Evidence of things not seen
WELCOME: In the TV drama The West Wing, CJ Cregg becomes convinced that on the equinox you can balance an egg on its end. It is a matter of faith: the substance of things hoped for in the evidence of things not seen. Hoping for two Scottish pro team wins on any given weekend is the same faith based initiative. We may not have gotten the result that we hoped for, but there was some evidence in proceedings that may point to a double win weekend on the horizon. Welcome back to the Thistle Newsletter - the only rugby newsletter about Scottish rugby.
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SHARK WEAK: fans returned to Scotstoun for the first time in 18 months to see one of the South African teams for the first time in the URC. The Sharks turned up and within 3 minutes were shown they were in for a tough day at the office. Ross Thompson opened the scoring for Glasgow within 3 minutes and the accelerator stayed down for the rest of the first half, with further scores from Ryan Wilson, Jamie Bhatti and a worldy (see below) from Cole Forbes. When Glasgow went to the sheds at half time, the BP was already in hand and journalists and podcasters alike were wondering what the SA teams were adding (again). 28-10 to the good at half time, Tupipolotu had a further try chalked off on 50 minutes and after that it felt like Glasgow relaxed a little too much. The Sharks dominated the final 30 and bagged a couple of consolation tries.
Full highlights are here
SAM N SIO: It was great to see Sammy Johnson turn in an MoM performance. His distribution look sharp, offloading well, and he seems to have regained that yard of pace that evaded him last season. The centre partnership with Tuipolotu is one to watch, with the pair combining for almost 90m. While Chris Harris has the Scotland 13 jersey sewn up, Tuipolotu’s bright start at Scotstoun is probably more than a lot of fans were expecting and he adds a nice option for Toonie come selection time. Hat tip to the Japanese Scotland scout…
RISING DEMP: Another new face at Scotstoun is also living up to his promise. Jack Dempsey put in another combative shift, chalking up 96 yards and beating 6 defenders on the way. With Matt Fagerson still to return, and Rory Darge continuing his rise, Glasgow’s historic ball carrying deficit seems to be filled.
JAW-GEOUS TRY: On route to Victory, Cole Forbes finished off this absolutely worldy, including lovely touches from Tuipolotu , Sammy J and McLean. Lovey, lovely stuff.
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LAST MINUTE MISERY: Edinburgh snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in the Saturday lunchtime affair, going down to a overtime drop goal to Rainbow Cup Champions (forever?) Benneton. It was a bitter blow for Blair’s Babes who looked for the majority of the match that they were en route for a 2 from 2 start to the URC. Of course, the universe aligned and only one Scottish team was allowed a victory. Two bonus points keeps them near the top two spots in the quest for the irksomely named Italian-Scottish Shield.
Full highlights are here
BLAIR’S BABES: 85th minute loss aside, there is a lot for Edinburgh fans to relish in these opening performances. The blunt attack of the last…decade(?)..seems to be eroding, with a more expansive brand of rugby on show and new arrivals like Vellacott and Immelman making an early impact. A fully focussed and fit Darcy Graham won’t do anyone any harm, either. The pack has also improved, and with Hamish Watson set to return, the early days of Blair’s Babes are promising. Will he see 13 years in power?
COTT PACE: Summer signing Ben Vellacott looks to be a game changer for the Edinburgh men, though. He bagged a brace in the first half, scoring twice within two minutes of each other. His pace and appetite to attack are the antithesis of Project Cockers and after back to back MoM performances it doesn’t feel to early to say that he must be in line for a Scotland call in the Autumn.
MARIANA TRENCH: So once again Scotland seems to have an embarrassment of riches at no.9. Price is the best in Europe, and with Horne and Vellacott battling behind him expect that group of three to push each other to greater heights. That’s before we consider 19 YO Jamie Dobie who looks better every time he comes off the bench for Glasgow.
SUPER 6: it was yet another action packed round of Super 6 rugby, as we approach the play-offs. In a dress rehearsal of the final on Friday night, the Ayrshire Bulls overcame the Southern Knights 17-12 in a tense yet high quality affair, with the Bulls pack coming out on top in what was a day for the forwards. Then on Saturday Stirling recorded their third win on the spin with a 17-16 victory over Heriots at Goldenacre, before Boroughmuir upset the odds in a 35-29 win against postcode rivals Watsonians. Defeats for both the Nails and Soneybums: you truly love to see it.
Highlights of all three matches here.
SCOTS ABROAD
English Premiership
Bristol v Bath: Jake Kerr (16) v Josh Bayliss (8) and D’arcy Rae (18)
Northampton v London Irish: Nick Auterac (1) and Fraser Dingwall (12) v Allan Dell (17)
Leicester v Saracens: Cammy Henderson (20) v Tim Swinson (5) and Callum Hunter-Hill (19)
Newcastle v Wasps: Gary Graham (19) v Robin Hislop (1)
Worcester v Gloucester: v Adam Hastings (10) and Chris Harris (23). Hastings was instrumental in his side’s victory, providing two cross field kick try assists, including a lovely left foot dink for Scotland teammate Harris to get on the end of:
Sale v Exeter: Ewan Ashman (16) and Gus Warr (21) v Stuart Hogg (15). Ashman crossed the line for Sale and Hogg had a decent post-Lions return, with the highlight a lovely cat flap offload for Henry Slade to slide over. Meow.
There were also several Scots in action across the English Championship, including Fraser Strachan (Doncaster), Rory Hughes and Dan Nutton ( both London Scottish) and Kyle Whyte (Ealing),.
Meanwhile across the channel in the Top 14, Finn Russell, on his return to action post-Lions duty and that fortnight in Mykonos, was unable to prevent Racing going down to Clermont.
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