Merchistonian Sports News

RUGBY

On Wednesday 18 March 2009 a match was played 2008 leavers and 2009 leavers. Read the report here.

Merchistonians v School Rugby Match - Tuesday 18 March 2008

The match was a huge success with a big Merchistonians squad, captained by Scotland Under 20s hooker Fraser Brown coming from behind to win against a Leavers XV by 22 points to 17. A late try from Fraser Brown (his 4th of the afternoon) was converted by Tom Rainey to ensure that the Merchistonians won the match. Earlier scores from Cameron Godfrey (x2) and Angus MacIlwraith (man of the match) gave the Leavers a slender 17-15 lead.
The quality and size of the Merchistonians with Scotland Under 20s Number 8 Jonathan Baird also outstanding proved too much and they probably just deserved the win.

SHOOTING

Saturday 23 May 2009 : Clay Pigeon Shoulder to Shoulder. 
Contact : Richard Macmillan, richard@forbeslawson.co.uk (Mobile) 07889 178715

ANNUAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS VETERANS SHOOT, BISLEY, JULY 2009

Following the withdrawal of our captain at very short notice, due to ill health, it fell to the hastily appointed Vice-Captain, Iain Brechin to find a fifth man. In the absence of a Merchistonian he drafted in a Heriots FP, Colin Aitken. Without a Bona Fide team the Merchistonians were unable to compete for the trophy but we shot alongside. The weather conditions were perfect for the shoot, dry, not too hot and with a little wind to keep the coaches on their toes.

The team got off to a cracking start with the first three shooters, James Anderson, Colin Aitken and Bob Allan getting 50, 49 and 49. The team finished with 238 Ex 250, a creditable 23rd out of 49, but sadly 3rd Scottish School behind Glenalmond (9) and Dollar (19).

The BBQ that followed was a culinary feast of pork that had been slow cooking all day. The rain arrived in cats and dog style but we retired to the huts and didn’t let it dampen our spirits.

Team members were James Anderson, Colin Aitken, Bob Allan, Iain Brechin and Lewis Allen

Congratulations must also go to James Anderson for winning the St Georges individual competition within the Imperial meeting, representing Scotland once again in the National and doing very well in the Queen's Final.

Richard Macmillan

Shooting Secretary

richard@forbeslawson.co.uk

07801 334716

Merchistonians v School Shooting Match - Saturday 17 May 2008

Saturday was a great day and a very good turnout. The old boys managed to put together a full team of 8 which was the first time in years. It is good to see a few youngsters coming through and still interested in shooting.

The day started by meeting at 10am at Cluny Clays in Fife. Archie Hambling had arranged a sporting layout which involved shooting 25 clays over 5 different stands. The teams were split and contained two from the school and two old boys. The weather was a bit poor but the rain soon stopped when shooting began. The school fielded a fairly young team and unfortunately could not hold off the old boys who won. The school's score was 95 ex 200 with the top gun being Harry Ogilvie with 16 ex 25. The old boys score was 131 ex 200 with Richard Macmillan top gun on 23 ex 25.

After a brief trip down to Edinburgh, lunch was enjoyed at the school and we headed to the range for the shoulder to shoulder match. As most of the old boys had not shot for some years, confidence was not particulary high. This indeed was reflected in the scores with the old boys finishing on 684 ex 800 and the school winning on 702 ex 800. Top school shot was James Duncan on 96 with Iain Brechin and Richard Macmillan leading the old boys.

So honours were even on the day unless of course you add the two scores together and the old boys had a resounding victory!

Many thanks go to Archie Hambling for making the day run very smoothly.

The old boys team pic is made up from left to right of Iain Brechin, Charles Sampson, Bob Allan, Richard Macmillan, James Inkster, Alex Whalley, Lewis Allen & George Russell. 



Richard Macmillan
Shooting Secretary

GOLF: see separate pages

FISHING

The Merchistonian Fishing Outing to Fordoun Loch, near Auchterarder took place on Saturday 2nd June, attended by Fishing secretary, Charles Guest, David Robinson and his daughter Lucy, Donald Miller, RM Allan, Ben Ballantyne, Andrew McDonald and J Reith.

The total catch was as follows:

Rainbow Trout – 10 fish, total weight 24lb 11oz

Brown Trout – 7 fish, total weight 5lb 8oz

Total fish 17 with a total weight of 30lb 3oz

The largest Rainbow Trout was caught by Andrew McDonald and weighed in at 3lb 11oz, and the highlight of the day was David Robinson’s daughter, Lucy, catching her first Rainbow at 2lb 11oz.

Many thanks go to Charles Guest for organising such a successful event - anyone interested in participating in next year’s outing should contact Andrew McDonald at:
andrewmcdonald67@blueyonder.co.uk

For details of the Trip to Morton Fishery, 16 August 2008 click the link to download the pdf document

FIVES

Match Report - Saturday 16 January 2010

Merchiston Courts

Let's cut to the chase - we got beaten! However, we fought hard and indeed we were only four points behind at halfway. Alan and Ali had an amazing game that tested their fitness levels - ok Ali's fitness really - that ended 16-15! Great fun: many thanks to the Jesters and to Alan Glen, Jack Cadell and Ed Murray for continuing to turn out.

Anybody want to get the gloves on again?! - call Ali Turner on 07771 854881 or email ramstane@btopenworld.com.

Next match - Monday 8 March 2010 at 7pm against the School.

November 2009 - I had high hopes for a positive result for the November encounter against the School however I was wrong! The School were victorious by 101 to 84.

Many thanks to Alan Glen, Jack Cadell and Ed Murray - the core of my squad for playing. I am delighted to say that Adam Strang got his gloves on for the first time in 13 years and made up the four! Adam had a very distinguished School fives career indeed winning the British Schools Singles Championships at aged 17 and narrowly failed to defend that same title whilst injured.  I was chuffed to bits that he came out of retirement to play.  Inspiration indeed for those who would like to get back on the courts again.  Please contact me if you are interested or know someone who played and should try again. Next match is towards the end of January against the Jesters.

January 2009 - Merchistonian Fives Team beat the Jesters at the weekend! 101 - 79! Very pleasing indeed. Thanks to Alan Glen, Andy Donaldson  and Jack Cadell for their first rate contribution.  We are unbeaten this season so far! Looking forward to the match against the School on Thursday 5 March.

Caledonian Club  vs Merchistonians – Thursday 19th March 2009, Fettes Courts

A new fixture for this year! This was a very sporting match and despite a big effort the Merchistonian team suffered a crushing defeat! Out played and out scored! Talking of scores – well, I lost count! The beer and curry in Stockbridge that followed restored our cheery dispositions! Many thanks to Simon Fraser for his organisation.

Unbeaten Season out the window! Merchistonian v School, March 2009

A great game but wrong result for the Merchistonians. The school were victorious 102 -79 and deservedly so. There was some real talent on show on Thursday 5 March 2009 and a lot of firepower. The barrage of wicked fast serves and strong forehands had me questioning my contact lens prescription at first! Both the school pairs were a left and right hand combinations. We hustled (as ususal)and got stuck in but I am afraid that we just were not good enough! The stakes have been raised and Charles Swan should be aware that we will fight back next season.

Many thanks again to Ed Murray and Andy Donaldson – Messers Cadell and Glen were otherwise engaged with baby stuff but we were very grateful to Matthew Watson for standing in. I am sure that Matthew will become a very very good player in the years to come. A great prospect. He did not look out of his depth at all against these hard hitting senior pairings.

As ever, I am always keen to here from Merchistonians who would like to get the gloves on again. Please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Ali Turner
Fives Secretary

CURLING 2008

At last Merchistonians clicked as a rink, having lost our two previous games in the early part of the season, and against Aberdeen GSFP on 24 January we ran out easy winners 11 shots to 3.  On 7 February against Old Glenalmond, Gerry Watson skipped, where a tight game was just edged by Old Glenalmond, who won 6 shots to 5.  Merchistonians however did win more ends the count being 5 ends to 3. 

The match against the School took place on 26 February at Murrayfield Icerink.   On this occasion we did not have a formal match, but mixed both groups so that 2 boys and 2 Merchistonians, were in each of the 4 rinks. Honours ended even with Grant Hardie skipping for the boys, winning. The McMillans father and son squared off as skips in the other game, father winning that one. We had a meal afterwards with traditional curling socialising.  As this fixture is usually played in Edinburgh (unlike our other games) perhaps Edinburgh based curling Merchistonians might make themselves known to me for next year, and play against the school.

Bill Hannay - william.hannay@onetel.net

CRICKET

Last year's Merchistonian Cricket Match took place on Saturday 24 May 2008.

James Holroyd

TENNIS

The 2009 Club v School tennis match will take place on Saturday 23 May at 1.30pm.  Further information available from Carolyn Thornton on 0131 312 2237 or cat@merchiston.co.uk

Merchistonians wishing to play tennis should contact John Robb John.Robb@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.

Last year's Merchistonian v School Tennis Match took place on Saturday 24 May 2008 with the School winning 5-4. This was a close call and the standard of both the School and Merchistonians was very impressive.