The final game of the 1st XV season took us to the Arboretum for a poorly reorganised fixture, but for Deli, first took him to Edinburgh northern as he decided to take a bike tour of the area.

It was a dull and dark day with a look like it was to rain. A strong wind blew across the pitch, with no shelter from the conditions.
The pitch was firm and had almost as many humps as the scrums front rows combined.

The Greenies chased well as the game kicked off, and unfortunate to just knock on the ball trying to gain possession. The game began fairly scrappy, both teams eager to draw first blood.
It was to be a close game from the off, as the green machine were caught sleeping a few times by a different Inverleith we had seen at the fortress.

It would be tricky to play in the conditions as Stuart "Stookie" Fulton kicks for touch and drives the ball dead, 22 drop.out
The boys manage to build a few phases, Seany broadfoot takes a chance and puts in a wee chip which is poetically collected by Gavin Sisson to get the first points on the board for the Greens, which is converted, 7-0

The restart is directed towards Haggis (making his debut) and is unfortunate to knock on in the air. Inverleith attack hard. Gaining ground and breaking tackles, catching forries off guard at breakdowns, the fly half looking dangerous and self proclaimed hero as he involves himself in everything as well as crash balls...
They work up the pitch, close to the line battering away, trying to find a way through. The scrum half finds a gap and spinning out of the way of the greens squeezes in and touches down over the line. Conversion unsuccessful 7-5.

Forrester restart, fighting to get a turn over, inverleith proving to be a difficult nut to crack. Poor first up tackles see easy yards gained, big hits from Coaches Paddy Bree and Gavin Sisson, leading by example and showing how its done. Deli and budda reply with strong collisions.

A body drops, Wee Scotty is down with an injury, luckily tidy physio Podge is on the scene, Scotty leaves the field and heads off to hospital. Play restarts , loose play and Shaun Hardie manages to intercept a loose offload, only for play to stop again. More scrappy play follows and leads to a scrum where inverleith hold their own and contest well.

An inconsistent ref proves difficult to play with, Allowing constant infringements to inverleith causes blood to boil and a few scraps arise. The greenies desperate to get more of the ball pressure the opposition and ignore the attention of the oppositions boxers. Loose ball see's the inverleith back line decide to start kicking the ball about along the ground. Out of nowhere a young Ryan Giggs appears and dances with the ball at his feet through the defense and touches down with no space or time to spare. The unsuccessful conversion takes us to half time. Greens lead 12-5

The second half and the Greenies start strong and show what they are capable of , building phases , strong Carries from Robbie and Seva set the tone for how Forries want to play.

Scrum as the opposition fly half kicks dead, Seany B collects and sets seva loose to cause some trouble. A good run see's ground gained but again breakdowns are a problem and it becomes scrappy. Forrester slow down the attack and compose themselves. This proves successful as a Slimmer calzo than first seen this season sneaks in to put his name on the scoreboard. Questions if the man he used to be couldve fit? Conversion unsuccessful 17-5 .

Both sides starting to play some flowing rugby and as quick as it is said a pass too high for seva in the centre goes loose and Inverleith collect and take off down the pitch. Scrambled defence as inverleith pile on the pressure. A gap opens up in the mid field and simple execution allows the home side and easy seven points as they convert and feed the fire in their bellies. They get a head of steam and soon find themselves again touching down not long after with a quick tap after the Greens are penalised just in front of their line.
19-17 to the home side

After a series of questionable tackles throughout the game a yellow is finally drawn and Inverleith go down to fourteen men. Forrester take advantage of this and set off to take back the lead. Getting closer and closer tension rises. Scrum down about twenty metres out. Paddy picks and throws a long pass to Robbie flat... Unfortunately Robbie doesn't know what flat is after taking a few steps back, proving costly as the ball goes out. Forrester doin well to get back possession and fight forward. Penalty after penalty against Inverleith , trying everything they can to stop the Forrester attack , some very questionable methods allows the ref to continue his Guinness record attempt at most penalties award in under a minute. In a very short space of time three yellow cards are brandished to the home side, surely Forrester can capitalise?
Every man in a green jersey desperate to get the ball over the Line. Boom! Paddy Bree answers the call and forces his way over the line from 10m out.

Full time to the delight of the Green machine and their support on the side lines. A tough game which could have gone either way, but heart and determination allowed Forrester to finish the season with a deserved win.

Man of the Match goes to Patrick Bree. Finishing off a successful season for himself. Throughout the game put himself forward for Carry after Carry, especially in the dying minutes of the game, eventually ensuring victory aswell as putting in some great tackles at vital points. Special mentions should also go to Stewart Fulton & Stephen Delahunt for always being a threat in the back line and putting in a great shift in defence, they also share the MOM with Patrick Bree as voted by other coaches/assistants on the day.

Well done to all to all the boys this season. Unlucky to have missed out on promotion but some gutsy performances and showed just how good a side we can be!

Love you lots like Jelly tots,

Johnny Mc