Aberdeen Grammar v Aberdeen Wanderers

There was heavy overnight rain but we kicked off in nice warm sunshine with a light breeze. Wanderers showed their intent straight from the start pushing Grammar back and playing the early phases around their 22. Grammar conceded a few tries as they struggled to cope with our rucking and cleaning out. Damien pulled a goal attempt wide. However from the drop out he collected the ball and waltzed through for the opening try after 6 minutes. Jack slotted the conversion. We continued to spread the ball across the backs whilst winning many of the rucks. One such move was stopped with a high tackle that resulted in a sin binning for Grammar. Alas, we didn't convert the penalty but we compensated through a Gus try. Grammar forced their way back into the game and managed to score in the corner.

We were dominating the line outs and the scrums and giving the backs plenty of ball to play with. A clever kick from Ross Dugan created space in the open side that resulted in another try from Gus. Towards the end of the half we were a little flustered and Grammar pressed upfield. Three quick penalties were conceded to take them within a few metres of the line. Although we gained repeated turnover ball we were hasty and relinquished possession. The half seemed to be running on and we made the ball dead a few times before half time came. Half time score Grammar 5 Wanderers 19.

The wind was picking up and was probably in our favour as we faced up the hill. We applied strong pressure straight from the kick off particularly from Arif. This resulted in a scrum which was delivered along the line for Kerr Farquharson to score. Wanderers kept the pressure up through long kicks to touch by Damien whist Duncan, Cameron and Frank kept control of the rucks. Grammar seemed to have organised their defence and were keeping us at the 22. It would take a bit of imagination to open them up. It duly came from a superbly weighted chip from Innes which he then burst onto, collect it and drove to a few metres out. Support was there and Liam picked up and touched down for a great try. Damien converted and we were 31-5 up.

If Grammar were falling foul of the referee in the first half, we were doing the same in the second, particularly in the scrum. What seemed like great hooks against the head were penalised as the referee struggled to impose his way on the engagement and hooking phases. We need to learn how to play the way the referee wants, which was done to such good effect in the first half. As a result we lost our way for a short period. During this spell Grammar managed to capitalise with two unconverted tries.

We clicked back into gear and surged upfield. We forced Grammar into defence and gained a line out just outside the 22. Unfortunately in this play Frank was left lying on the group clutching his arm. (Post match note: he broke his arm and is in a full arm cast). Frank had been playing a playing a stormer and even he had to admit his game was up. The forwards rejigged but maintained their dominance for the rest of the match. Another series of calm rucks stretched the defence allowing Gus to drift past weary challenges and score again. It was just too far out for the conversion. Innes got reward for his direct running when he scored the final try with 5 minutes left. Andrew Groseneill came close with the conversion but the wind worked against him. Grammar continued to work hard till the end but the Wanderers tackling in the last few minutes was immense with some awesome hits to push them out. There was a great joy at the final whistle following this well deserved victory. Grammar did play well throughout. Their hooker, and Niall Hall were the standouts.

Well done to you all. We had a full squad and more today. The attitude from everyone was great. Thanks for your understanding and patience with substitutions, especially the backs. Ross Farren came along but wasn't able to make his debut today. All will be in place for this next week. The stuff we have been working is paying dividends. Enjoy the victory. Man of the match today was Duncan Mullins for his constant steals, rucking, driving and support play. Well done him. Mind you he didn't get to wash Frank's shirt as the hospital took scissors to that one!

Next week sees us hosting Hammy's Gordonstoun. We were concerned about their spy who was watching us today, so we asked Fraser not to pass on information to Gordonstoun. Fraser replied "they'll get no intelligence from me". We know that Fraser but please don't pass information on.