School sports: Capital rivals share spoils in top-class rugby encounter

By ALAN LORIMER
Published on 15/01/2013 00:43

Last season’s Brewin Dolphin Cup finalists, Edinburgh Academy and George Watson’s College, provided a top-class schools rugby match on Saturday at New Field that ended in a 15-15 draw to underscore the intense rivalry between the two institutions and the quality of rugby produced by both.

It seemed that Academy were on course for a win after leading 15-8 with only minutes of the game remaining, their tries having come from centres Tom Grey and Alex Swan, who also kicked a penalty goal and a conversion, but a late try from Jamie MacDonald, his second of the match, and the conversion by Adam Hastings allowed Watson’s to tie the game.

Less tight was the game at Colinton where Merchiston defeated Dollar Academy by 71-10, Merchiston crossing Dollar’s line 11 times for tries by full-back Gavin Parker (3), scrum-half Doug Crawford (3), wing Michael Finlayson (2), Ben Flett, Harry Turner and Andrew Ibbetson. There was an equally convincing win at Inverleith where Stewart’s Melville College posted a 53-5 win over Hutchesons’ Grammar ahead of their game this weekend against Watson’s at Myreside.

Another west-coast side to suffer defeat was Glasgow High School, who lost 31-10 to Dundee High School at Mayfield, flanker Chris Jollands scoring twice for the Taysiders. Their other touchdowns came from hooker Campbell MacLeod, wing Scott Lothian and centre Jack Palladini.

Meanwhile, in the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools under-18 Plate, Kelvinside Academy secured a 36-12 win over Boroughmuir/James Gillespie’s High Schools composite at Meggetland last week to book their place among the last four in the competition. Kelvinside will face Marr College in the semi-final tie on Saturday. The other under-18 Plate semi-final, scheduled for tomorrow, is between Galashiels Academy and Madras College at Netherdale.

In the under-18 Bowl, Morrison’s Academy face McLaren High School in an all Midlands semi-final, while in the other semi-final Peebles High School have a home game a week tomorrow against Williamwood High School.

At under-16 level, Jedburgh Grammar School continued their impressive away form with a 20-8 win over Balfron High School to secure their place in the final of the Plate. They will meet the winners of the semi-final match between Bell Baxter High School and Wellington School.

Elsewhere, Williamwood will be hoping for a double Bowl success when their under 16 side travel to Wick High School for their delayed quarter-final tie.