Edinburgh Academy 19 - 15 George Watson's College: Gillies proves perfect 10

EDINBURGH Academy will contest the final of the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools Cup at Murrayfield two weeks on Thursday after defeating George Watson's College in a thrilling semi-final on a heavy pitch at Newfield.

For their part Watson's outscored their opponents by two tries to one, but in the end what mattered was points and these came for Edinburgh Academy courtesy of their stand-off Fraser Gillies, who kicked five goals.

"Our discipline let us down," said Watson's coach Andrew Ker, adding: "That allowed them to kick penalty goals. The game for them revolved round their ten".

How true. Gillies posted a masterful display yesterday, controlling the game with a commanding elegance and supplying the break that gave his side their only try. "Fraser made a huge difference for us" said Academy coach, Mark Appleson.

"He is a quality player able to take the ball under pressure and able to give us good field position with his kicking from hand."

Academy's brisk start suggested a winning mentality for the home team but a missed penalty kick by Gillies gave Watson's breathing space and enough time to launch their own attack that ended with a penalty award.

From the quickly taken tap, stand-off Scott Mullins picked his way through the Academy defence to score a stylish try under the posts leaving the Watson's fly-half with an easy conversion kick.

Academy missed a second opportunity for points when full-back Adam Simpson put powerful centre Ben Brown on course for the line, but an exemplary tackle by Watson's full-back Scott McKean prevented the score. A penalty goal by Mullens extended the Watson's points tally to ten but then a classic break from stand-off by Gillies gave Brown a try under the posts.

Two penalty goals by Gillies gave Academy the lead with the scoreline at 13-10 but a cleverly placed cross kick by Mullins gathered in by Chris Scott gave the dynamic prop a try in the corner to tilt the balance in favour of Watson's

Academy, however, finished strongly , regaining the lead with a Gillies penalty goal and then sealing the match with the stand-off's fifth success at the posts.

Edinburgh Academy: A Simpson; A Normand, B Brown, M Zegleman, T Whittle; F Gillies, J Munro; S Moodie, S Murphy, R Campbell, D Forbes, H Binnian, N Plevris, C Dean, L Seydak. Subs used: D Falkner, J MacLean.

George Watson's College: S McKean; G Dalkin, A Chalmers, J Ferguson, R Young; S Mullins, A Harris; C Scott, L Reid, G Marr, D Marinello, R Davies, M Irvine, M Peacock, I MacLennan.

Referee: A Hoyle

Scorers: Edinburgh Academy – Try: Brown. Con: Gillies. Pens: Gillies (4). George Watson's College – Tries: Mullins, Scott. Con: Mullins. Pen: Mullins.