Myreside Monsoon: Watson's defeat for 2nd XV, but marital wins off the field sets up exciting week vs Thebans .

Greetings Northerners,

Sequels are always harder to do than the original. As I write this entry, I'm sitting watching Dune 2 and frankly, it's not great. Maybe it's my significant hangover from Edinburgh Northern related events ruining my enjoyment of what should, on paper, be a good film. Some things should maybe be left alone - Gladiator II being a shining example of this, although the rabid monkeys were good. They never did a sequel to Saving Private Ryan, Braveheart or Titanic, and the world is better for it.

Luckily for you, this blog, regardless of commercial, intellectual or popular success continues. We've written very little of rugby for the first 150 words, so let's jump away from mumping, into the week that was!

2nd XV vs Watsons

The 2nd XV travelled on Saturday to Myreside to play a rescheduled fixture against Watsonians 2As.

Watson's have struggled to get a team out all season, but an end of season home fixture brought players out of the woodwork and they were able to field a very strong side.

Northern started well, playing into gale force winds, but 2 tries against the run of play in quick succession galvanised the hosts and they walked off at half time 41-0 up. A better showing in the second half saw Northern ensure some pride, with a late try from Cameron Blackwood adding dignity to a 51-7 defeat.

Tricky to report on a game where things went rather wrong, but there were positives to take from the game when we had the ball in hand - notable mentions to Jamie Fraser, Paul Holland and Cameron Blackwood for their carrying. Barry O'Dea had a solid game at 9 as did Chris McKenzie when he came on.

A season however is a journey, and the manner in which we were beaten should spur the lads on for next week.

A massive thank you to Uncle Joe for running touch in what was possibly the bleakest weather we've played in for a few years.

Northern Nuptials

Despite the defeat, there was a high point to Saturday for the club, albeit off the field, which was the wedding of the 2nd XV captain Ed Russell and Katie Alden. Katie's father John is true Northern royalty, and four generations of Northern were in attendance for what was a truly good knees up.

We wish Ed and Katie a lifetime of happiness, and perhaps less importantly, look forward to having our captain back next week.

Thebans/Training

This brings us neatly on to the week to come. The final game of the season, level on points at the top of the table with Caledonian Thebans, our hosts next weekend.Its a straight shoot out for 1st place, with the winner taking everything.

With work to be done after the Watsons and Dalkeith games, it's crucial we get as many bodies down to training as possible to give us the best opportunity to win that game.

For supporters, the game is at Royal High, with a 3pm kick off. Thebans have the opportunity to win the first title in their history, and are expecting a large crowd down for that - it would be pleasing to add our voices to that contingent. On the plus side, the forecast can't be any worse than Saturday...

Party!

Regardless of the outcome on Saturday, a reminder again that the club are hosting an end of season party next weekend at the Bunker. With a live band and a fully stocked bar, it's pretty much everything you could want. All welcome and we look forward to seeing you there.

Google Reviews

A final ask for your web admin. Google has an excellent function which allows you to review places, restaurants, Edinburgh's premier social rugby club etc etc etc.

If you have a passing moment, we'd be grateful if you could drop the club a quick review - 5 stars of course - to help add to our search engine placement. Get creative.

With that, we come to the end. Onwards to the next adventure and we hope to see you in the club very soon.

Yours in rugby,

ENRFC

Michael Mawdsley