ENRFC Preseason Kicks Off With A Win

Hello Northerners, 

You’ll be pleased to know that we are already past halfway on the Fringe Festival, and that the season is very much upon us. For those of you who managed to make it down on Saturday, finally, after weeks of preparation, we have played our first 80 minutes of the season. 

Match Report

On a quite spectacular late summer afternoon, the reformed Queensferry RFC were the visitors to Inverleith Park taking on a relatively fresh faced Northern side. 

The early exchanges were physical, the tone set with a big carry by Dan Brackenbury off the kick off. A good period of Northern pressure saw a penalty given for a high tackle. Skipper Lee Tennant opted to go to the corner, and Cian Scully broke off the back of the resulting maul, rounding a number of defenders to touch down under the posts. We’ll say nothing about his arrow celebration other than to highlight that Alistair MacDonald should feel very hard done by to be DOTD. Ben Cowdy converted. 

A period of back and forth attacks followed, with Queensferry having the majority of possession. First game rustiness was evident in Northerns attack with a number of knock-ons from over-exuberant play but even at this early stage as a positive with Northerns shape was becoming apparent. A stolen line-out saw Northern build for 10 phases between the 22s, before quick hands wide to Matthew Graham saw the young winger break clear, sending a delicious inside pass to Kasei Burns to score his first try for the club. Ben Cowdy converted. 

Northern could have kicked on, but again the rustiness and enthusiasm got the better of them. A loopy pass from Michael Mawdsley put the outside backs under pressure and saw a Queensferry line out on half way. Working through the phases, ill-discipline from Northern saw them pinned in their 22, and again trying to over-play. Queensferry took advantage, and their No.20 broke through the defence to touch down under the posts. 

A short turnaround on the second 20 saw Northern rebuilding with some good phase play. Charlie Stuart made 50 metres and nearly scored before being turned over. Despite a number of penalties, Queensferry couldn’t get out their own half, and Northern took full advantage. A couple of nice phases built the platform for Harry Ferguson to break the line, showing deft hands for such a colossus with a one-handed off load to Alistair MacDonald to score from just inside the 22. Ben Cowdy missed the conversion. 

As the first half came to a close, Northern kept the pressure on. Aidan Melsom made a big carry, bringing Northern deep into the Queensferry half. Again Northern built their phases, handling the ball well and going wing to wing on consecutive attacks. At last, the ball spun wide and Michael Mawdsley popped off to Sam Kitchin to score his first try for the club. Ben Cowdy converted. 

The second half started much like the first ended, with Northern in the ascendancy. Some hard running by Alex Atraszkiewicz almost saw the elusive Yorkshireman break through, before Northern had a penalty for Queensferry not rolling. Again, Northern went to the corner, and a great carry by James Shaw saw Northern with plenty of men over, Kasei Burns finishing in the corner. Alistair MacDonald missed the conversion.

Northern pressed on into the final quarter, with a scrum won against the head resulting in a penalty. Northern went to the corner, and again built well. A piercing run from James Shaw saw Northern well into the 22, before quick hands saw John McIntyre score in the corner. Alistair MacDonald missed the conversion. 

It was all Northern, and again good work by the forwards saw Northern eat into Queensferry half. Playing from flank to flank – albeit somewhat fortunately – some quick thinking from Matthew Graham saw him snipe round the edge of a ruck, popping it off to  Alex Atraszkiewicz to score a well-deserved first try for the club. A simple and humble celebration afterwards showed lovely humility. Cian Scully converted with a drop goal. 

Queensferry finished strong, and Northern decided to try and play an all-court game in their own 22, much to coach Tom Hortons audible chagrin on the VEO. Still, a decent defensive effort saw the men in navy and old gold deny Queensferry a final try. 

Northern were at it again from the kick-off, Charlie Stuart, Matthew Graham and Rob Hotchkiss punching into the Queensferry half. Quick ball off the breakdown allowed Dougie Candlish to break free, throwing an audacious dummy and classic Doug Step before Niall Stokes avoid a boot by getting brough down inches short. He did however offload to John McIntyre who scored. By far the pick of the tries from the day. Cian Scully did not convert from the tee. 

In what was an all-round great performance it is annoying to not be able to name drop every one of the twenty five. Mentions in dispatches go to our departing Australian Alistair MacDonald in the second row, ex-2s captain Rob Hotchkiss who was tireless in the back row and newcomer Matthew Graham, playing wing and scrum-half for their performances. 

The real show-stopper however, and deservedly getting man of the match, was Joseph Buffey at prop – the Skipton Skittle. This proud son of Yorkshire, playing his first game in 14 years, dominated with his physicality from the second carry of the game, easily chalking up double digits with ball in hand. Even better, he worked hard in defence throughout and managed to bring an energy in the loose with his support play. If that’s the cobwebs, I for one can’t wait to see what he’s going to bring in the weeks and months to come. 

Livingston RFC

Onwards next week to Livingston RFC away. Almond Park has proved an exciting venue in recent years, with the 2nd XV playing a blockbuster development fixture there  with a final score of something like 40-40 if memory serves me correctly. For those unfamiliar their 1st XV play in East 1, but were previously a national league side only a number of years back. It’s the perfect test for pride of Stockbridge, and a real challenge as the squad steps up our pre-season preparations. Do come along if you have the time. 

Navy & Old Gold Interview Series

After the “success” of our interviews with Crebhan Hughes and Lee Tennant, we plan on hosting a couple more before the season starts. 

Next week will be our resident MC and top 5 good guys, the arrow shooting extrovert Cian Scully. If you have any questions for the third - query fourth - best Northerner from/near Cork, drop Cameron Blackwood or Michael Mawdsley a message. 

The week after, we’re looking to hear from a couple of our fresh recruits to hear about their journeys to Northern, what they make of the club (thus far) and a bit about themselves – hopefully making it nice of those not part of the playing squad to put a face to a name! 

Yours in rugby, 

ENRFC