Free-scoring Watson's show early strength

George Watson's College gave an earlier indication of their strength this season with a massive 84-0 win over North Berwick High School on Saturday to suggest that the Myreside team could once again challenge for cup honours this year.

Watson's reached the semi-final of the Brewin Dolphin Cup last season only to lose by a narrow margin to the eventual winners Edinburgh Academy in a thrilling penultimate round match at Newfield. And for their part North Berwick were desperately unlucky to meet Edinburgh Academy in their first round match when they lost by 6-0.

Centre Jack Broadley and winger Michael Hunter accounted for seven of Watson's 14 tries. It was a damaging day for North Berwick High, weakened by the loss of their inspirational No 8, Tommy Spinks, now at Fettes College on a sixth form scholarship.

North Berwick, unseeded in this season's competition, are drawn against their East Lothian rivals Preston Lodge in the preliminary round of the Brewin Dolphin Cup, a win in which would match them against either Jordanhill School or Lenzie Academy.

At under-16 level, however, North Berwick High School, emerged winners against Watson's in a pointer to Cup strength at this level and a good first XV next year.

Watson's win against North Berwick will provide confidence for the Myresiders ahead of their match this weekend against city rivals Stewart's-Melville College, who opted for a training match last Saturday. Stewart's-Melville are expected to be strong this season and able to field a number of players who figured in their Cup final team last season.

Another city side, George Heriot's School travel west this weekend to face Glasgow Academy. Heriot's who have a number of their first XV from last season back in action, played Fettes in a training match last Saturday and will sharpen up with a game today against Blundells School from Devon, where former Edinburgh Academy rugby director, Ed Saunders, is now based.

Eager to fly out of the blocks are Dollar Academy after putting in some hard training over the summer under coach Steve Newton. Dollar open their competitive season on Saturday against Howe of Fife, who had a win over Watson's second XV last weekend. Howe under 18s, who withdrew from the Caledonia league, now have a full fixture list against school sides.

Elsewhere, Dundee High School take on Robert Gordon's College at Mayfield, while Glasgow High School play Lomond composite in the Cup tomorrow before facing North Berwick on Saturday, both games at Old Anniesland.