Saturday 15th November and it’s an earlier KO at the Fortress in the Edinburgh Shield Semi-Final. The Greenies taking on East 1 Dunbar, with some big players taking to the field.

The visitors KO and after some phases Alan send it down the field to which the Dunbar No. 8 charges back down the field only to meet a wall of Green defenders. Unfortunately a penalty is conceded with the tackler not releasing quick enough. A quick tap is turned over and the Greenies take possession.

Some scrappy play from both sides sees scrum after scrum which the Forrester pack dominated most of.

Dunbar receives another penalty for offside and takes the lead 0 – 3.

The restart is taken well by Dunbar who keeps the phases going forward all the way to the greenies try line. A quick hunter gets in for a turnover and Alan sends it down field.

Dunbar keeps the pressure on and works themselves to edge of the 22 where they gain a penalty. The kicker is good and takes them 0 – 6 up.

Alan ‘Rashy’ Panther has an itch and doesn’t make 10 metres on the re-start

A few scrums are reset and eventually the greenies turn Dunbar over, and the changing room stalker Fraser Newbury carries the ball forward.

The greenies get themselves on the front foot and apply the pressure to Dunbar.

Alan finds touch deep inside the opposition 22.

Dunbar has the lineout and Craig ‘Himbo’ Morrison is caught offside, yellow card (team card) for the Forrester Vice captain. The ref giving the boys a story as to why he was sent off.

Again the Dunbar quick tap is turned over and Forrester now receive a penalty for the opposition being offside. Fraser sticks it between up the uprights 3 – 6.

A game of rugby tennis is initiated with the ball travelling back and forth, the Dunbar forwards getting frustrated they slam the ball down for a knock on. Tennis is over..

Some more strong phases from the greenies keep us on the front foot, unfortunately a grubber from Jordan ‘Jo’ Kay, is collected by the Dunbar winger who charges down the wing.

A few phases from Dunbar and they score in the corner, conversion missed 3 – 11.

An injury to Stewart ‘Old bald guy’ Fulton, has him on his way to A & E.

The game restarts and both sides play well as the ball transfers from one team to the other.

Another story from the ref

The greenies injuries build up and the back row move into the centres.

Forrester push on up the field with 7 consecutive penalties from Dunbar, most being for offside.....no card.

Ref is watching another game and the ball pops out a ruck again towards Dunbar who capitalises and push on down the pitch.

Callum ‘Calzo’ Aitken steps in and steals the ball stopping a try from the quick Dunbar team.

The ref tells another story....he’s getting good at them

Young guns, Dan Park looks to get involved but spills the ball to which Dunbar kick through. Graeme ‘a little off the top’ Dudgeon misses the pickup with a stray bounce and the ball is grubbered through for Dunbar to score in the corner. Conversion missed 3 – 16.
From the restart the ball is collected by Dunbar who knocks it on. Scrum down greenies.

Colin ‘I’m sure I’m a prop’ Gordon is playing on the flank, forgets to protect Alan who throws a poor pass which is intercepted by Dunbar who get another easy score, this time converted 3 – 23.

Forrester agitated and wanting to score switch on and rumble the ball forward.

Another scrum and finally the ref picks up on the Dunbar No. 8 not at full bind is penalised, still no card though.

Forrester maul the ball up the park with the forward putting in a mighty effort, Dunbar are penalised on their 5 metre line, the ref tells a story that still doesn’t involve a card.

Scrum down and the ball is fumbled from the backs which Dunbar kicks into touch.

The greenies have another successful set piece and maul the ball over the Dunbar score line. Try to Paddy ‘Coach’ Bree, the conversion missed 8 – 23.

The ref in his element awards Forrester a penalty for Dunbar being offside again, the greenies go forward, another penalty (offside), the greenies go forward, another penalty!...Offside.

The ref has a chat...no card.

The greenies battle on gaining the yards and have another penalty.....finally a yellow card is produced. It only took 22 penalties from Dunbar...

Forrester spin the ball wide and the Dunbar back slaps the ball down during a 2 v 1 near their 22. Penalty Forrester, no card....

Forrester keep the momentum going only to knock it on in the last play of the game. Sigh!

Final Score Forrester 8 – Dunbar 23

Man of the match goes to Craig Morrison despite the team yellow!

Heads up and enjoy next week off. Were back to league action at the Fortress against Trinity on the 29th November