BT Caledonia Shield Semi-Final

Yesterday, December third, saw Aberdeen Wanderers RFC 1st XV take on Gordonians RFC in the semi-final of the BT Caledonia Shield. The whole squad knew that this was going to be a tough game, and after their last meeting with Gordonians they felt they had a lot to prove. Although training conditions have not been ideal in the past few weeks, with the pitch at Groats Road being out of action, each member of the team has been putting in a huge effort as they all knew that a win could lead to big things for the team.

Gordonians were the first to create a score on the board, with a try early on in the game giving them a 7-0 lead. However shortly after this, Wanderers were awarded a penalty after Gordonians played the ball offside. This gave Scott Rowell an opportunity to gain some points for his team, and a successful kick allowed him to narrow the points difference with a score of 7-3. Five minutes later, Gordonians gave away another penalty for not releasing the ball and this allowed Rowell to further decrease the gap in the score through demonstrating another excellent kick, and moving the score up to 7-6.

After several displays of outstanding skills in attack from the Wands, another offside play from Gordonians gave Wanderers a chance to gain some meters. After a missed attempt to kick the ball into touch, Gordonians were able to regain possession and carry the ball through the defence and score another try, and a conversion lead the score up to 14-6. During the next play, a green knock-on on the 5m line meant Gordonians could take the scrum. Due to the proximity of the scrum to the try line, Wanderers did not perform a brilliant defence and Gordonians took advantage of a gap in the line and score another try, bringing the score up to 19-6.

Although Gordonians continued to give away penalties for various expressions of foul-play, Wanderers continued to fail to covert these into points. Yet a Gordonian knock-on further into the first half gave Wanderers possession of the ball as they took a scrum. After wheeling the scrum and then not getting back 10m, Gordonians picked up a yellow card. This gave Wanderers a one-man advantage. After Gordonians refusing to release they ball again, Wanderers used the penalty to kick the ball into touch. An exceptional line-out followed by a perfectly executed rolling maul lead to Wanderers scoring a try that they deserved. Tom Welding was the one that managed to ground the ball, and a conversion from Scott Rowell created a closer overall score of 19 points to 13.

Wanderers were ready to end this half with a difference of only six points, however Gordonians took advantage of another gap in the defence and scored another try, and so this first half of the game ended 24-13.

Running out into the second half, the boys were aware of the mistakes that they had made and were not ready to give up without a fight. Although this half began with the majority of ball possession from Gordonians, Duncan Coull made a fantastic interception that allowed Wanderers to turn over the ball and continue to present their excellent handling skills. However, this did not last long as Gordonians were awarded a penalty due to Wands not rolling away and this lead to their next try of the game. This try was converted and brought the score up to 31-13.

This was quickly followed by another try from Gordonians, and an overall score of 38 points to 13. After many demonstrations of brilliant defensive skills, Wanderers were awarded another penalty for a high tackle that resulted in another yellow card for Gordonians. The ball was kicked into touch over the 22m and Wanderers got incredibly close to gaining some more points for their effort when an accidental knock-on gave Gordonians the put in at a scrum. Gordonians were quick on their feet and managed to carry the ball though the great defence put up by Wanderers and score again, boosting the score to 45-13.

Such a large gap between the scores lead the Wanderers boys to let their heads drop, and the lack of appropriate training facilities became obvious towards the close of the game as the defence dropped and Gordonians scored a final try of the game, leaving the score as 52-13, although this does not reflect the efforts put in by the boys throughout the game.

Wanderers’ Man of the Match award was given to Duncan Coull. Head Coach Russell Arthur is very pleased with the effort of the boys. He says, “The squad from 1 to 19 played with passion and pride. We, however, gifted the ball to Gordonians on a few occasions and that cost us dear. I’m very proud of the club’s achievements this season and the players should be proud too. Good luck to Gordonians in the final.”