Jan
06
Currie 2nds v Boroughmuir Magic 2nds
Saturday 6th January
Malleny Park on the 6th January...surely the game will be off? No, in fact it was a sunny, we will just say bright, afternoon with little wind and a reasonably firm pitch. The ground had not been run on since the 2nd December so it should be in good condition.
The Magic 2 had trained Wednesday and Thursday with almost a full squad so expectations were high. However, Currie had other plans and with 2 minutes gone we had given away a silly penalty, they kicked to touch, won the line-out, created a quick ruck and the young scrum half sneaked through a gap under the posts to go 7 points ahead....Happy New Year!
Seven minutes later after we had pressure in the Currie 22m area there was a rather dubious interception but to be fair the Currie 13, he put his head down and ran to our 22 only to offload in the tackle allowing the winger to cruise in for a 14-0 lead. A very Happy NY for the Chieftains.
Six minutes later The Magic 2s decided to start the 2018 year and with pressure on the Currie, our attack forced a turnover through the industrious pairing of Matt Walker and Rob Ure in the back row. The pack picked and went then the lively Jack Hamilton put a cracker of a kick though for the pacey Gavin Welsh to chase and he got in behind the Currie winger for the points, Rory Scott converted. Now the year is underway and Boroughmuir looked alive and well. Hamilton was kicking to space and turning the Currie team forcing them deep into their half. On this pitch, it was not far though as the pitch length is closer to 70m than the standard 100m.
Currie had a lineout on their 22m line and with good pressure from Troxler and Ure they over-threw and Hamilton pounced taking the ball to the line and 18yr old Callum McDevitt picked and went over for another score. This young man is going places as he continues to impress the coaches. Captain Rory Scott converted again. It stayed at 14-14 until half time with both teams playing some excellent rugby.
B’Muir had the better offload game and Currie probably had the stronger crash ball game. However, both teams defence was strong and even with player/coach Ross Young putting boot to ball we could not get through the Currie line. We had opportunities but some panic set in. Grant Innes had a great kick and chase but the Currie back three dealt with it well.
Not too many strong words at half time, but some details on where the weaknesses were in the yellow and black defence, were offered by the coach.
Early on, Hamilton had another break up the middle and with Ure in support to receive the offload and give to Scott, and we thought we were in. Only a high tackle by the scrambling winger stopped the score but the referee felt it was not a try scoring opportunity. To be fair to the ref, it is not as if the left-winger tracked back to the far right corner as his other winger and full back were up in the attack line in front of all our players... oh, hang on.
B’Muir were then held up twice on the line with even the Currie back rowers saying we touched it down but that is the way the cookie crumbles. It was unfortunate, as the second time it was new prop Ryan Montgomery deemed to have been held up. A real shame, as it would have been the icing on the cake for his first run out for Boroughmuir. He had a great game at loosehead and I am sure we will be seeing more of the Irish prop in the coming weeks.
With Ollie James at 8 giving McDevitt a rest we held the scrum and he picked and drove over for a 5 pointer. 19-14 and all to play for. Hamilton had the better of his opposite number and stole ball and Walker was a constant thorn in the Currie attack along with Ure.
It was Walker who won a penalty deep inside the Currie half but Scott hit the post with the kick and Currie launched an attack. They held the ball for 11 minutes but we eventually got another turnover only to hand the ball back.
Tom Barker, however, took a gamble and flew out the D line to make a smashing hit on the Currie back line. Ball was spilled; our forwards kept hold and Hamilton kicked it out the park for the final whistle.
A great squad effort a great to start the year with a 19-14 win. Walker and Ure ran their socks off, as did young McDevitt. New prop Ryan Montgomery showed he has potential and 'old boy' Rosco Young steadied the ship. 18yr old Grant Innes is showing great promise and Welsh on the wing showed his out and out pace. Captain fantastic Rory Scott controlled the game well with some great breaks too. We do have to choose a MOM and for us it was another Irishman Mike Brown in the centre that was our pick.
He hit hard in defence and encouraged boys around him to do the same. He has class and panache at times and definitely understands the game. BUT... we do have to mention his dropped ball with nobody within 5 metres of him. It goes to show he still has things to work on.
Next up Hamilton away and then Heriots on the 20th.
Squad
Renton, Barker, Brown, Innes, Welsh, Scott, Hamilton, Young, Nethery, Montgomery, Troxler, James, Ure, Walker, McDevitt; Wildgoose, Robinson, Davidson, Richards (all subs used)
T; McDevitt, Welsh, James
C; Scott 2
Match report complied by AK.
