Dollar Academy U16 0 - 38 George Watson’s U16: Watson’s triumph at Dollar’s expense

GEORGE Watson’s College confirmed their billing as favourites by running in six tries against Dollar Academy to win the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools Under 16 Cup at Murrayfield yesterday with a display of powerful forward play and accurate handling.

Watson’s had to wait ten minutes but, when they grabbed their first score, it was with some degree of style. A line-out in the corner suggested a forward drive but Watson’s were denied possession by good work from Dollar, only for the clearance kick to miss touch.

The Myreside team secured possession and then moved the ball left to powerful wing Ben Robbins whose pace and strength gave him a try in the corner. To the delight of the onlooking Gavin Hastings, his son, inside centre Adam, converted from the touchline.

Stand-off Calum Young broke clear only for Dollar full-back Sam McDougal to put in a try-saving tackle a metre from the line. But a good follow-up by Watson’s forwards allowed prop Dougald Berezford to crash over for his side’s second try.

Dollar had an opportunity but Robbins used his speed to deny the try. Watson’s returned to the attack, adding further points with a try under the posts from centre Fraser McMillan. Hastings converted and then added the extra points to a second try for Robbins who popped up on his opposite wing to race over for his side’s fourth touchdown and a 26-0 interval lead.

Eight minutes into the second half Robbins completed his hat-trick with a 40-metre run to the posts leaving Hastings with a relatively simple conversion kick.

Dollar responded with a period of pressure but Watson’s struck again, this time Robbins the provider of the score completed by stand-off Calum Young and converted by Hastings.

Man-of-the-match Robbins almost added a fourth try only to lose control of the ball, but it mattered little for a Watson’s side that had already secured a handsome win.

Scorers: Watson’s: Tries: Robbins 3, Berezford, F McMillan. Cons: Hastings 4.

Dollar: S McDougal; B Dickson, L Hetman, J McAloon, J George; G Haldane, J Adamson; C Grounds, D Dineen, M Semple, C Thomson, H Waterston, B Ward, A Crawford, C Sreenan. Subs used: N Ivatt, O Page, G Pierpoint, L Gilbride, C Dunn, C Adam.

Watson’s: J Cousin; C McMillan, F McMillan, A Hastings, B Robbins; C Young, C Ladd; E Irvine, C Davidson, D Berezford, A Coull, M Miller, R Rostron, J Kerr, A Miller. Subs used: S McIntosh, J Kidd, F Wood, A Muir, M Traynor-Moss, R Lind, A Dowd.

Referee: D Shaw.