The Rockets and the Arrows day tour to Edinburgh

On arrival at Boroughmuir RFC we were pleased to see glorious sunshine, and a warm welcome from our hosts helped settle everyone down after the long coach trip. In order to enable four teams to play a mini tournament the Rockets lent Boroughmuir four players, well dome to Max, Jarno, Aidan and Ben (funny how they all played their best rugby of the season against the Rockets!).

The first round of matches saw two victories for the Rockets, in game one it was a 9-2 win and game 2 was a real try fest, Novos just pipping it 10-8. Tries for the Rockets were scored by Alistair Wilks, Sam Irons scored four, Dan Neill got a brace of tries, Alfie Fisher was unstoppable for his try, Sam Ogilivie who was outstanding all day scored 2 tries, Wesley Croom (pictured below) also got a hat trick as he bounced through countless tackles, Sonny McDonnell (of scots heritage) also got a hat trick.

However the try of the day went to Rhys Merlane who was guesting for the rockets. Rhys was one of the original Rockets three years ago and was back by invitation. Capping a superb all round display he took the ball on the right wing, side stepped two Boroughmuir players and sprinted in to score to the sound of loud encouragement from his mother !

In the second round of matches, Boroughmuir won one match 9-7 with some thrilling rugby, being very competitive at the breakdown won them many turnovers and they ran out deserved winners. In the other match, Novos played outstanding rugby and won 10 -2. Try scorers were Sonny and Wesley with a hatrick each, Ryan Crossley weighed in with a hat trick of his own, Sam Ogilvie got another two tries and Alfie and Alistair Wilks also scored. Sam Irons cantered in for two tries and one of the most hard working players James Hepburn scored an outstanding solo try having played well all day.

By this stage the sun had given way to rain and wind which gave way to a rainbow ! In the final rounds of matches Novos 1st team took on Boroughmuir 1st team and the visitors ran out 6-1 winners in what was a hard fought physical encounter where Novos defences was tested to the limits. Ryan Crossley was the star of this match, his straight running and ability to drive through tackles saw him run in a hat trick, tries also from Wesley Croom, Sam irons and Sonny McDonell, and as our game came to an end it began to snow ! Rugby in all four seasons in 90 minutes.

It should also be noted that Aidan Newman, Ben Cuthbertson, and Jarno Ambelez also ran in good tries playing for Boroughmuir so extra well done to them. Mentions too for Sion Gittins who was immense in the rucks, Max Russell ran hard all day and the new boy Callum Histed was certainly not over awed by the occasion and played very well. Tom Steel is singled out for special praise for being the top tackler (as usual !), Thomas Williams was excellent in the loose play, Matthew Wilcock ran in several tries and tackled well. Reece Wilson played his heart out and can be very proud and Theo Parry was fantastic going forward with some new body swerves we haven’t seen before. And finally and by no means least, Tom Graham who travelled up and went straight back afterwards, played some of his best rugby and was very effective going forward.

As for the Arrows, they played completely mixed teams amongst themselves and enjoyed a true Barbarians type rugby festival with some outstanding skill being displayed by all players. Not sure if the “copper dragon” move was disclosed to Boroughmuir but despite resolute and physical defence, attacking rugby was the winner.

Novos presented medals to all players, and also a special club trophy to commemorate the visit. We have to pay tribute to our hosts who made a huge effort to get the matches on. They were very welcoming and played their part in making the trip very special. They presented players of the team awards to Ryan Crossley and Sam Irons from the Rockets and to Ben Spencer from the Arrows (pictured below with James Phillips).

So onwards to Murrayfield where we enjoyed the great spectacle that the SRU put on with fireworks and bagpipes and a very tearful (Alistair!) “flower of Scotland”. We had great seats near pitch side in the north east corner where the first try was scored. A thrilling match with seven tries unfolded in front of us enabling lots of dancing to The Proclaimers music every time a try was scored. Despite only 30,000 being there the place was rocking.

So overall an amazing trip which everyone thoroughly enjoyed and widened the Novos rugby family to our very good friends in Boroughmuir. Thanks to Alistair for the idea, to everyone who helped organise it, Steve and Peter for driving us and to the parents for their support.
Finally a big thank you to all our players who represented Novos impeccably both on and off the pitch. And as one sleepy Rocket said to his father that night as he drifted off to sleep “That was one of the best days of my life, thank you”, and mine too thought the father.