Murrayfield provides enough magic to deserve 2011 return

One thing had to be confirmed before anything else. There had been rumours and a statement had even been out for weeks strengthening it all but it needed to be checked.

A picture left me fearing the worst but that's all it was – a picture. Cheggers was on page 10 but not on the actual bill. Yes, if one improvement could easily be made on last year's Magic Weekend affair it was to take away the microphone from the screeching Keith Chegwin.

Thankfully, BBC Radio 1's Dominic Byrne took over the on-field entertainment side of things this time around so there was no annoying shrilling to be heard in between matches and we could begin a relatively stress-free couple of days.

On that side of things, once again Edinburgh delivered. There will always be arguments about whether it is a worthwhile exercise playing seven Super League fixtures in a city which is alien to rugby league.

It is debatable whether the locals are really taking to the sport, despite its second substantial dose in as many years, with the number of Scottish people actually attending over the weekend again murky.

But no one can say Scotland's capital doesn't throw a party.

In and around the Murrayfield stadium, fans could bungee run, have a look at some Sumo Rugby, marvel at displays by the Royal Marines and take in the sounds of the live band The Big Beat.

Face-painting, tag rugby, cheerleading and the like was all on offer for visitors to soak up if the rugby got too much and everyone ignored the chilly weather to somehow create a carnival atmosphere once more.

The locals were their usual hospitable selves.

From the bus driver who managed to usefully inform me that I was on the wrong side of the road for the bus into town – I could still be on the Number 26 heading somewhere towards Cowdenbeath wondering just when I might end up seeing any of Edinburgh's landmarks if not for his kind intervention – to the shop attendants, burger vendors and stewards, they all know how to welcome the hordes of visitors.

Speaking to the man on the street, they enquired about the differences between rugby league and union, asked what makes it so special and seemed generally interested by what it had to offer, perhaps admitting to sometimes seeing it on the box and being impressed by its pace.

However, there was another big game on on Saturday – Hearts v Hibs – and that commanded much of the city's attention but those who ventured to Murrayfield witnessed some moments too.

There was no one classic encounter as such, although Leeds Rhinos produced that thrilling comeback to thwart Wakefield and the Crusaders were mightily impressive in what they did to an unsuspecting Bradford.

But the fare was generally good and supporters who travelled up for the weekend reported back in positive mood.

Whatever happens next to the Magic Weekend, if it does move on from Edinburgh, it will have a difficult task emulating Murrayfield

There's every chance it could carry on for another year and such is the geniality and bonhomie immersed in Edinburgh – the Athens of the North, so they say – I imagine it could be the sort of thing you don't know you'll miss until it's gone.

The powerbrokers will decide from hereon in but finer hosts the game is unlikely to see.