Feb
16
By Chris Evans
Haddington 2nd XV 33 - Boroughmuir Bears 13
The Boroughmuir Bears travelled to East Lothian on Saturday, off the back of two disappointing results in a row. During a better spell of form in November, the Bears had recorded an impressive 44-17 home victory against Haddington. So despite the recent losses the Bears were confident of doing the double.
The Bears side had five changes from last weeks game against RHC Cougars. In the backs there were welcome returns for centre Jordan Angus and scrum-half Jimmy Lynch. With veteran Scott Anderson out injured his place in the front row was taken by Richard Marshall and their were debuts for lock Rob Lesiak and blindside flanker Mark Brown. With confidence low, it was great to see former first team hooker David Cunningham answer the SOS call for the Bears as well.
The opening twenty minutes of the match saw Haddington dominate possession and territory, using their big runners in the back-row and centres to good effect. The Bears were up to the challenge and defended well. However, in attack they struggled to retain the ball for multiple phases, a recurring problem from previous weeks games. Scrum-half Lynch was doing his best to link the forwards with his backs but too often he was having to deal with the opposition coming through the ruck, as the Bears clearing out was simply not good enough.
Eventually Haddington broke down the Bears defence with their stand-off putting their openside flanker in for the opening try with a neat inside pass. The Bears hit back with a penalty kick by Chris Evans soon after and looked to have shaken off the rustiness of the opening quarter. Spurred on by the strong ball carrying of David Cunningham, the forwards started to match their opponents and debutant league convert Rob Lesiak started to punch some holes in the home sides defence.
Disappointingly the Bears could not convert this possession into tries and shortly before half-time they conceded another converted try, this time their inside centre powering through for a try under the posts. The score after the opening fourty minutes was 14-3 to Haddington.
Coaches Sievewright and Laidlaw again gave the Bears a stern talking to at half-time, emphasising the need to plug the leaks in defence and be tougher around the rucks.
The Bears managed to get another penalty kick in the opening minutes but soon after Haddington scored another try. They were playing slightly better though and when the backs finally got their hands on the ball, they were able to stretch the home sides defence. Wingers Chris O’Neill and Gabriel Rammeloo looked dangerous but were well matched by their speedy opposite numbers.
The comeback for the Bears looked to be hampered when a yellow card was handed to Evans for two high tackles in as many minutes. However, this galvanised the team and with Derek Murray stepping into stand-off he was able to orchestrate some good back moves with Jordan Angus and Stevie Harris making some good ground. However, it was lock Lesiak that managed to get the Bears over the whitewash, with his powerful straight running eventually being rewarded with a try. Harris converted the score.
Momentarily an unlikely comeback looked like it could be on the cards, however, Haddington would not let up and eventually took advantage of the extra man they had and secured a bonus point try. When restored to fifteen men, the Bears continued to plug away manfully but lacked a little bit of composure and cutting edge when they were in the opposition twenty-two. It was from turnover ball in their own half that allowed Haddington to get their fifth and final score with five minutes to go. However, the Bears did not give up and were unlucky not to get a last minute try with first Cunningham and then Chaz Campbell being held up over the line. With luck not on their side the Bears finished on the end of a 33-13 defeat.
It was another tough and ultimately disappointing match for the Bears. All was not disappointing though, with the scrum being very strong today with the evergreen Billy Blyth continuing to roll back the years and he looks to have a good apprentice in fellow prop Richard Marshall.
The stand-out player in the forwards for the Bears today was David Cunningham, who’s all round game is still as good as ever. His ball carrying was effective but also he shored up the scrum and line-out as well. Lets hope he can make a few more cameos for the Bears! In the backs flying Dutchman Gabriel Rammeloo continues to improve and looked for work throughout the match. He was unlucky not to round his opposite number after a great second half run.
The Bears did enjoy some success, however. The squad can be proud that a topless Rammeloo destroyed his opponent in the customary man-of-the match yard of ale drinking contest. We’ll conveniently not mention too much about the teams performance in the other drinking match. Suffice to say Blair Calder and Mark Brown need to work on their glass flicking technique! Haddington provided some great after match grub and their hospitality was possibly the warmest the Bears have received this season, so thank you to them.
Next week the Bears face Selkirk 3rds at home and lets hope the return to Meggetland will see the Bears get back to winning ways.
15. Stevie Harris, 14. Gabriel Rammeloo, 13. Jordan Angus, 12. Derek Murray, 11. Chris O’Neill, 10. Chris Evans, 9. Jimmy Lynch, 8. Andy Clark, 7. Luke Maidment, 6. Mark Brown, 5. Rod Hutchison (c), 4. Rob Lesiak 3. Billy Blyth 2. David Cunningham 1. Richard Marshall
Sub: Blair Calder, Lewis Robinson, Chaz Campbell
