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Match played: 3 May 2008 at Murrayfield Stadium
On the big stage of the Scottish National Plate Final at Murrayfield Stadium, Portobello came agonisingly close to pinching the crockery, but ultimately left themselves with too much to do after gifting their talented opponents a 19 point head start.
The game got underway in a nervy fashion for the Duddingston men, with the kick off failing to travel the required 10. Unabashed Porty made some decent inroads into Uni territory. From a ruck in front of the posts fullback Roarty attempted a drop goal which was charged down by the Aberdeen centre. To add insult to injury for the veteran futility back, the ensuing loose ball sat up delightfully for the pacy 12 to run in unopposed from his own half. With the extras a formality the blue and yellows found themselves with a 7 point deficit as early as the 3rd minute.
Porty set about regaining the territorial foothold which they had staked in the opening moments and a well executed kick from Chris Thomas, set them up for a lineout deep in the University 22. From the set piece the referee penalised the students giving CT a tricky shot at goal that he was unable to slot.
From the 22 restart Portobello set up good ruck ball and the ball was shipped to the backline with dangerous field position. Unfortunately the designated move went the way of the pear and again the Uni inside centre was on hand to benefit with his pace taking him clear of any threat to him dotting down under the posts. To their great joy the Aberdeen University lads where 14 clear without requiring to exert their own game on the Capital men.
With the common consensus suggesting that it surely could only get better for Porty, the Oval Ball Overlords had other ideas. A towering punt from Aberdeen's fly-half once again had Roarty in the spotlight. Eager for some redemption for his part in the inauspicious start to match the full back attempted an ambitious sliding mark, only to see the ball spill loose into the path of the onrushing kicker, who gratefully hacked on to beat the covering Bulloch to the touchdown.
Portobello were visibly shaken but the big guys stepped up to the mark. It was evident for all with blue and yellow tinted specs that this game was not going to be won out wide, so the experience of the forward pack had to come to the fore and they were not found wanting. Good line out and scrum work established the base for the Cavalry charge downfield and after a period of concerted pressure, Softy drifted blind and floated a fantastic long pass to big Chris Davis who was lingering with intent on the touchline. The big fella made no mistake with a triumphal plunge over in the corner. To the Edinburgh crowds delight Chrissie T added the extras from the touchline to give Porty some hope.
The Edinburgh side continued to exert pressure through their excellent pack and constant rumblings were producing healthy yardage. From one of these incursions the referee penalised the Silver City boys for killing the ball and Chris did the necessaries to bring the deficit to single figures.
More of the same from the big lads saw Portobello camped in enemy territory and Chris took the opportunity to further reduce the gap with a well taken drop goal. Lost ball from the restart allowed the Aberdeen boys some quality time in the Porty half and they were able to restore the 9 point advantage after some skulduggery on the deck in front of the sticks.
The seasider's, however, now had a taste for the action and from another great sequence by the eight, Chris was able to slot another 3 after more indiscretions by the students.
Porty withstood some heavy pressure deep in their own half in the closing moments to go into the break 6 points behind.
Half Time: (16) Portobello vs. Aberdeen University (22)
Having given themselves a chance Portobello looked intent on throwing it away when poor kicking from hand put them under more pressure. Skipper Ted Henderson incurred the official's wrath when deliberately preventing a quick tap and was sentenced to 10 minutes in the cooler for his troubles. This seemed to further strengthen Porty's resolve and they successfully saw out Ted's trip to the bin without further point concession with the aid of some great backs to the wall resolve including a magnificent piece of try line defending from young Connor (on in place of Chris Weir).
The major turning point in the game occurred when Softy called for and bravely took a towering catch in midfield, the chase from the Uni wing arrived late and the ensuing collision was a sickening one and ultimately a terminal one for the influential stand off's involvement and to many eyes Porty's chances.
The reshuffle saw the introduction of reserve scrum-half Robbie Mott at the unusual location of outside centre with Chris Thomas stepping into the fly half role. Any discomfort about the positional re-jig was soon far from the minds of the Porty players and supporters. A trademark burst from the excellent Sean Hollywood ended with the Irish librarian linking with the supporting Porteous, who had only just replaced Pete Mauritzen. Big G marked his arrival by gleefully dotting down in the corner to make it a one point game. Chris missed the extras from the touchline, but the game was very much on going into the last 15 minutes.
Unfortunately for the plucky Portobello team and their fantastic following the next and final score came from the Aberdonian academics. After an exchange of kicks the students sent the ball fizzing wide to their full back who stepped inside his opposite number to score the match winner in the corner.
Portobello tried everything to claw their way back in the final 10 minutes and the arrival of fan's favourites Culbertson, Roe and Thomson gave the crowd a lift but ultimately they were destined for second place despite a spirited multi-phase final play which saw the Edinburgh boys painstakingly edge their way downfield only to be thwarted by some handy scavenging by the north east openside.
Full Time: (21) Portobello vs. Aberdeen University (27)
The Porty boys gave a very talented Uni side a healthy head start and had a real go at reeling them back in, but unlike other cup encounters this term they left themselves too much to do. The team spirit which has been so much in evidence throughout the cup run never deserted us but a little pace goes along way (70 metres approximately) and ultimately that proved the difference between two good sides.
The game was contested in good spirit and some very good rugby was played by both teams. Portobello's forwards can take massive credit for dragging their side back into the tie and huge performances from Chris Davis, Pete Mauritzen, Dave McQueen, Sean Hollywood and Chris Sinclair, in particular should be remembered whenever this encounter is up for alcohol fuelled debate. The backs were up against it particularly after the loss of the talismanic Softy, but continued trying to take on their opposite number right to the death with Chris Thomas' display of running tackling and kicking meriting more reward than a runners up medal.
A great effort by all concerned, especially the brilliant support, to get us to this fantastic occasion. The replication of the bloody-mindedness, determination not to lie down and no little skill shown at Murrayfield will see this club continue in the right direction over the coming seasons.
TBC
Portobello Captain Ed Henderson and Aberdeen University Michael Hunter pose for publicity shots with the Plate
Murrayfield scoreboard
Captain Ed Henderson leads out the team
Final team huddle before kick off
Chris Thomas kicks off
Portobello vs. Aberdeen University at Murrayfield
Aberdeen University sneak an early line out
Captain Ed Henderson prepares to come back on after his yellow card
Check out the rugby highlights from Saturday at Murrayfield - Scottish Rugby Television. Ron Evans reports from Murrayfield asAberdeen University and Portobello meet in the final of the Scottish Hydro Electric Plate.
Taken from Classy McCrorie inspires Garnock to victory while Aberdeen Uni make history (Scotland on Sunday, 4 May 2008 by Alan Lorimer):
In the Plate Aberdeen University became the first student side to triumph on finals day after defeating Portobello by 27-21. The students looked winners early on after man-of-the-match and centre Fraser Lyle twice ran in under the posts, and stand-off Euan Kelly scored in the corner for a 19-0 lead.
But Portobello clawed their way back into the game with a Chris Davis try, the conversion and then two penalties, and a drop goal by centre Davis, before Ben Martin provided relief for Aberdeen with a penalty goal.
Then in the second half against the run of play Portobello narrowed the gap to one point with a Graham Porteous score only for the students to reply immediately with a classy try from full back Tom Rattray to seal a great win.
Taken from Brave Heriot's show cup's worth (Scotsman, 5 May 2008 by Colin Renton):
PORTOBELLO secretary Barry Sinclair has urged fellow clubs to vote against scrapping cup competitions after his own club savoured their day at Murrayfield, despite losing out 27-21 to Aberdeen University in a pulsating Scottish Hydro Electric Plate final, writes COLIN RENTON.
Reflecting on a game that saw Porty concede three tries in the opening quarter before battling back to come within a whisker of snatching the silverware, Sinclair said, It didn't finish the way we might have wanted but it was a cracking game of rugby from start to finish.
He added: We gave away too many points early on. That's been the story of our season. We've made it difficult for ourselves all the way through.
After battling back from the quickfire treble by the students, Porty trailed 22-16 at the break, with Chris Davis touching down and Chris Thomas converting then slotting two penalties and a drop goal.
Porty had to survive with only 14 men for a ten-minute spell after their skipper Ed Henderson was yellow carded and, shortly after his return, Graham Porteous dragged the Capital men to within a point with his side's second try.
However, the students rallied and sealed the silverware with a late try that ended a contest which had offered a cracking start to the day's proceedings.
We've contributed to a smashing atmosphere
said Sinclair, who had his birthday celebrations dampened by the outcome. It will make for an interesting debate at the AGM whether cups stay or go.
I just hope they make the correct decision. I hope they take notice of what the players want – they want to come here and have their day.
Taken from Students Pass Final Test (Scottish Rugby, 3 May 2008):
Posted: 03/May/08
Portobello 21 Aberdeen University 27
Aberdeen, the first University team to reach Scottish Hydro Electric Cup Finals Day, got proceedings off to a pulsating start as they out-scored Portobello four tries to two to lift the Plate at Murrayfield this afternoon.
Pulled back after a 0-19 lead, the students played some smart rugby and were arguably that little bit fitter, as they rewarded coach Campbell Scott for his efforts in reviving a team that was struggling to keep its head above water a few seasons ago.
Portobello had also enjoyed a Phoenix like rise from the ashes of the fire that had destroyed their clubhouse and they, too, could look back with pride on their contribution.
It's down to organisation,
Campbell Scott said, when asked to explain the turnaround in Aberdeen's fortunes. The boys were training themselves before and we've just brought some structure. At the start of the season we had 130 boys on the books and 80 have been regularly attending training.
The spirit among the student ranks was epitomised by former Scotland age-grade international wing Redha Guedroudj. A second year geology student, he felt he didn't have the best of games today, but it was his willingness to counter-attack from a Portobello kick, in tight confines by the west stand touchline, which ultimately sparked their winning try.
The students toiled to win possession in the first-half but every hint of a chance they seized.
Their three tries were gift-wrapped from Portobello but, nevertheless they were well taken.
In the third minute centre Fraser Lyle charged down an attempted drop-goal from Danny Roarty and then hared 70 metres for the opening try. Left wing Brett Martin converted.
Portobello saw Chris Thomas miss a ninth minute penalty and matters worsened for the city side as the quick-witted Lyle read a rather telegraphed interchange between stand-off David Hardy and his inside backs to intercept and romp in for his second try. Martin again converted for a 14-0 lead.
Roarty then spilled a high kick and the students' stand-off, Euan Kelly, reacted quickest to gather and cross for their third try.
Before the first quarter had elapsed Porty responded. Hardy made a couple of tilts and then ran right from a ruck to float out a long pass to lock Chris Davis who touched down in the corner. Thomas landed a fine conversion and two further penalties from the centre narrowed the gap to 13-19.
A penalty from Martin and a drop-goal from Thomas brought an entertaining half to an end with Aberdeen leading 22-16.
The third quarter saw the scoreboard operator able to take a breather, though the action continued on the pitch, Portobello captain Ed Henderson yellow carded for some verbals.
Restored to full complement and with their forwards looking to rumble, Porty set the game up for a grandstand finale when they claimed their second try in the 66th minute.
Sean Hollywood, who had returned to Cavalry Park from the more rarified climes of Premier 1 Boroughmuir, set up the score as he broke away from a driving maul off lineout ball to release substitute forward Graham Porteous for the try at the right corner. The conversion went astray but Porty now trailed by just one point, 21-22.
Aberdeen had always hinted to have pace in their backs and when Guedroudj pouched a clearance and chose to counter, it then gave the students a chance to move ball left from the breakdown and full-back Tom Rattray stepped off his left foot for the decisive try.
Portobello: Danny Roarty; Ronnie Gallon, Christopher Thomas, Fraser Boyter, Kevin Bulloch; David Hardy, Ray Vaughan; David McQueen, Chris Weir, Chris Sinclair, Chris Davis, Peter Mauritzen, Keith Alison, Sean Hollywood, Ed Henderson captain
Subs: All used - Connor Macleod, David Webster, Darren Roe, Graham Porteous, Robbie Mott, Don Thomson and Graham Culbertson
Aberdeen University: Tom Rattray; Redha Guedroudj, Michael Hunter captain, Fraser Lyle, Brett Martin; Euan Kelly, Blair Macnab; Gabriel Holmes, Dummond Miller, Ben Worthington, Fraser Galbraith, Alex Jackson, Alasdair Hutchison, Murray Wyllie, Dom Dunnett
Subs: All used - Dave Wade, Greig Ramsay, Andrew Massie, Duncan Clow, Paddy Traylor, Chris Hunter and Steven Parker
Scottish Hydro Electric Man of the Match: Fraser Lyle (Aberdeen University)
Referee: Rupert Henderson (Boroughmuir)
Peter Griffin, Danny Roarty and Rose Henderson
| 1= | Kevin Bulloch | 9 |
| 1= | Sean Hollywood | 9 |
| 3= | Fraser Boyter | 3 |
| 3= | Ronald Gallon | 3 |
| 5= | Danny Roarty | 2 |
| 5= | Dave Hardy | 2 |
| 5= | Chris Sinclair | 2 |
| 5= | Connor MacLeod | 2 |
| 5= | Graham Culbertson | 2 |
| 5= | Chris Weir | 2 |
| 11= | Peter Mauritzen | 1 |
| 11= | Lee Dickson | 1 |
| 11= | Donald Thomson | 1 |
| 11= | Ed Henderson | 1 |
| 11= | Mike Dunn | 1 |
| 11= | Ray Vaughan | 1 |
| 11= | Robbie Mott | 1 |
| 11= | Michael Ridd | 1 |
| 11= | Darren Roe | 1 |
| 11= | Chris Thomas | 1 |
| 11= | Chris Davis | 1 |
| 11= | Graham Porteous | 1 |
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