Medics beat the Lions!
21st October 2001
Squad:
Big Tom, McKillop, Wilson,
Messer, Hawkes, Burgess, Bloggs,
Black,
Abbott(v capt),
S.Martin,
MacBeth,
Wee Tom McLaren, A. Martin
Norris(capt)
An enthusiastic turnout in a Sunday downpour, for a game against the Dundee Lions, was very encouraging for the upcoming season. The players meeting for the first time had no effect on their game and they certainly didn’t disappoint.
From the kick off the medics rucking game came to the fore, with Wilson, Messer, and Hawkes all getting their hands dirty. A great counter from Norris off a Garryowen led to a succession of storming rucks which eventually opened a gap for Abbott to dive under the posts from close range, which he promptly converted. The Lions rallied for a spell and, with some clever backs play, they went in for a good try in the corner, but the conversion was missed.
Great forward work throughout gave plenty of possession to the Medics backs. MacBeth punched the holes and Mclaren weaved in and out past the struggling Lions defence. Martin controlled well and at half time the Medics were up 7 –5.
After the half time port, both teams seemed reinvigorated. Playing for position the Medics found themselves in the Lions 22. Another series of crashing rucks saw the Lions defending their try line. They held for a time, but a well timed and angled charge from Hawkes saw him crash over in the right corner. The conversion can only be described as unexpected, but none were more surprised than Abbott himself, who slotted a sensational drop kick (conversion) from the right touch line. Once again this seemed to encourage the so fine attacking from the Lions. They now put pressure on the Medics, who held their shape excellently. However from a lineout on the try line, the nippy scrum half scored through the line into the corner. This was duly converted by a drop kick as good as Abbott’s previous score. The game was tight with the Medics ahead by only 14-12. Some excellent drives from Burgess, and good cleaning up from McKillop, saw Fly half S. Martin dummy from scrum half, and dive over the line. Abbott duly converted on a day when he couldn’t miss.
The Final score of 21-12 in favour of the Medics, was a fair representation of the game. The future looks bright for the Medics as the team can only get stronger with new recruits, and more games.
