Team of the Month: Merchiston Castle



Rugby World, April 2002

The Edinburgh school held off the challenge of Outwood Grange, St Peter's York, Campion, St Edward's Oxford and St Bartholomew's to scoop the team of the month award. Their feat in winning the Bell Lawrie White Scottish Schools Cup for the third consecutive year-in the face of the usual hot challenges from the top schools north of the border-is testament to their continuing high standards under Mark Appleson, a worthy successor to Frank Hadden.

Under captain/no 8 Ben Dunnett, the XV went from strength to strength after early setbacks against RGS Newcastle (25-12), Dollar (24-23) and Colston's (13-9).

They finished the season against George Watson's in the cup final at Murrayfield with a purple patch of rugby that no side in Scotland would have answered.

Flanker Duncan Brown (two tries in the final), fly-half Scott Hadden, lock Rory Clark and 19-try wing Ross McClymont have had terrific seasons, as have back-row specialist Sam Paulo and wing Alistair Day, although both were ineligible for the cup on age grounds. "The side improved steadily over a long tough season," said Appleson, "and our expansive fixture list which includes three English and two Irish opponents were major factors in getting us tuned up for the last three tough cup challenges from Dollar, Stewart's Melville and George Watson's."