Feb
21
With the shackles of a possible relegation play off lifted after last week’s results, we hoped for a good open game and that is exactly what we got.
The ever expanding list of injured scrum half's meant that utility back Dougie Steele filled the position for the game and has now played in every position behind the scrum for the club this season.
Heavy rain preceded the game but thankfully had abated just before the kick off. This still left the pitch very wet and muddy but despite the conditions both sides were keen to run the ball at every opportunity.
Some great interplay from the Muir backs resulted in an early try for our latest Scottish Club International Jordan Edmunds which Chris Laidlaw converted to give Muir a 7-0 lead.
Muir kept the pressure on with Cal Davis going close but moments later Dougie Steel scored following a quick tapped penalty which Chris Laidlaw again converted to give Muir a 14-0 lead.
Muir kept the pressure on and Alex Cox came close but showed us why he is a rugby player and not a footballer when a kick and chase went array with the line at his mercy! An injury to Chris Laidlaw meant a reshuffle of the back line with Mark Hare coming on at centre and Craig Marshall moving to stand off.
Muir continued to dominate possession and a good solid scrum on the halfway saw Number 8 Iain Moody pick and go drawing the cover and putting winger Otulea Katoa in for another try which Dougie Steele converted to give Muir a half time lead of 21-0.
Hawks started the second half strongly but Muir responded well and some great work by the forwards set up a break for scrum half Dougie Steele who put Jordan Edmunds in for his second try with Steele adding the conversion to give them a commanding 28-0 lead.
However Muir then hit the snooze button at the kick off allowing Hawks to run back the ball for their first score of the day by centre Paddy Kelly which was converted by Gregor Hunter to reduce the deficit to 28-7.
Thankfully the Muir snooze ended quickly and another great break by Alex Cox was well supported by Man Of The Match prop Dale Robertson who took the Cox pass and brilliantly side stepped the covering Hawks full back to go under the posts for the try of the game.
Dougie Steele again converted to give Muir a 35-7 lead. Hawks were starved of possession for much of the game but have to be commended for running ball at every opportunity and were rewarded with a second converted try on the final whistle to make the final result 35-14.
The final first XV fixture against Hawick down at Mansfield Park will now be played on March 5th and it would be a great send off for Coach Bruce Aitchison to get a final win on the road.
Good luck to Jordan Edmunds on Friday as he wins a well deserved first cap for the Scottish Club International XV against England.
Match Report Craig Dawson
To see further photos from Dave Patterson, click here.
The Boroughmuir Bears played under wet and cold conditions against a big Peebles 2nd XV team at Peebles. With the first score coming into the 26th min, the Bears found their momentum to demolish Peebles 0-67.
The Bears showing the benefits of regular training as they focus on their goals to win their league for Boroughmuir this season.
