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Boroughmuir take it to the line

Boroughmuir come so close to major upset going down 11-12 to Gala

05 January 2013
Muir v Gala Action Shot

Jan

05

This was a vital game for both teams with Gala chasing the championship and Muir desperate for points for Premiership survival.

Muir had a lively start dominating possession and good solid srumaging putting Gala under pressure and a couple of strong midfield breaks from Keith Buchan and Scotland international Ben Cairns put Gala on the back foot. Muir gained a penalty for Gala holding which Harry Leonard converted for a 3-0 lead.

More strong scrumage work with Nick Fraser & Johnny Latta to the fore providing good ball which Ben Cairns took up well providing a good target for the Muir forwards to drive up field. Muir were dominating possession and territory but were not turning this into points despite a couple of great mazzy runs from Damien Hoyland . With the front row going well Muir made a strange substitution of Nick Fraser for Kian Coetze.

The lineout however was not going well for Muir. Gala pressure resulted in Muir giving away a penalty for offside which Gala stand off Lee Miller converted to make it 3-3.

Muir then conceded another quick penalty which Millar again converted to give Gala a 3-6 lead at half time.

Gala coach George Graham had obviously wound up his forwards at half time as them came out and immediately put Muir under pressure and again a penalty was conceded which Miller again converted to give Gala a 3-9 lead. 

Muir v Gala Action Shot

A missed Gala touch kick resulted in another great counter attack from Damien Hoyland who excites every time he gets the ball and has hugely impressed Scotland Under 21 coach Sean Lineen. Another graduate from the colts team hooker Darren Miller came on for Mike Brown to make his 1st XV league debut and immediately steadied the line out with some accurate throwing.

Muir were awarded a kickable penalty which was somewhat harshly reversed as Kian Coertze was penalised for some good old fashioned over exuberant rucking .Gala continued to pressure Muir and some aimless running from the Muir backs resulted in a penalty for holding on which Miller again converted to give Gala a 3-12 lead.

A great break from scum half Calum Cusiter who fed Ian Murray put pressure on the Gala line and they conceded a penalty for offside which Harry Leonard converted to make the score 6-12.

Muir then made a couple of substitutions with the tiring Cusiter being replaced by Sam Johnson and strangely our best ball carrier No.8 Jamie Swanson making way for Kiwi debutant Jackson Achilles. More pressure from the Muir pack resulted in a yellow card for a Gala forward as they were continually going offside.

Two great lineout drives from the Muir forwards finally paid dividend with Kian Coetze claiming the try on the 70 minute mark. Unfortunately Harry Leonard’s conversion hit the upright to make then score 11-12. Jackson Achilles debut came to a premature end as he was harshly yellow carded. With only two minutes left Muir were awarded a penalty 35 yards out and in front of the post but with the wind in his face Harry Leonard opted to kick for the corner. 

Muir v Gala Action Shot

This almost worked from the resultant lineout the ball was moved to the irrepressible Damien Hoyland who would have scored had it not been for a superb lat ditch cover tackle from Gala forward Craig Borthwick.

As the game moved into injury time Muir continued to pressure and as the ball was again worked to Damien Hoyland the try looked on but this time Borthwick wiped him out with an illegal shoulder charge which was awarded with Gala’s third yellow card of the game and a penalty to Muir.

Few of the home supporters could look on as Harry Leonard stepped up to take the final kick of the game. Unfortunately he pulled the ball wide and that could be heard at Meggetland was a forlorn sound of silence.

To make matter worse both Dundee & Stirling won and Aberdeen picked up two losing bonus points. Muir now find themselves seven points adrift at the bottom of the table but their fate is still in their hands .

On the positive side the forwards competed well and pushed Gala all the way. Andy Rose, Nick Fraser and Jamie Swanston continue to lead from the front. Young Darren Miller made a very impressive debut and Jackson Achilles is another to look out for. Scotland international Ben Cairns in his first full game following a long injury absence looked every part an international class player, straitening the line the encouraging the young back division.

Lets hope he is released to us for the remaining games .Damien Hoyland is very much a star in the making .He has electric pace and every time he gets the ball in a bit of space he creates something and his defence is also strong putting in a few great cover tackles in the game. The return of Calum Cusiter is also a huge bonus and he is a Muir man to the core and his experience will be invaluable in the remaining games.

We have five games remaining all are winnable three of which are at home to Dundee, Melrose & Heriots and two away to Strirling and Heriots. So lets all get behind the team and get along to the games and give the players as much vocal support as possible.

There is no point being negative we are where we are and now we can only go forward and hopefully upward.

To see more of the match photos, please click here

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