Boys' Rugby: 1st v Fettes

After several fixtures on the road, Belhaven first team returned to their home field on a bright but cold afternoon. Today saw the visit of two Fettes squads for two sets of seven-aside fixtures. The team were to play three quick-fire games lasting 14 minutes each. Being played on a full sized pitch this was to test the skills and fitness levels of both teams.

Game one saw both teams attack and defend well. The skill level was high and the players were working tremendously hard. While this match was a close encounter with play sweeping up and down the field, Belhaven emerged victorious 16 - 4. Game two was a tighter affair. Going into half time both teams had scored two tries and a conversion to make it 7-7. In this match Belhaven showed their ability to adapt and their understanding around avoiding contact meant that two quick tries in the second half killed the contest. Belhaven ran out victors 16 - 11.

By the third game, and despite the rotation of players, the boys were tiring. As a result the intensity of this final game dropped slightly allowing more breaks to be made and fewer tackles completed. In another competitive game Belhaven again showed their grit and quality to take the lead and hold on to it throughout. Belhaven completed the hat-trick with an 11 - 3 win. By the end the players were both happy to win and happy to be finished.

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Coach's thoughts:

This fixture offered a different and welcome challenge for the Belhaven players. Fettes were undoubtedly a step-up in opposition for a Wednesday fixture and the number of times our players were tackled to the ground or challenged defensively was great. I mean great in both senses as it these encounters where players will learn the most about themselves and their teammates. The players met this challenge well and came out having performed to their ability. The final Wednesday fixture is a triangular fixture for the first team against Cargilfield and Merchiston. It is important that the players take what they learned about themselves and their ability to work hard into these fixtures.

Player of the series: George C