From the moment the lads put down the racing pages and forgot chat of the evening ahead, there was focus that was sharpened as boys began to prepare for this clash at Goldenacre. Embrocation was liberally applied, cut socks donned and strapping cleverly fashioned and used. In the warm up voices like Rab Linton’s could be heard encouraging, explaining and working the boys into a level of preparedness that passing drills, cone runs and attack versus defence honed the skills further. Back into the changing room and wise words from Matty Douglas, encouraging direction from coach Corker and then fire and brimstone from Greg McLeod had us frothing at the mouth, ready to battle in the green jersey against the Heriots city slickers.
From the first kick there was a fantastically encouraging travelling support roaring and raging in favour of their green clad team. Despite the opponents having 20 players to the Force’s 15 there was no sense of inferiority just a steely determination to put one over the champions elect. “Round the corner, work harder, get there, get him out of there” were all heard at every ruck and collision as Captain Glen Welsh invoked greater and greater effort from his side. Sweat was fairly lashing down the neck as regular infringements by both sides meant that penalty lineouts and uncontested scrums were a regular meeting place for opposing packs occasionally exchanging a pleasantry, and sometime an unpleasantry but never a Christmas card. Trying to catch a second breath when a first had yet to arrive did not matter, this was a green jersey we were all wearing, each the same despite age, size, shape or ability. The hosts were well drilled and running straight and hard although no back step was ever taken by Aaron Redpath and Sam Frizzell until Sam came a cropper after the first quarter was nearly done and our sharpest colleague went limping to an early shower. It just strengthened the resolve of the remaining players, 17-year-old Corey Tait gaining respect from all of his team mates as he barrelled forward and was always first to the breakdown, regularly winning penalties, along with Linton, from the hapless opponents unable to cope without holding on to prevent the Teri youngster from snaffling. As we headed towards a much needed half time break the opposition had secured a healthy advantage but clever footwork from Elliot Stanger and Cian Riddell’s fine play selection meant that Redpath could charge over for a deserved try to mean that the Force ‘won’ the second quarter despite being behind with 40 to go.
The half time team talk ensured that we would be fired up for the second half and the onslaught of fresh city legs after fresh city legs. Still the words of encouragement kept coming, the pack was shuffled and the older legs hidden in the front row to confuse the minority numbers of the home support. We tackled, carried, supported, even fought when it was underway and the all for one, one for all feeling was palpable. We might not win but by goodness we were not going to let them run away with it. Reece Hartdegen would organise where we should stand or run as he carried hard and when break after gut pounding break took us closer and closer to the line, Tom Huggan breenged on
and when Jack Chelley tapped and went from five yards, he was rewarded with a great solo try again converted by Riddell. Time was running out, together with energy and breath as the hosts grabbed two very ill-deserved break away tries to make the final score look worse than it really was.
The final whistle led to many shakes of hands, a set of three cheers and plenty of fluid taking as we headed to the sanctuary of the cold showers and a rallying team talk from Corker about how we can win next week at home to set our record straight.
It was a fantastic experience to be part of, James Delaney was always helpful and encouraging as he tried to ensure that we learned and remembered whilst Liam Graham beat me to every breakdown giving every last ounce he had to give.
This was a brave team effort, one that will live long in the writer’s memory, even when the hard facts cast the result to bland history. Sam will make the firsts next year as will Rab and others, their day will come. On Saturday we had to come second but it felt to me like we had won because we never gave up, we were physically outnumbered but never outplayed, and we had Teri blood coursing through our veins from first to last.
Heriots 2nd XV 52 Hawick Force 14
