Tickets – cheques payable to SMC FP Club – are available from Charles S Wilson MBE, 66 Thomson Crescent, CURRIE, EH14 5JS Tel: 0131 449 2866 Email: charles_s_wilson@btinternet.com

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Have you enjoyed the 2018 edition of the FP News? / Have you ever wondered how the articles are sourced and how the magazine is brought together? / Now is the time to find out!

Our current Editor, Bob Young, is retiring after 5 years and we are therefore looking for someone to continue the ongoing development of the magazine on a voluntary basis – the job, unfortunately, doesn’t command the salary of a Fleet Street Editor.

The ideal candidate should be a self-starter, possess a keen eye (preferably two) for detail and bring a positive outlook and fresh ideas to the role.

The brief is wide–ranging – the travel not so far ranging – and will source material and news stories; through contact with other FPs and friends; various SMC & ESMS websites and social media; the school archivist; newspaper articles; 3^rd party contributors.  Liaison – in the best possible taste, of course – with the Club Secretary, Treasurer and the ESMS Development Office will be both productive and beneficial.

Overall, our new Editor should be motivated by the personal satisfaction of getting things done to a high standard while managing the end of year deadlines to enable the magazine to go to print for issue in January each year.

If you are interested in this voluntary position, please contact Charles Wilson on email; charles_s_wilson@btinternet.com

Check out WHAT’S ON 2019

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The disappointment of last Saturday’s big game against Highland being postponed was soon eclipsed by what could only be described as an incredible comeback by Scotland. Whilst many felt gutted that we didn’t win, settling for a draw in the circumstances was, once the dust had settled, the more pragmatic option. We know all about ‘could have’ games at Stew Mel!

Great conditions for a display of running rugby at Duffus Park on Saturday. Bright sky, no wind, no rain – what more do you need?! A few changes were noted as Kyle Dixon replaced Adam Greig on the left wing, while, with Happy in the far-flung rainforests of Asia, Geoff Angco took up the inside centre position. Cormac McCracken came onto the bench, Ally Scott came in for our leader Momo and a special mention must be given to Ruaridh Stewart at number 8, making his return after his season was unceremoniously put on hold during the home game against Peebles. It takes a great deal of courage to come back, so well done!

Our last meeting with Howe was very much a one-sided affair as they struggled, initially, to raise a team, and, thereafter, injuries left them with only 12 players on the park, and, eventually, led to a premature final whistle. I was sure on Saturday that they would not want a repeat of their player number issues – and, more importantly, the scoreline! Howe have a proud tradition and throwing in the towel was never going to be on the agenda this time.

Stew Mel kicked off (I guess) northwards, playing ‘downhill’, and, from the start, our dominance was evident in the opening exchanges. That said, kicking appeared to be the preferred tactic of both teams from the outset, with either the bounce of the ball creating uncertainty or clearance kicks not quite finding touch. Stew Mel also conceded several penalties in the early stages, giving Howe some respite. It was a scrappy start, but, eventually, after around 10 minutes. a lucky bounce was well retrieved by Chris Baikie, who touched down by the posts. The successful conversion by Euan Bowen made it Howe of Fife 0 Stew Mel 7.

The ball was well taken at the restart by Matt Sanderson and some territory was gained with the assistance of Doug Randall. A knock-on from Howe gave Stew Mel the scrum and an impressive drive over the half way line resulted in a wrestling match in midfield but little fluency behind the scrum. Quicker ball soon came, giving Kyle Dixon the opportunity to make progress down the left wing; debutant Geoff Angco followed suit in midfield, and, with James Ferguson close at hand five meters out, the try was inevitable. With 25 minutes played it was Howe 0 Stew Mel 14, Euan again being successful with the conversion.

Joe Baillie, this time, took the ball well at the restart and made further inroads, aided by Ally Scott. James was involved again as Stew Mel encroached on Howe’s try line once more and Matt Sanderson was unlucky not to get over, some good defending from Howe preventing another score. There was a brief injury stoppage but momentum was soon regained and Ruaridh Mitchell, positioned fortuitously on the right wing, drove over. 30 minutes played, Howe 0 Stew Mel 19. Another couple of good phases by both forwards and backs followed the restart this time, releasing Kyle Dixon on the left wing to get the bonus point try. 35 minutes played, Howe 0 Stew Mel 24.

The lead appeared comfortable at this stage. James retired early with a calf injury to be replaced by Seb Trotter, though, and Howe suddenly took the initiative, throwing caution to the wind, and, with kick & chase and strong running, gaining good field position for the forwards to drive over. They did this not once but twice in succession, aided and abetted by a poor Stew Mel restart. That made it Howe 10 Stew Mel 24 at half time.

Despite having ‘allowed’ Howe back into the game, Stew Mel started the second half brightly, with some good hands amongst the forwards giving Fraser quicker ball to play with. This pressure resulted in a lineout on Howe’s 22; although they eventually managed to kick to touch in desperation, this only served to bring the lineout back to a similar position. Further pressure ensued, but, unfortunately, a knock on prevented any immediate progress.

Stew Mel were dominant in the scrum by now, driving the Howe pack back, disrupting their ball and making it harder for them to launch any effective attacks. Howe had, however, certainly upped their tempo and were attacking effectively whenever the opportunity arose, putting together some reasonable phases with 60 minutes on the clock. A facial cut to Chris Baikie saw Connor McKay entering the fray, and, as always, his presence was felt by the opposition. A penalty eventually came Stew Mel’s way, and, after some good forward play, Ruaridh Mitchell once again found himself on the right wing with a similar outcome. 65 minutes played, Howe 10 Stew Mel 29.

Our scrum dominance at this stage was key to turning the tables and putting more pressure on our hosts. Kyle Marshall replaced Doug Randall, fresh legs always being welcome at this stage. Perhaps the best and most ‘typical’ Stew Mel move of the match eventually saw Jamie Sword cantering over for another try and a successful conversion. That made it Howe 10 Stew Mel 36 with 70 minutes gone. With the clock counting down, Howe again emerged from the ashes and produced a strong finish, eventually being awarded a penalty try after a string of penalties against Stew Mel. Final score Howe 17 Stew Mel 36.

It was, perhaps, not the performance we were hoping for, but a bonus point win will do even if the term’ winning ugly’ is an apt description of our afternoon at Duffus Park. There were spells where we showed what we are capable of, but, also, some very scrappy play where ball retention was difficult and too many basic errors were made. You can, of course, only perform as well as your opponents allow, and Howe certainly made it hard at times. A ‘Noddy’ guide to not conceding penalties would also have been a useful read prior to this encounter. Bottom line, we conceded too many, whether justified or not. The consolation penalty try was clearly the end result.

That said, there were still some outstanding individual performances from, in particular, Matt Sanderson, who was building an ‘interesting’ relationship with his opposite number. Euan Bowen was creative at 10 and Ruaridh Stewart showed no ill effects from his layoff, whilst Kyle Dixon, Ally Scott, Geoff Angco and Cormac McCracken all played their part. Howe clearly have some good players and are, I think, still very much in the development stage, mixing youth with more experienced personnel. We have been there, too, and it does come good in the end!

Our game against Falkirk on Saturday was supposed to be our last but the season drags on. See you then!

Kevin Murchie

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Sixty members and guests sat down to an excellent 3-course meal prepared by our in-house caterers, following pre-dinner drinks in the bar.

Colin Rigby, an SRU Council Member and Former Pupil, very kindly agreed – at the last minute – to fill the gap left by our main speaker who called-off unexpectedly the week before. Colin spoke eloquently on Agenda 3, the formation of the Franchises, better known as the Super-6 and why the SRU see this as the way forward for Scottish Rugby at all levels.  Colin went on to explain how this new structure will impact on school and club rugby and the Super-6 themselves for the foreseeable future.  He also gave examples of how clubs are taking steps to meet the challenges that will face them following implementation of the new structure in season 2019/20 e.g. closer collaboration between SMC RFC and Heriots RFC, which will see more ‘nails’ on the pitch at Inverleith.

Linda Moule, the new ESMS Principal, replied on behalf of the school encompassing, for our benefit, a resume of her career to date. During her speech, amongst other things, she brought us up-to-date on the academic achievements of both schools viz-a-vis the 2018 examination results, progress on the current developments on the Queensferry Road estate and the threats facing independent schools if certain Government policies are implemented.

Jack Mainland replied on behalf of the Club, emphasising the importance of the part the affiliated sports clubs play in the well-being of the Club.

Ross Johnston, SMC Head Boy, gave a very articulate and interesting speech on his ‘Perspective of life at SMC’; how the school had shaped him as a person over the years from P1 to S6.

John Archer proposed the Toast to the Guests, which was graciously replied to by Rob Heatly, Watsonian Club President. Bob Young brought the official proceedings to a close by giving the Vote of Thanks.

After saying their ‘Good-byes’ to those that had to leave early(ish), the remainder of the company repaired to the bar for a chat and ‘one-for-the-road’. All-in-all, a good time was had by everyone.

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