Edwards: ‘This Merchiston side is one of the best school teams I’ve seen’

Merchiston and George Watson’s College have set a hot pace in the Colt Schools Conference at under-18 level, confirmation of which was delivered last Saturday when both sides recorded big wins.

At Colinton, Merchiston chalked up a 63-7 win over Stewart’s-melville College to send out a signal that they mean business this year. In all, Merchiston ran in nine tries, all converted by Rory Thain, that included a hat-trick from Matthew Currie and a brace from Rory Stewart-cox.

What has contributed to this massive gap in strength this season, is very much to do with the year-to-year cycle that occurs in schools. Stewart’s-meville are a young side whereas Merchiston this year are mainly boys at the upper end of the school.

Even so, the Stewart’smelville coach, Stuart Edwards, thinks that this current Merchiston team has special qualities. He said: “In my opinion this is one of the best school teams I’ve seen.”

George Watson’s College may beg to differ. Watson’s and Merchiston will face each other in the final round of the Colt Conference on 10 November in what could well be the deciding match. On Saturday, Watson’s continued their successful season in domestic rugby with a 47-12 win over last season’s Cup winners Strathallan which included two tries from speedster Angus Hoffie. Both the Strathallan tries were scored by the hard-working second row, Liam Dreelan.

In the other Colt Conference match at under-18 level, Dollar Academy were 21-15 winners over Edinburgh Academy with tries from centre Michael Gray (2) and scrum-half Finn Mcilwraith, Edinburgh Academy’s touchdowns coming from Finn Bendit and skipper Rory Jackson.

Meanwhile in the Shogun Conference, Boroughmuir continue to enjoy a successful under-18 season, their latest victory being a 76-0 win against Biggar, with a 12-try haul that included a brace each from Paul Bogie and Jeke Canakaivata. Biggar, however, gained satisfaction from winning the under-16 match 27-12, helped by a hat-trick of tries from No 8 Jonathan Smith.

At Bridgehaugh, Stirling County showed their strength this season by defeating Ayr/ Wellington 28-0, while at Burnbrae, West of Scotland showed a welcome return to form with a 27-22 win against Highland with a hat-trick contribution from centre Mikey Heron, the Inverness side scoring through Owain Leeming, Jacob Powell, Louis Woods and Fraser Weller.