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
We have arranged our annual shooting match v the Merchistonians for Saturday 17 May 2008. The Public Schools Veterans Match at Bismore will take place in July. If anyone is interested in joining the shooting team, please contact the Secretary, Richard Macmillan, at richard@hrwm.co.uk or on 07801 334716.
In May 2007 we had our annual shoulder to shoulder match against the boys, which I am delighted to say the Merchistonians won. It was a strange format, because I could not manage to find a full team of 8 shooters, so three of us shot twice against the best 6 from 8 from the School. The end result was MCS 558.10 and the Merchistonians 567.8. The shooters were Iain Brechin, Bob Allan and Edward Sloan.
The Veterans Match at Bisley team was made up of Iain Brechin, James Anderson, Bob Allan, Andrew Moffat and Peter K H Cross (1958–62) A solid performance from the team to second place but we were beaten by Dollar Academy for the top Scottish team slot.
Richard Macmillan
Shooting Secretary
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 Charles Guest at charles.guest@ryden.co.uk.
FIVES
92 (School) - 97 (Merchistonians)
I am delighted to say that I have now managed to establish a pool of Merchistonian Fives players and I was able therefore to act as manager for this year's match against the school and put out a strong team to face a fit and very capable school team.
This was a terrific battle. The match was played in great spirit and Charles Swan and I witnessed a hugely exciting match which went right down to the wire. It had been nip and tuck throughout the whole game but James Welch and Andy Donaldson won their fourth game 15 - 2 which edged the old boys ahead. In the other court Ed Murray and Alan Glen fought for every point and doggedly took 22 points over the final two games off the school's hard hitting and talented first pair - a classy and big effort showing from our 'veterans'!!
With thanks to Charles as usual and to James, Andy, Ed and Alan for their efforts on court. I am hugely appreciative of the efforts made to attend as well.
As always I am keen to hear from Merchistonians who would like to get the gloves on again. Please get in touch - ramstane@btopenworld.com or 07771854881
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
This year's Merchistonian Cricket Match will be held on Saturday 24 May 2008, so please feel free to contact me on 07884 434911 or at james.holroyd@knightfrank.com if you would like to play.
James Holroyd
TENNIS
Merchistonians wishing to play tennis should contact John Robb John.Robb@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
This year's Merchistonian v School Tennis Match will take place on Saturday 24 May 2008 at 1.30pm.
Please contact John or Carolyn Thornton 0131 312 2237
merchistonians@merchiston.co.uk if you would like to play.
