Douglas shines as Edinburgh ‘A’ beat Knights

• 19 Apr 2024
• News

Edinburgh ‘A’ ran in eight tries to get their FOSROC Super Series Sprint campaign off to a winning start, claiming a 19-54 victory against Southern Knights at The Greenyards.

Eventual FOSOC Player of the Match Finn Douglas grabbed a hat-trick after an impressive finishing display, while scrum-half Charlie Shiel and back-row Tom Dodd both showed up well for the men from the Scottish capital.

Pack power proved the difference on the night with Edinburgh dominating up front, allowing playmakers and support runners to cut apart the Knights’ defence.

The first try of the evening arrived following an explosive run down the far touchline from winger Douglas.

After collecting a neat cross-field kick from stand-off Cammy Scott, the Melrose born winger showed scintillating pace and power to beat five would-be defenders to bring Edinburgh ‘A’ only metres from the Knights’ whitewash.

From there, lock Rob Carmichael showed quick-thinking to dive through the middle of the ruck, with his 6ft 11in frame proving too big to stop from short range. Scott added the extras [0-7].

Edinburgh soon doubled their advantage following more good work down the left flank.

After some aerial tennis, the ball eventually fell to Charlie Shiel who showed quick feet and a strong fend to break down the short side.

With winger Douglas holding his depth, Shiel found the speedster on his left shoulder and from there it was a simple run in. Scott converted once again [0-14].

The third try of the evening arrived soon thereafter and again it was down the left touchline. After building the phases, Edinburgh ‘A’ had numbers and with the ball worked swiftly through the hands, Douglas was on hand to touchdown for his second of the match. Scott remained perfect from tee [0-21].

The Knights had competed well at the breakdown and soon they were on the scoresheet after stealing ball inside the Edinburgh 22.

With stand-off Gregor McNeish stabbing through a hopeful grubber, the ball eventually bounced into the hands of replacement hooker Finlay Scott who touched down. Callum Grieve converted [7-21]

Edinburgh weren’t done scoring for the first-half however and added three further tries in the final 10 minutes of action.

Shiel – who had been instrumental for the visitors in the opening stages – collected an offload from a Dodd break to cross over before Ben Muncaster hit a crash line from the tail of a lineout to touch down. Scott converted both [7-35].

Hector Patterson breaks for Edinburgh ‘A’. Photo credit: Craig Murray.

Douglas then grabbed his hat-trick before the break as Shiel turned provider with a smart pass over the top to the winger who finished acrobatically in the corner, bringing Edinburgh to 40 on the  scoreboard [7-40].

The hosts started the second-half with a bang and after working the ball from touchline to touchline, winger Ethan McVicker showed good strength to power in the corner. Grieve hit the tricky conversion once again [14-40].

Edinburgh ‘A’ rang the changes and with replacement scrum-half Hector Patterson injecting pace into the backline, the capital side were soon back on the offensive.

With the ball moved wide, Sam Leweni showed a turn of pace to break free before bein dragged down only metres short. From there Paddy Harrison had the power to bully his way over to extend Edinburgh’s lead. Replacement Isaac Coates added the extras [14-47].

The Knights weren’t done competing however and after nudging a ball into the corner, a strong lineout drive had backs running in to join the party, and indeed it was stand-off McNeish who eventually touched down [19-47].

It was a well contested final 15 minutes with little between the sides, however Edinburgh ‘A’ still had gas in the tank for one final score with full-back Jack Brown racing over for a well-deserved score. Isaac Coates added the extras to make it 19-54 on the final whistle.