Watsonian FC vs Ayr RFC
Happy New Year to you all! I hope you had a wonderful festive season. We couldn’t have a better game to restart the league campaign this afternoon at Myreside. A very warm welcome to Ayr Chairman Billy McHarg and his squad for Round 15 (of 18) of the National League. Ayr came out on top in the game between our two sides, 39-27, at Millbrae on September 30th. Champions a spectacular season in National League 1 this season – they are unbeaten after 15 games, have by far the biggest points differential in the league (+356) and are in scintillating form. Ayr are having Jason Riley and his squad have hit form across the last few games for us and are very much on the rise as we target a further climb up the league. We backed up our wins against Highland, Glasgow Accies, and Dundee with a win against GHA at home on December 16th. We’ve won 4 of our last five games and are one of the form teams in the division. Jake Kerr coming into the coaching team is clearly giving our pack quite a focus, and second place in the league is very much in the line of sight.
Our 2A's are playing across the road in a 2pm kick-off aga i n s t table topping Preston Lodge 2nd XV. A win for the 2A's keeps alive hopes of winning their division, so if you arrive early enough you can catch the first half of that game too. We have our annual Burns supper on January 27th at The Caves in the city centre. If you want to join us, there are a few spaces left. You can book your table here. If you have some spare time to help the club, please drop Fi Sharman a line at fi.sharman@watsoniansrugby.com, we’d be delighted to hear from you. Best of luck to ‘The Sonians teams this afternoon – please stay warm on that touchline, and remember the clubhouse sells hot drinks, too!! Ex Corde Caritas! R ichard Kelly President, WFC
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Hello, and welcome to Myreside for the first game of 2024. We've enjoyed a pretty good time at Myreside this season, and we know how good we can play, so we are excited to take on this great Ayr team today and really test ourselves. When we played them earlier in the season, we played some great rugby, but as a team, we felt we could have found an extra gear, and that's what I've challenged the players with this week. The players come in off a good break and should be refreshed, but it's not los t on us that Ayr had a game last week and will have a little less rust on them. This team are the Champions and are looking to make it an unbeaten season , they deserves all the plaudits they have been receiving. We are under no illusions this will be the toughest game we face this season. As for our lineup, there are a couple of changes in the backs due to lingering injur ies , but once again it shows the strength in the squad. The last time out, we played some great rugby, but we know we also allowed GHA to keep in touch with us and it's important this week that we stay focused for the entire 80 minutes.
The players, coaches, and I want to say a big thanks to all the fans coming out today; we know it's going to be cold, so we appreciate your support. See you after the game, Jason Riley Head Coach, Watsonian FC
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Last Time@ Myreside Match Report- 16 /1 2 /23
With momentum on their side, Watsonians started to gain more territory and assert their game plan. It was little surprise with halftime looming that the home team added a second try and took the lead for the first time. After an attempt to get the maul moving faltered, the forwards set to work at recycling the ball through the phases. As they moved further in the field, the ever-reliable Stuart Allison spotted a gap and burst through, leaving Morris with an easy conversion. Then, with just seconds left in the half and the wind swirling, a cross-field kick caused havoc for the GHA defenders. Sam Leweni was on hand to collect the loose ball and cross in the corner for the Sonians third try of the day. Morris's kick sailed wide this time, but the home team led 22-14 at the half. B oth teams emerged warmed but fac ing gusts of wind and biting cold, and the second half proved as thrilling as the first. Ronan Kerr got the scoring started after patient play by the forwards the centre was left with, just falling over the line to stretch the Sonians lead. Morris added the extra two and the home team looked like they were about to canter away. But GHA were not out yet and answered quickly with a try of their own. Just minutes later, Kerr scored his second try of the game as he once again collected the ball feet from the try line and made easy work of the standing defender. With a 33-21 lead, surely the game was over? GHA once again struck back, scoring their fourth and fifth tries of the game, and a lone penalty between the tries allowed Watsonians to run out 36-33 winners and maintain their 100 home record.
36 33
Watsonian FC GHA RFC
A week on from a thriller in Glasgow, Watsonian FC hosted GHA in another game that will undoubtedly be remembered by those brave enough to stand the chilling wind. It didn't take long for GHA to pick up where they left off as their very first foray into Watsonians 22 resulted in 7 points and set the home team up for what was to be a hard- fought day. Just five minutes later, Benn Morris, under challenging conditions, slotted a penalty over from the 22. It was GHA and their relentless pack that socred next as they once again sent wave after wave at the Sonians try line. Eventually, they broke through and added the extras to lead 14-3. That was the spark that the Maroons needed to ignite their game. Five minutes later, Sam Leweni picked up the ball five yards out and managed to bounce off two tacklers before diving over. Morris added the extras, and it was a three- point game.
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A difficult final shouldn't take the shine off a great season. On a blustery day afternoon at Myreside, a bright start by Watsonian Women was eventually dampened as Stirling County overcame a 19-0 deficit to defeat Watsonians 26-19 and retain the Women's Premiership rugby title. Playing at Watsonians' home ground after they topped the regular season standings, the hosts utilised the wind to build a commanding lead in the first half. In the 2nd minute, the home team managed to cross the line after a scrum in the centre of the park. Some quick hands and nimble feet sent Shannon Macey over. Ten minutes later, it was Molly Poolman who finished a similar move. After the County backs slowed an attack, the Sonians forwards took over, recycling the ball, and Poolman smashed over. This time, McNamara added the extras. Then, at the 20-minute mark, Lucy Winter finished another promising attack from the forwards. McNamara kicked to touch this time, and the forwards calmly went through the phases, inching forward until Winter dropped over the line. Again, McNamara added the extras. However, County showcased their resilience to get on the board through stand-out fly-half Ceitidh Ainsworth, cutting the deficit to 19-7 at halftime. Stirling continued to apply pressure after the break, with relentless carries up the middle.
Image: N50 Sports
Tries from Chloe Brown and another from Ainsworth swung the momentum in County's favour at 21-19. In a frantic finale, Watsonians built a promising attack and looked like they'd socred before the referee deemed them short. Then, within minutes, Fi Keys sealed the victory for Stirling with a late try in the corner. While Watsonian Women will lament not capitalising on their bright start, credit has to be given to Stirling County for an incredible comeback.
But not all is lost.
Watsonian Women played a fantastic season, and despite a loss in the final, they will take pride in their performance over 14 games, with 13 wins and a draw rounding out an unbeaten season. As a further positive, the side had ten players called up to play for Edinburgh and Glasgow in the newly expanded Celtic Challenge, showing the quality of players the team has produced. If you are interested in joining Watsonian Women contact women@watsoniansrugby.com.
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THE WATSONIAN FOOTBALL CLUB PLAYED ITS FIRST GAME ON 30 JANUARY 1875 AGAINST ST GEORGE.
In 1876 Watsonians adopted the maroon and white colours it wears today and two years later the club moved to Myreside, named after a local farm of the day. In 1877 the club became a member of the Scottish Football Union (which became the SRU in 1924). Watsonians won their first Scottish Club Championship in the season 1891/1892, but their greatest period of dominance came between 1908 and 1914 when they won the championship a further five times. After relegation in 1989 the club relaxed its membership rules and having gone undefeated in Division II they won promotion back to Division I in 1991. After returning to Division I Watsonians challenged regularly for honours until, in Season 1997/1998, they regained the Scottish Championship title. Since John Tod played for Scotland in 1884 Watsonians have fielded over seventy Scottish internationalists, including five Scotland captains and seven British Lions. Watsonians have had key roles in all three of Scotland’s Grand Slams to date. In 1925 AC Gillies played in three matches. In the game against France he scored one try and kicked two conversions, while in the game against England he converted a try with a superb kick from the touchline to help seal victory. Against England in 1984 centres David Johnston and Euan Kennedy both scored tries en route to Scotland’s first Grand Slam since 1925. Gavin and Scott Hastings played in every game of Scotland’s successful Grand Slam in 1990. In the never to be forgotten final game against England it was Gavin’s kick through that set up the deciding try, scored by Tony Stanger, while Scott made an outstanding try-saving tackle on Rory Underwood. More recent Watsonian Scottish internationalists include Tom Smith, Duncan Hodge, Cameron Mather, Marcus Di Rollo, Jason White, Chris Cusiter, Kyle Traynor, Steve Lawrie, Fraser Brown, Stuart McInally, Adam Hastings and Jake Kerr.
In recent years many Watsonians have been capped for Scotland Sevens including Colin Gregor, Andrew Turnbull, Mike Fedo, Andrew Skeen, Jack Ferguson, James Johnstone, Ally Miller and Max McFarland. The women’s team was formed as Watsonians Ladies in 1998 with a nucleus of players who were graduates from Edinburgh University and friends from various other clubs including Edinburgh Accies; numbers were made up by some others who had never played rugby before. The first game was played at Myreside in August 1998 against Stirling County. The club progressed through the divisions in successive seasons and over the years have successfully competed in numerous Scottish Rugby finals winning the National Bowl and National Plate competitions on three occasions. In 2018 the club were runners up in the Sarah Beaney Cup final, and 2019 saw them crowned as cup champions beating Hillhead Jordanhill 21-17; this game was also the first ever women’s club game in Scotland to be televised on BBC Alba. Over the years, a number of players have come and gone from no fewer than 15 different countries. Numerous have gained full international honours for Scotland including one who went on to become an International Referee, and two who have played at the Touch Rugby World Cup. The team proudly play with the letter H rather than a number 8 shirt which they retired in memory of club stalwart Keri Holdsworth who sadly passed away in June 2014; every member of the team also plays with her initials on their kit. In 2019, 21 years after its formation, the team decided to change its name from Watsonians Ladies to Watsonians Women.
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On-street Parking
Parking is shown by brown lines on the map. Parking as per tariff on parking meter, approx. £2.50/hour, Mon-Fri, 8:30am-5:30pm.
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Myreside
10 Western Harbour - Torphin or Bonaly 23 Trinity - Greenbank 27 Silverknowes - Hunter's Tryst 38 West Granton - Royal Infirmary 45 Heriot-Watt Uni - Queen Margaret Uni Five local bus services stop very close to Myreside:
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Please note the team line-ups may change
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Please note the team line-ups may change
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