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Published: April 4th 2010
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An early start was just what was needed - just ask the boys - and so it was 7:30 out of bed and down for breakfast by 8. The fact that it was, in fact 10:30 Dubai time, didn’t seem to register with most of them and so it was a long protracted process to extract them from their beds and get them sort of semi respectable - it’s going to be a long ten days!
Breakfast - all you can eat of course - was a good start and at 9 am we had pretty much the whole team, packed , loaded, dressed and on the bus with (what we thought) everything they needed for the day. History will show that we were, in fact, very wrong and when you ask 25 boys if they’re all packed - invariably about 30% of them have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.
From the hotel we headed up to Edinburgh castle for a dose of culture and a bit of Scottish history. The boys were a bit luke-warm on the idea but still managed to put on a brave face to amuse the adults. As it
transpired - and as the photos will show - it was a great day (for Edinburgh) and we had a few hours visiting the castle in relative warmth and sunshine - and the boys actually enjoyed the visit. The record for the day goes to Robbie who managed to get in 37 Japanese photos; cleaning out the nearest challenger by 9 photos. I shudder to think what the public of Japan will think of Edinburgh castle when they see the family photos!
From the castle it was back on the bus and down the hill for a quick sandwich and drink at the Tesco Express before heading off to Musselburgh RFC. We got there just before 12 which was a little early but gave the boys the chance to look at the pitch - vey boggy compared to the sand of Dubai - and get used to the “grass-roots” changing rooms and facilities. If there was ever any doubt that they are spoiled rotten at The Sevens, it was cleared up very quickly today. The boys played a bit of touch rugby before getting changed and ready for the first match of the tour. They were actually very
nervous about the whole thing - I guess in Dubai they have a good understanding of the field, the opposition, the weather etc - here they knew nothing and they were a bit apprehensive as they lined up to walk onto the field.
Musselburgh had laid on a fine welcome and the boys were led onto the field by a piper and then lined up while the Flower of Scotland was played - a very emotional welcome for them. By arrangement we had three periods of play - first we had the under 16s, then a combined 16/15 side and finally the under 15s - 25 minutes for each third with the first two being the deciding thirds. A bit complex but it meant that Musselburgh could play as many boys as they could. So - in a chilly 8 degrees, with a little sunshine, the first game of the four nations tour got under way.
Cold hands and nerves plagued the first 15 minutes of play - we missed our first penalty attempt, they scored an unconverted try, we kicked a penalty (Matt Travers), they scored and converted- before a concentrated period of ball possession
saw the Exiles within striking distance of the try line. Four consecutive rucks right on their line were going nowhere until Andy O’D, from the scrum half position, picked up the ball and dived clear over the ruck to score the first try of the tour. It was successfully converted and so we went to the first break at 12-10 down.
After the break, it was more of the same - Exiles without a lot of possession and a converted try to Musselburgh saw them inching ahead. Again, concentrated pressure and some quick hands in the back line saw the scoreline close to 19-17 after a converted try to Josh - converted by Matt Travers. From there the confidence started to lift and Jordan soon crossed the line with a storming run to bring the score up - the conversion was successful (Matt Travers) - and we were in the lead 24-17. Another display of good hands and passing resulted in Matt Travers crossing the line to bring the score up to 29-17 before Musselburgh scored again right on half time to make it 29-24 as the official match score.
The third part of the game
was really aimed at development for Musselburgh and we both fielded smaller teams - within reason of course!! First to cross the line was Sam Bullock who then went on to convert it as well, followed by Henry Hollands who scored in the corner right on full time. The final try for the day was scored by Musselburgh to make the final result 43-29.
So - a victory to the Exiles - not necessarily pretty - but it was enough to be smiling at the end of the day. The club put on a great meal for everyone and we did the usual presentations of plaques, ties, shirts and camels. The team stayed for a quiet drink afterwards before heading back to Leith and then out for dinner. Tonight it was Chinese which was just what they needed - followed by a walk along the Royal Mile to check out the shops, the crowds and the girls - not necessarily in that order!! Bed time was 10:30 although at least half the team didn’t last that long!
Tomorrow its off to Manchester and our second challenge. Many thanks to all those that sent encouraging messages via
email -we had a quick mail-call on the bus this morning - and the boys love to hear from home.
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