HO HO HO and welcome to a festive instalment of a Super 2s match report.

This week was a ROADTRIP for the Super 2s and once the guys had paid Monty for the hire of the Party Vengabus off they set for Kelso. Due to call off’s for the firsts, several regular seconds made the step down to play for the firsts, much to their disgruntlement after purchasing their wigs and wild shirts. This also initially left the Super 2s with a full team and three subs but as is the joys of Second XV rugby this soon became 13 players. After some serious begging from yours truly, Nick Elliot left the piles of uni work for a couple of hours, Oz Wright dusted down the boots and dug out the knee support and Monty agreed to help out although not quite fully fit.

After some disappointing results recently, several weeks of inaction and training – the guys were looking to turn the season around. With a heavy pitch underfoot and the Super 2s front five's robust frames it was going to be a long hard game. But the Super 2s went down with the intent to play some good rugby and came flying out the blocks and put their hosts under some good early pressure. With the forwards securing some good ball, the centres were allowed to try and make dents in the home defence. Both Craig Arnot and Rick McKenna were making their physical presence felt. Good sustained pressure for the opening quarter saw a penalty come off the post and as a result of good pressure from the scrum saw the play first go left, then back right with good interlink play between forwards and backs, with both rucking well. A try was coming and Nick Elliot was rewarded for coming by scampering over from a ruck. Indiscipline from the Super 2s allowed Kelso back into the game and just before half time, Rory Anderson whilst trying to recover a dangerous situation and stop a Kelso try. Several infringements led to Rory having a wee breather on the touch line.

HALF TIME KELSO 15 – LASSWADE 5

Oz was a tad knackered and allowed Monty to enter the fray, thus allowing Oz back into his coaching role. When the Super 2s maintained their discipline, they played some great rugby and in turn meant Kelso could not score. Fresh legs was also going to be a telling factor to the second half and the Super2s managed to keep Kelso to only three more tries in the second half. There were a lot of heavy legged and weary figures at the end of the game but each guy played out of their skins. The team has come on leaps and bounds from the run of poor form,but still have a long way to go. But the signs are good and Oz and the guys certainly found the beer tasted better and a good night was had by all. Amongst the group after the game was a young Richard Payne and an extra from an Aussie soap – STREWTH SHIELA, PUT ANOTHER SHRIMP ON THE BARBIE.

Next week the Super 2s travel to Murrayfield, so if you are not able to travel to watch the firsts
THEN YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO, COME AND CHEER ON THE SUPER 2S