Feb
16
Battling Boroughmuir frustrated by Melrose
Boroughmuir was defeated 12-18 at home by high-flying Melrose, in a hotly-contested game with important implications. Both teams needed a victory – Melrose eyeing a top 4 league position and British & Irish Cup slot for next season, while the Meggetland men were desperate to establish a winning sequence and climb off the foot of the RBS Premiership table. The game was very close right until the final whistle even when Melrose scored twice, but despite massive pressure on the Borderers line Muir was unable to score in the very last minutes.
The first half was quite even. Both defences were strong and the set-pieces were well- matched. Most of the attacking phases ended in turnovers before anyone could score, and a succession of penalties led to a battle of the kickers, with stand-off Ally Warnock doing sterling service for Muir, and his opposite number Andrew Skeen. Skeen missed his first kickable attempt after 5 minutes. Warnock opened the scoring 3 minutes after that, converting good go-forward pressure into 3 points. He scored again 15 minutes into the game, doubling his side’s lead. Skeen replied with a penalty for Muir players going off their feet (6-3). Melrose mounted a series of attacks against strong Muir defending, with Skeen missing another penalty.
Boroughmuir then held on to possession, and Melrose conceded a penalty at a ruck, giving Warnock the opportunity to add 3 more points (9-3). The same player converted another penalty after excellent go-forward play from Muir, and then centre Joe Helps replied just before half-time following a re-start crossing offence in midfield (H/T, 12- 6).
The second period started at a frantic pace just like the first, with successive attacks from Boroughmuir now playing down the Meggetland slope determined to build on their interval lead. Left wing Redha Guedroudj and No 8 Jamie Swanson each went close to scoring.
However, the pace and balance of the game changed after Boroughmuir number 6, Jackson Achilles was given a yellow card by RFU guest referee Shane Lewis for not rolling away.
Melrose benefited from their numerical advantage when winger Allan Dodds went over for a try, converted by Skeen (12-13). Scrums then became uncontested because of injuries to Melrose replacement hooker Wayne Mitchell and tight-head Gary Holborn. Muir did well to hold on to the ball but conceded penalties and surrendered possession through turnovers at breakdown and wayward kicking. Melrose outside centre Bruce Dick scored an unconverted try from a well-worked overlap on the left side (12-18).
Sleeves rolled up and going all-out for a vital victory, Boroughmuir began to exert pressure on a strong Melrose defence through a series of scrums, rucks and mauls on the visitors’ try-line, which eventually resulted in the sin-binning of second-row Graeme Dodds 4 minutes from final whistle, but the visitors just managed to hold out for a 6 point win (12-18).
The final score, 12-18, does not reflect the good Muir performance against opponents from the top of the league. Difficult times, but all is not lost for Muir in the final stages of the RBS Premiership league – the next games against Heriot’s, Stirling and Accies will be crucial.
385 spectators
Referee: Shane Lewis (RFU)
Score evolution: 3-0, 6-0, 6-3, 9-3, 12-3, 12-6, 12-13, 12-18.
Boroughmuir: 15.Robert Cairns (Keith Buchan 40’); 14.Sep Visser; 13.Malcolm Clapperton, 12.Stevie Wilson, 11.Redha Guedroudj; 10.Ally Warnock, 09.Sam Johnson; 01.Robin Hislop, 02.Darren Miller, 03.Jonny Latta (Kian Coertze 44’), 04.Greg Scott, 05.Ally Davidson, 06.Jackson Achilles, 08.Jamie Swanson, 07.Andrew Rose. Other subs used: Nick Fraser, Neil Rodger.
Melrose: 15.Fraser Thomson; 14.Callum Anderson, 13.Bruce Dick, 12.Joe Helps, 11.Allan Dodds; 10.Andrew Skeen, 09.Bruce Colvine; 01.Nicky Little, 02.Alun Walker (16. Wayne Mtichell 8’, then 17.Chris Keen 50’), 03.Gary Holburn, 04.Graeme Dodds, 05.Ross Ovens, 06.John Dalziel, 08.Ross Miller, 07.Andrew Nagle. Other subs used: Peter Eccles, Scott McCormick, Richard Mill.
