Merchiston Castle 18 - 0 Edinburgh Academy: Merchiston make the most of forward momentum

Merchiston remain undefeated in schools rugby north of the Border this season after defeating Edinburgh Academy yesterday in the 152nd playing of what is the oldest continuous fixture in the world.

In a competitive match Merchiston used their greater experience and physicality against what is a young Edinburgh Academy side to dominate play throughout.

Academy knew that they would find it hard in the forward battle and so it proved with Merchiston's front five imposing themselves in both the set piece and breakdown areas.

"We went into our shell a bit and that was disappointing but that was about 11 boys who are still under 17," said Academy coach Mark Appleson.

Merchiston's superiority up front ensured a steady supply of ball allowing stand-off Sam Hidalgo-Clyne to show his skills. On this performance last season's Scotland under-17 stand-off will be front runner to claim the No.10 jersey in this year's under-18 team.

Yet for all their possession Merchiston found it difficult to breach an impressive Academy defence and found themselves in the lead by only 8-0 at half time from an early try by Rory Schneider-Gogan after scorching run from full-back Alex Webb and a penalty by Hidalgo-Clyne.

In the second half Schneider-Gogan celebrated his first start for the team with a second try from Hidalgo-Clyne's loop and scoring pass.

The stand-off converted before sealing victory with a second penalty.

Scorers: Merchiston Castle: Tries: R Schneider-Gogan 2. Cons: Hidalgo-Clyne. Pens: Hidalgo-Clyne 2.

Merchiston Castle: A Webb; R Schneider-Gogan, J Nutton, M Watson, M Walker; S Hidalgo-Clyne, S Steele; N Wright, A Lindsay, T Pasquali, J Fisher, A Morris, J Jone, A White, P Baker (capt). Subs: A Kerr, T Bonfield, A Paterson, F Schneider-Gogan.

Edinburgh Academy: S Heaney; J Farndale, C Dean, M Zegelman, F Smith; A Muir, A Glashan; J Haining, T Normand, J Pardoe, D Forbes, A Inwood, C Thomson, J McLean, C Simpson Subs: D Faulkner, R Seydak.

Referee: D Shaw (Edinburgh University).