Strength in depth pays off for Edinburgh

Edinburgh Academy, fresh from their three-match tour of South Africa, confirmed their strength this year by opening their season with a telling 21-0 away victory over Dollar Academy on Saturday despite missing two key players taking part in the Commonwealth Youth Games in the Isle of Man.

Academy scored three tries, the first from scrum half Jonty Bredin, deputising for Alex Glashan and the others from prop Andrew McWilliam and lock Ronan Seydack, all three scores converted by centre Alex Swan.

Reflecting on his side’s win in their first match, Academy coach Mark Appleson said: “It was a good performance in difficult conditions.” Dollar coach Steve Newton conceded : “We were beaten by a much better side.”

Next Saturday Appleson’s side face Fettes College, who lost 32-7 to Loretto on Saturday and who are in the preliminary round of the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools Under-18 Cup tomorrow, when they face Glasgow High School. In a busy week for Fettes, who are under the direction of the former Border Reivers and Newcastle Falcons coach, Steve Bates, the College will face Stewart’s Melville next Saturday.

Stewart’s Melville, who have a similarly tough week with a journey to Moray for their cup game tomorrow against Gordonstoun, bounced back from defeat by George Watson’s College to record a 27-17 win over Merchiston at Colinton on Saturday with tries from Justin Duncan, Scott Murchie, Chris Gilfillan and Rory Warnock and two conversions and a penalty from Scott Docherty.

For their part Watson’s lost narrowly by 14-18 to Royal Grammar School, Newcastle, in a quality match but will enjoy a rest day on Saturday with no matches scheduled. Elsewhere in Edinburgh, Heriot’s had a 23-7 win over Howe of Fife Under-18s , Boroughmuir High School were comfortable winners over Linlithgow Academy, and North Berwick High School achieved a notable 20-11 victory against Glenalmond College.

In the west, Glasgow High School had an impressive 39-7 win against their Anniesland neighbours Glasgow Academy, Hutchesons’ Grammar School opened their season with a 25-0 win against Kelvinside Academy, while St Aloysius College won 10-7 against Dundee High School.

Meanwhile, Robert Gordon’s College continued their winning run with a 42-0 victory over Gordonstoun and then a 71-0 success against Aberdeen Grammar but the Countesswells side will face a stiffer test this weekend when they play Strathallan.

ALAN LORIMER