Attentive Edinburgh Accies will learn lesson

Edinburgh Accies' Hamish Watson is tackled during Saturday's defeat by Pontypridd. Picture: Greg Macvean

The capital side’s first ever match in the cross-border event against the top Welsh club side was always going to be tough, but they did not help themselves by letting in two tries in the first four minutes.

After that rude awakening the hosts actually got themselves into the match pretty well and most around the ground, including the large and vocal Ponty support, admitted that the final score did not do the contest justice.

After the final whistle, McVie said: “I don’t think Ponty were 40 points better than us. We caused them problems out wide in the second half, but the difference was just how clinical they were – they finished every single opportunity they got.

“For us though, it was about improving on the last two weeks [RBS Premiership losses to Heriot’s and Gala] when we had been a bit off-colour and for me we did that in this game.

“We showed great intensity at the breakdown, our lineout functioned well and the scrum stacked up. There is plenty to work on, but the guys are excited about heading down to Richmond to take on London Scottish this coming weekend.”

The Pool 2 encounter kicked off in front of a big crowd at Raeburn Place, swelled by a few hundred Ponty supporters who were in good spirits. And four minutes later they were in even better spirits after their side had taken a 12-0 lead.

Firstly, winger Matthew Nuthall went over and then he set up stand-off Simon Humberstone for the second.

Five minutes later Accies got themselves on the scoreboard thanks to a penalty by Alex Blair and when prop Phil Cringle went over for a try they were back in things at 12-8. By the 29th minute Ponty were 20-8 to the good, but they then had replacement Aled Summerhill – who had been on the pitch just 120 seconds – yellow carded.

Accies could not make their man advantage count, though, and on the stroke of half-time Ponty landed a tough blow, back-row Jake Thomas scoring a converted try.

After the break Ponty added four more tries, including one by centre Gavin Dacey on his 200th appearance for the club.

Accies’ points in the second half came from a try by Blair, while Edinburgh Rugby wing Lee Jones added some urgency in attack when he came off the bench.

It must be remembered that Accies were not even in the domestic top flight a few short years ago and on what was a milestone day for the club, back-row Hamish Watson showed up well, while they will be pleased to have former Scotland under-20 man Callum Reid back fully fit at No 8.

For the visitors, Dan Godfrey at No 8 was a constant menace, while Nuthall is a quality finisher.