Saturday’s East Region League Division One match was well contested throughout with North Berwick putting in the harder defensive shift.  Andrew Denham cut through for Porty’s first score in 8 minutes levelled 7 minutes later followed by a Peter Kinsley score on the half-hour. Darren Roe rumbled the third for a 21 – 7 half time lead. Ali Bain scored 9 minutes into the 2nd half for the bonus point. The next half hour saw a lot of attach and defensive effort from both sides before closing with a Chris Britee-Steer try which he converted having already added the extras for the first four and a North Berwick consolation try, both of which were also converted.   The result sees Porty up to 6th.                                                         Full-time Portobello FP 35 – 14 North Berwick.

Portobello FP: 15 Andrew Denham; 14 Oliver Hepburn; 13 Rob Ritchie; 12 Chris Britee-Steer (Captain); 11 Alasdair Bain; 10 Peter Kinsley; 9 Fraser Mackay; 1 Euan Gibson; 2 Rhys Edgar; 3 Andy Glass; 4 Darren Roe; 5 Cameron Walker; 6 Sean Kneeshaw; 7 Gabriel Harvey; 8 Matthew Wilson – Replacements: 16 Conor Dempsey; 17 Donald Burn; 18 Michael Moyes; 19 Stuart McBain

Our next home match is presently set for 12^th January with the visit of Forrester (ko 2.00pm). Before then, we are away to Duns (1^st December – ko 2.00pm) and at Broughton on 15^th December (2.00pm). The Portobello / Lismore reserve side have matches at Goldenacre (1^st Dec – 2,00pm) and Leith (8^th Dec – 2.00pm).

Portobello High School finished their conference fixtures on Saturday with a 10 – 10 draw with Stewarts Melville at Duddingston – this is a step forward on the way to “school of rugby status” and we shall help progress this further in the near future.  Portobello High School then have a Schools Plate match to play (away – probably on Thursday 22nd) but wait the winner of Boroughmuir HS v Carnoustie HS / Monifieth HS which is due to be played on Tuesday. Please look out for update.

Portobello Rugby’s upcoming events are –  Saturday 24^th November 8pm – entertainment from singer Alison Henry and Saturday 8th December – Christmas Party (!)

NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER

November is a little quieter (?!) and so gives a chance to provide an update of sorts of Porty Rugby for the season so far.

Senior Rugby: 1^st XV currently lie in 7^th place in East Region League Division One with 3 wins and 5 losses from our 8 starts with a home match on 17^th November (early kick off as Scotland play South Africa at BT Murrayfield later on) and then trips to Duns (1^st December) and Broughton on 15^th December to start the 2^nd half of the season. Our aim is to end season in top 4 – so, quite a bot to do yet to achieve that. So much uncertainty of next season and following seasons waiting the outcome of recent consultation over how leagues should be set up once “Super 6” is set up and their amateur sides’ competition is decided.

A win over Trinity Accies on Saturday sees us into the semi-final of the Edinburgh Region Shield – just waitng confirmation of our opponents.

The 2^nd XV (jointly with Lismore) have not had the joy of a win yet and only manage to scramble a side together to get games played – this is a vitally important area that we need to improve upon if we wish to see ourselves achieve what we hope and aim to. Where are all our players on a Saturday (or a Tuesday and Thursday, for that matter)? Our desire is to be able to field our own 2^nd XV on a regular basis to be able to provide competition for 1^st XV places and a vibrant atmosphere – as well as to have more home matches to help our bar trade and balance sheet.

Youth Rugby: Portobello High School are making good ground in the Mitsubishi Conference and enjoyed a quarter final win over Musselburgh last week (38 – 12) to reach the Plate semi-final – where they will play the winner of Boroughmuir High School v Carnoustie Monifieth. The semi-final is currently scheduled to be played on Wednesday 21^st November.

The mini section continues to show great improvement with the quality of play shown by the P7 group in particular being good to watch. They have home games on Sundays 18 November (Gifford); 25 November (Falkirk) and 9 December (George Watsons) at Portobello High School starting at 11.00am.

Business – keeping our heads up – could do better, much better – need subscriptions in – need successful and well attended events – need to work hard to stand still – all familiar messages.

All International tickets orders are closed – details will be issued to those who have ordered in due course.

Upcoming Events:

Scotland’s Autumn Internationals will be on television in Club.

Saturday 24^th November we have Alison Henry returning to provide an evening’s entertainment. Please contact Lesley Edgar for tickets.

2019 – Quiz Night on Saturday 12^th January; Burns’ Supper and February Ceilidh are at the planning stages – please keep an eye on website for updates.

Please note that Saturday’s Tennent’s Edinburgh Region Shield Round 2 tie – Portobello FP v Trinity Accies is scheduled to kick off at 12.30pm at Cavalry Park, Duddingston ahead of Scotland’s International in Cardiff on television – ko 2.45pm

Portobello Rugby kit available from Kukri –

https://www.kukrisports.co.uk/teamshop/portobellofprfc/productNavListNg.action

password – PORTOBELLORFC  (case sensitive)  – happy shopping!