with pace and accuracy on execution.

This was evident for most of the first 20 mins and Gala struggled to get in the game.

Tries from Wing Robbie Douglas (thorn in Galas side all game), Wing Forward Colin Dunlop (starting at 6 for the first time this season),  a brace from Full Back Euan Higgins (yet another outstanding performance). Centre Neil Robertson adding a penalty and conversion. Captain Murray Johnstone and Neil Robertson distribution was excellent .

Gala answered with a break away try after an interception.

Half time Forrester 25 Gala 7.

Not surprisingly in the second half things slowed down, Forrester fitness and Galas determination having an impact on the game. Even the introduction of Chris Anderson at Wing Forward was not enough although he would have a hand in Forresters final try Gala had the better of the second half with three tries to Forresters reply from wing Robbie Douglas completing his brace. I should mention that there are many unsung heroes not named in this report, however whos contribution can not be under estimated. As I said in the changing room you need GUYS TO DO THE NITTY GRITTY and without them tries will never be scored.

This game undoubtedly brought a smile to all the coaches faces and I am sure like me I appreciated the effort that had been made.

Report Card of Forrester Colts V Gala Wanderers

As with all report cards I will start with the good and end with the good, nice pupil, needs to realise their potential and should keep up the effort.

Those parents out there will recognise the later half of the previous sentence in todays society, as educations speak for needs a good kick up the backside.

Handling – Standards continue to be very high. High completion rate in all areas of the field. Great interaction between all team members. Knowledge of type, pace and timing of pass is in the upper quarter of quality. I feel confident an A pass can be achieved in this area.

Scrum/Line Out – High level of success was achieved throughout the game. Scrum Defence is still an issue but will be looked at in  the future. All should continue to maintain and develop their techniques to strive for a 100% success rate on own ball. Projected mark A/B

Backs Attack – Probably the greatest improvement of all. Always looked a threat, skills levels high and quality of tries scored excellent. I would have projected a C but this recent improvement has adjusted my assessment and would predict B is definitely achievable with an A not discounted should this i