Sep
26
With Muir on an unbeaten league run hopes were high with the visit of Selkirk.
Their performances this season do not reflect on their lowly league position and they ran Currie close last week so this was always going to be a tight game. Muir had to make a late change with Grant McConnell being replaced by Dougie Steel with Mark Hare coming on to the bench.
From the kick off Muir put good pressure on the Selkirk but a knock on from Iain Moody resulted in a Selkirk scrum unfortunately the Muir forwards infringed and give away a penalty which Rory Banks kicked to give Selkirk a 0-3 lead after 5 minutes.
From the kick off Muir attacked but unfortunately stand off Chris Laidlaw was injured with a suspected broken arm and was replaced by centre Mark Hare with Greg Cannie moving to stand off.
Selkirk attack and are awarded another penalty for a scrum infringement which Banks kicks to make the score 0-6.
From the kick off Muir put pressure on the Selkirk line a clearance kick is charged down and Muir are unlucky not to score. More Muir pressure results in a kickable penalty being awarded but on the “Coaches call”, Muir kick to touch but from the resultant line out the ball is lost going forward and Selkirk clear the lines.
More Muir pressure and another kickable penalty is awarded and again Muir opt to kick to the corner but again loose the ball from the lineout. Selkirk again clear but from the line out Muir are awarded yet another penalty.
This time Greg Cannie opts for the kick but unfortunately misses. From the restart 22 drop out Muir catch and drive and are held up just short of the line. A scrum is awarded to Muir and No8 Magnus Bradbury picks and drives to score in the corner.
Cannie misses the conversion to make the score 5-6.
From the kick off Muir catch and drive and win a scrum. Selkirk infringe and Muir are awarded a penalty which Craig Marshall kicks long to touch inside the Selkirk 22. From the line out Andy Rose drives and Selkirk again infringe. Greg Cannie kicks the penalty to put Muir into an 8-6 lead.
From the kick off Muir again attack and win a penalty in the Selkirk 22.Again the “Coach calls” the kick to the corner but yet again Muir loose the ball.
Selkirk clearance ball is well fielded by Dougie Steel who passes inside to scrum half Robbie Smith whose deft pass to the supporting Andy Rose who ran in under the posts. Cannie converts to put Muir 15-6 up on the stroke of half time.
Selkirk kick off the second half and immediately pressure the Muir line and eventually give up a penalty which Rory Banks fails to convert. From the 22 drop out Selkirk catch and drive and are held up just short of the line. Muir infringe at the resultant scrum and Selkirk opt to kick to the corner.
From the line out Selkirk are again held up on the line and again Muir give away a penalty. This time Selkirk tap and go and lock forward Andrew Renwick goes over to score. Rory Banks misses the conversion to make the score 15-11. Muir bring on Cal Davies for hooker Sean Crombie. From the kick off Muir go on the attack. Craig Keddie on as a replacement for Callum Reid goes on a great mazy run and Muir set up multiple attacking phases.
Eventually Selkirk concede a penalty which Craig Marshall kicks to the corner .From the line out Muir catch and drive and are held up just short of the line. From the resultant scrum the Selkirk forwards drive Muir off the ball and clear the ball to touch. Muir take a quick line out drive forward and are again held up on the line. From the scrum Kiwi scrum half Robbie Smith puts up a great box kick which the Muir forwards win and yet again great Selkirk defence holds up the Muir drive and a penalty is conceded by Muir.
Selkirk clear and bring the ball up field however a fumble by Selkirk stand off Dashston Wellman is pounced on by Mark Hare who goes under the posts to score.
Cannie converts to make the score 22-11.From the kick off Selkirk infringe and loose a forward to a yellow card. Muir bring on replacement scrum half Rik Van Balkolm for Robbie Smith. Muir again go on the attack but the Selkirk defence is solid and they clear downfield and put pressure on the Muir line.
A great break by Selkirk stand off Wellman sees him held up just short of the line but great work from the Selkirk forwards sets up replacement prop Cata Gruer for a try in the last minute. Rory Banks converts to make the final score 22-18 and earn Selkirk a valuable bonus point.
Another win and a good all round performance but again we are giving up to many cheap penalties especially in good attacking positions.
Next week a tough trip to Gala but after last week’s fantastic second half performance at Melrose we can go there with confidence.
Match Report: Craig Dawson
Photos: Dave Patterson. To see more photos of the game, follow us on Facebook, click here.
The Magic 2s also win big over Edinburgh Accies 2s winning 38-17! Congratulations!
The Boroughmuir Bears travelled to Heriots who sit on top of the table. Bears strong performance winning 10-59. Well done Bears!
