As the season has now formally drawn to a close, we will be hearing from the players who represented Musselburgh this season and hearing about their experiences.
Up first is forward Cameron Pryde.
Q: It was the first time Musselburgh were playing top flight rugby in 33 years, did you feel any pressure to make an impact and what were your expectations for the season?
"Yeah, I think I did feel a fair bit of pressure going into the season. Especially as going from mid table in National One to the Premiership is a big step up, so I knew I’d be up against a lot of better players. It was also a big deal for the club being back in the Premiership and having played for Musselburgh since I was 12, there was bit of pressure there to show that we deserved to be in the premiership. I think my expectations were fairly similar to everyone else’s and that was to take the season one game at a time with goal at the end not to be relegated."
Q: Looking back to the first game of the season against Glasgow Hawks in the Scottish Cup, how confident were you of a win and getting the season off to the right start?
"I think confidence was high going into that game, we had a good preseason at our backs and we knew that Glasgow Hawks weren’t that strong a team. Leading up the game I think we knew we had the ability to expose their weaknesses if we played at our best."
Q: The first half of the season had some ups and downs, where do you think the turning point was in the season?
"I think the Hawick game at Mansfield, particularly in the second half was the turning point. Although we didn’t win, we defended really well and we got a valuable point. This game proved to us that we deserved to be in this league and gave the team confidence as for most of the game we matched one of the top teams in the league."
Q: What was your favourite game to play this season and why?
"As many people would agree beating Jed at home was my favourite game this season. It was a really important game as if we had lost, I think we would have definitely struggled to survive."
Q: Did you have any other favourite moments off the pitch this season?
"That’s a tough question as there has been a lot of good times this season, but I’d have to say the super Saturday lunch was a particular highlight. Even though the 6 nations games were cancelled it was great to see everyone from the club come together and enjoy themselves. Even though we weren’t aware at the time it, that day ended up being a good way to end the season and celebrate the success we had as a club."
Q: The outbreak of COVID-19 unfortunately caused the season to be null and void. What were your initial feelings after hearing this decision?
"Both disappointment and relief. Disappointment that the season didn’t finish and we didn’t get to celebrate officially surviving in the league. Relief in the fact that, unlikely as it was, we wouldn’t be relegated into national one and would be playing premiership rugby next season. It was also disappointing not to see the 2nds in the playoffs as they had played really well this season and deserved it."
Q: Knowing we will be definitely playing Premiership rugby again next year, what are your expectations for next season and what do you think will be different?
"I think as a player group we now know what to expect in the Premiership so I expect us to start next season a lot stronger than we did this season. If we can play like we did the second half of this season I think top half should be our goal for next season. I think the standards in our league will go up again and games will be tougher."
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