Our newly launched programme of Saturday Electives offers pupils the opportunity to expand their knowledge in a variety of fields with ample scope for hands-on experience. One of the Electives on offer this Term is our Sports Desk where pupils can learn all about how to cover elite sport reporting. Here below is the inaugural piece which covers last weekend's Rugby fixture between Merchiston and Dollar Academy. Well done boys!

Merchistons - U17A have done it, winning against Dollar Academy with a stunning 21:7 performance.

First Try was scored by Hamish M (9), from a clean line out, followed by a powerful move driving Dollar backwards towards their own try line from the 22 metre. Hamish, cool, calm and collected, sprints towards the try line and scores an elegant try between the posts at the 9th minute of the game. Theo T (13) converted, guiding Merchiston to a successful upper hand 7:0.

11th minute Try by Dollar, after a straightforward pass to open space led to a 7:7.

14th minute: Hamish M (9) again outperformed with another try, after a strong carry by Oliver G (7) that brought them nearer the opponents’ posts, allowing H. Macarthur to speed through Dollar’s defences, putting Merchiston back into the lead. Theo T (13) again converted with a classy kick which put the score to 14:7.

24th minute:  An unexpected soaring high catch by Miles M (11) put Merchiston deeper into Dollar territory. The ball was then passed in a coordinated manner until Oliver G (7) dashed through Dollar Academy's defence, leaving them behind him, scoring another try for Merchiston. Theo T (13) converted his successful third kick in a row, which led to a leading score 21:7.

30th minute: In the final minute, Merchiston was pushed back onto its own try line; however despite its defensive wall crumbling, the last battlement held its own, keeping the castle standing, holding up the try and tackling them into the mud. As Merchi’s number 1 Carl N put it: “We brought intensity and put in the hard work and it showed on the field” 

We received some words of wisdom from Alisdair B (2) after the match which we believe perfectly sums up the performance of the team today: “We performed very well and we showed that hard work and dedication always beats raw skill.”

Throughout the game there was great contribution from all of the players, but we have decided that the inaugural player of the match award be shared between Hamish M (9) and Oliver G (7).

Co-written by: Ali J, Krish M, Nathan C and Laurenc P

Find out more about our Saturday Electives Programme here