With the pitch drying up after some overnight rain there was every chance before kick-off that a decent sized crowd would be seeing some attacking rugby. However, even the most optimistic spectator wasn’t ready for the try-fest when North Berwick came to the Fortress. Forrester were looking to get some vital points in the fight against relegation while the visitors were looking to get back to winning ways after a couple of surprise defeats.

The sun was shining and with Forrester all in black there was considerable concern for the larger and flame-haired contingent of the Forrester team and their ability to control their body temperature. Indeed it was one of those that fits both of the above criteria who made a mistake from kick off to give NB an early opportunity to test their scrum back in the centre of the pitch. From this scrum NB put a few phases together and with Forrester falling off tackles it was all too easy for the visitors to run in the first of their tries. The conversion was good to make the score 0-7.

Following the next kick-off some loose kicking and ineffective kick chase by Forrester lost possession without gaining much territory and the pacey NB back 3 were allowed to make a lot of ground. Some soft defence from the home time let NB in for their second try under the posts and a successful conversion made the score 0-14 with only a few minutes on the clock.

Forrester eventually got their hands on the ball from the next kick off and a good break by Stookie led to a first visit to the opposition 22. However, some strong NB defence managed to hold up a maul giving them the scrum feed. Despite a strong scrum from Forrester the visitors were able to get ball to their backs to make more ground and get back down in to the Forrester 22. The Forrester defensive line lost some of their line speed allowing NB too much ball on the front foot and got them under the posts again. The conversion was kicked taking the score out to 0-21.

With the next kick-off not making 10 again a few Forrester heads started to drop. This was compounded with a strong straight line from one of the NB backs letting him breeze through the home defence to score another try under the posts. It was converted again to make the score 0-28 after less than 20 minutes and Forrester were starting to look like a beaten team.

Whatever was said under the posts seemed to have a little impact though and for the first time in the game Forrester put a few phases together. However, the home team looked to force it a little too much and were unable to get on the scoresheet. Forrester needed to make some changes to turn the tide of the game so Newbs and Danny were replaced by Wee Al and Ryan. The substitutes looked to increase the energy and it seemed to work. For the first time in the game Forrester looked dangerous in attack but the NB defence stood strong and turned the ball over on their own try line. A double movement was the call by the referee but as debate began amongst the home spectators NB were able to clear their lines and steadily make their way back towards Forrester territory. The home team were unable to get their hands on the ball despite some increased competition at ruck time. A lineout for the visitors in the Forrester 22 gave the NB forwards a chance to get on the scoresheet with a simple catch and drive over the line to get their 5th try. The NB kicker showed no sympathy for the home team with another successful kick taking the score to 0-35 and a starting some fear on the sidelines of a cricket score.

However, Forrester began to put some good rugby together led vocally by Ryan, with some strong forward runs by Johnny Mac and Wee Al pulling the strings in the backs moving the play in to the NB 22. A delayed pass by Alan let Johnny Mac trundle over the line to get Forrester on the board. Conversion by Al to take the score to 7-35. Was this the turning point that the home support desperately wanted to see? Sadly not as some poor tackling let NB in for another try and another good kick made it 7-42 at half time.

Thankfully your intrepid reporter was not close enough to the Forrester huddle at half time to hear the industrial language used by the players and coaching staff to reignite the energy of the home team. Newbs was brought back on but to join the forwards this time with captain Horse the man to take a rest. Newbs went to 6 with Ryan moving in to join John in the boiler house. The second half started positively with the home side in attack building some phases and making some ground but were again guilty of trying to force it a little and NB were able to regain possession. Some weak tackling from the home team let NB coast in under the posts for try number 7 converted again to make it 7-49. This brought about more changes from the coaches with Horse and Seva coming on for John and Dele. The threat of Seva out wide and the skipper marshalling the troops up front energized Forrester. Some consistent pressure with good support and aggressive running at the NB line eventually allowed George to cross for a second home try. A hastily taken conversion attempt missed the target taking the score to 12-49.

The energy and desire was very much back for the home team and NB had to watch out for attacks from all over the pitch. Some quick thinking from Newbs to take a quick throw in his own half let Stookie find some space behind the NB winger and with a favourable bounce Seva was able to collect the ball and get a third try for Forrester. The conversion was missed again but the home team were one score away from getting what seemed up until then an inconceivable bonus point. 17-49. With the home spirits up and looking to attack from anywhere the NB players had to raise their energy as well leading to a little bit of kissing and cuddling on by the sideline! The referee warned both captains to get the concentration back on the try-fest that was unveiling on the pitch rather than any extra-curricular activity!

Forrester were struggling to take advantage of their possession with lineouts going astray and when NB were able to get the ball the home defence found it difficult to get back in shape before another wave of attack came at them. This led to falling off some more tackles and another try under the posts for the visitors but the kicker had his first miss of the day. 17-54 to NB.

Another mistake at the kick-off and a noticeable drop in energy in the home team gave NB the chance to stretch their score again with the kicker finding his range again. 17-61 but Forrester were not ready to give up. Some late replacements seemed to inject some more desire and belief that the 4th try was achievable. Despite a few knock-ons Forrester went in search of another score and with some members of the NB pack concentrating on some shoving and shouting after a penalty decision against them, Stookie was able to get over the try line to get what could be a vital bonus point for Forrester. Wee Al converted with the last kick for a final score of 24-61 in an eventful game.

Another win for a resurgent Dalkeith team away at Murrayfield Wanderers as the try-fest at Forrester unfolded sets up a winner-takes-all battle next weekend. Forrester travel to Midlothian needing a win to stay in East 1 for next season. It is a huge game that will need a massive performance but it promises to be a cracker. Although our Rubies have a French touring team at the Fortress next Saturday the 1st XV need as many supporters on the sidelines in Dalkeith to cheer them on. Next week’s match report will not be as comprehensive as this with all this fan’s energy devoted to cheering on the Green Machine!

Until next week …

President Podge