A WATSONIAN side captained by Craig Buchanan have lifted their first trophy of the new rugby season – the Blairgowrie ten-a-side tournament – after winning all four round-robin matches, against the hosts, Highland, Black Watch and Strathmore, writes BILL LOTHIAN.
The decisive moment came in a tense deciding tie against Black Watch when 'Sonian Eddie Crawford ran in from long range to ensure his side's 100 per cent record.
Watsonian's winning line-up included: Craig Buchanan (captain), Brian King, Rob Twee
die, Neil Tweedie, Jonny Pelter, Danny Moussa, Sam Paulo, James White, Nick Hart, Kenny Nicholson, Chris Masson, Neil Malloy, Eddie Crawford, Stuart Mack, Corrie Dagger.
With a host of Watsonian players turning out at Preston Lodge ten-a-sides for the Pig-barians charity select, further early season fitness was achieved as they reached the final before losing 17-12 to Glasgow Hawks. In the pool stages Pig-barians defeated Musselburgh, Preston Lodge and Edinburgh University before seeing off Haddington 41-0 in the semi-finals.
Hawks, for whom winger Craig Gossman was 'man of the tournament', were equally emphatic in thrashing Preston Lodge 2nds, Trinity Accies and Haddington before beating Musselburgh 33-0 in the knock-out round.
• BOROUGHMUIR have bolstered forward resources with the arrival of two SRU Academy players. Second row Neale Patrick has joined from Dunfermline while prop Gavin Cameron has enlisted from Ellon having started his career with Hawick.
• EDINBURGH have been listed as fifth favourites, at 10-1, to lift the Magner's Celtic League title this season behind favourites and defending champions Leinster (3-1), Cardiff (4-1), Ospreys (5-1) and Munster (11-2).
The full article contains 283 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
