Jed-Forest 7
Stewart’s Melville 26
RBS NATIONAL LEAGUE
Fiona Scott reports from Riverside Park
THIS was always going to be a big ask for Darren Cunningham’s men considering that Stew Mel to date were the only team in the National League to have beaten the high flying Glasgow Hawks. And so it proved to be.
In a mostly one sided match Jed not only had to battle a much more composed looking Stew Mel side but, at times, referee Daniel Shaw, who managed the wrath of the Riverside faithful down on himself on more than a few occasions throughout his National League debut.
That aside the hosts were very much the orchestrators of their own downfall and, like the previous week against Selkirk, were prone to error when in positions of power.
For the opening 10 minutes Jed looked to have the measure of their guests. Having gained possession, in the second minute, from Stew Mel’s kick-off the Jed outfit pushed pummelled and kicked to get the ball into the opposition’s 22. And, following a spell of sustained pressure, they managed to force their way through for a try, David Gobby coming up with the ball and Iain Chisolm converting.
Stung into action the visitors began to apply some pressure of their own and got themselves in front thanks to a Liam Steel try, converted Mike Hanning who slotted a penalty either side of the touch down.
A third Mike Hanning penalty and a try for Ben Manning made the half time score Jed-Forest 7 Stewart’s Melville 21.
There was no let up after the restart as once again the visitors dominated, and, almost straight away, Craig Marshall touched down to stretch the lead.
Jed did enjoy a lengthy spell of possession during the half but were denied either by the referee’s whistle or by sheer over exuberance which in turn caused missed timed kicks and spilled passes.
As the game drew to a close the skies opened and the rain came down and the whistle sounded with the home side still bravely battling to get over the try line.
Jed-Forest: L. Young; G. Young, R. Hogg, S. McDonald, D. Gobby; I. Chisolm, R. Goodfellow; G. Slorance, David Grieve, N. Bates, J. Szkudro, G. Young, G. Elder, M. Weekley, J. Sudlow. Subs: C. Page, Donald Grieve, J. Rowley, R. Miller, D. Wallace.