News

6 September 2007 - North Berwick vs. 2XV Match Report

Tries

Robbie Hastie, Chris Sinclair, Michael Burns, Ray Marshall, Seamus Hollywood, Pete Archibald, Clark Scott 

Conversions

Michael Burns (3) 

Penalties

 

Drop Goals

 

Match Report

On a lovely sunny day Portobello 2's began their 07/08 season with a trip down the coast to play our near neighbours North Berwick in a friendly. It appeared to be a perfect day for the Twos' brand of running rugby but the swirling wind (windy at North Berwick surely not!) made handling difficult for both teams. North Berwick also had faced the challenge of losing two of their team to their Firsts 10 minutes before the KO and they had started with 13! So eventually 5 Portobello men made an appearance during the game for North Berwick.

The game was only a few minutes old when making a welcome return to Portobello colours, Robbie Hastie burst through the middle to outpace the defence for the opening try. Burnsy missed the extras on a day that was difficult for kickers both placed and from hand. Porty with Alan Hazelwood making his debut at 10 continued to press and strong defence from North Berwick was a must. However it was not all one way traffic and the Porty men in the red and black of North Berwick were having an impact. Ian Stewart running like a man half his age was narrowly beaten to the touch down following his chip and chase by the ever alert Burnsy. Shrek had a fine game to get over his disappointment at missing out on a first 15 game. The rest of the forwards played their part too.

Another “new” face in the Porty team, Biggles was next to bother the score board with a trade mark burst and then what looked like a cruise to the line for a score. He also had a hand in Seamus Hollywood's fall over the line to score. Burnsy managed to get the extras with a kick that did not soar between the sticks but looked more like a grouse that was ducking to miss the shotguns. North Berwick sneaked a score in the corner. Their number 10 who has played a game or two continually troubling the Porty defence particularly Seamus on the wing with well placed kicks. Biggles then had another assist as he made a breenge then an off load to Ray Marshall who fell over the line (that's not how he tells it but that's what happened!).

Half Time: (5) North Berwick 2XV vs. Portobello 2XV (41)

Porty started the second half with some great handling where almost the whole team supporting and running well for each other. Porty then engineered the try of the match. Big Pete Archibald on the wing playing his first game since being a Colt at Porty 3 years ago was moaning about never getting the ball. So Iain Goodall being the kind man that he is shouted at the team to give Pete the ball. So they did after just about the whole team handled it in a sweeping move from right to left, ending with Big Pete crashing over in the left corner for a fine try. North Berwick had their moments during the game but Porty's defence was pretty solid with Burnsy tackling well as the “fool at the back” and the evergreen Craig Marrins accompanied by Big G and Biggles constantly putting themselves about in the back row. Porty's final try came from another “senior” player making a rare appearance at 9 (as his dad Jim did many years ago) Clark Scott came on for the plucky Kev Marshall whose recovering broken ankle was starting to bother him. Clark made a couple of breaks then as a maul rumbled towards the NB line Clark dummied open then cruised up an undefended blind to score under the posts. Burnsy added the extras.

Full Time: (5) North Berwick 2XV vs. Portobello 2XV (41)

Summary

A good opening day from the Twos. A particular mention and thanks must go to Johnny Smuga, Sean Scoular, Ian Stewart, Murdo Mclaughlin and yours truly, all of whom had varying spells (Humph as well as he swapped with Murdo) in North Berwick colours and played well. Thanks to the ref and Iain, Ally and John for their help on the touchline. A wee mention for Leanne as well who provided first aid cover for both teams as well as North Berwick lads on occasion. A good shift. Finally thanks to North Berwick for their welcome and hospitality.

Man Of The Match

TBC

Team

1. S Sutton
2. R Marshall
3. E Cowe
4. D Roe
5. S Hunt
6. C Marrins
7. C Sinclair
8. G Porteous
9. K Marshall
10. A Hazelwood
11. S Hollywood
12. R Hastie
13. G Robertson
14. P Archibald
15. M Burns

Substitutes

• J Smuga
• S Scoular
• C Scott
• M McLaughlin
• I Stewart
• V Ridd

Vince Ridd