Mar
03
Boroughmuir 1st XV 22 Heroits 1st XV 23
Improved Boroughmuir concede a narrow loss against Heriot’s
Boroughmuir hosted Heriot’s at sunny Meggetland on Saturday, just a week after the first clash at Goldenacre. In what turned out to be a tightly-contested encounter against Heriot’s, who were keen to secure their place in the top 4, won over a magnificently motivated Muir, who finally lost by the closest of margins (22-23) only in the final minutes of the game.
The visitors went close to scoring at the clubhouse end right at the start. Then Heriot’s captain, stand-off Graham Wilson missed his first kickable attempt with just 3 minutes on the clock. Muir forwards secured good ball and a burst by hooker Mike Brown took play into opposition territory; Heriot’s were penalised for not releasing, which Ally Warnock slotted between the posts (3-0).
The fired-up home pack controlled possession, leading to nice interplays, with speedy runs from left wing Jordan Edmunds and clever kicks by Warnock. After a good line break and well-executed miss-pass to the right by captain Jamie Swanson, right wing Ross Bradford scorched over for an excellent unconverted try in the corner (8-0). Heriot’s countered through their pacey backline, with left wing Boisseau close to scoring twice, but Muir’s 15-man scrambling defence was resolute and held out.
The home side was eventually penalised close to their posts, allowing Wilson to open Heriot’s account with a simple penalty (8-3). Boroughmuir stormed back and Ross Bradford scored his second try 5 minutes later, converted by Warnock (15-3). For the remainder of the first period, Heriot’s enjoyed greater possession, but were unable to score despite penalties against Muir at rucks and mauls (HT 15-3).
Four minutes into the second-half, Stevie Wilson scored Muir’s third try after an incisive break by fellow centre Keith Buchan - Warnock converted for a seemingly comfortable lead (22-03). Heriot’s then made ground in Boroughmuir territory and Graham Wilson scored a try after Muir prop Johnny Latta was given a yellow card. He converted his own try (22-10).
Around this time, the visitors gradually began to exert control over possession and field position, despite the efforts of highly competitive Boroughmuir who were unable to capitalise fully on occasional turnovers. After a strong Heriot’s maul, full-back Mike Penn benefited from a well-worked overlap on the right with an unconverted try (22-15). Ten minutes after that, Wilson added 3 more points from a penalty (22-18).
After that, Boroughmuir managed good go-forward phases as illustrated by a powerful charge by Ally Davidson followed by an excellent kick-through by Warnock for Robert Cairns to chase over the line, which was unfortunately not rewarded. At that point, Heriot’s backline Goodie, Ferguson and Penn took advantage of a lapse in Muir concentration and raced away down the length of the pitch on the stand side resulting in a try by Goodie which was unconverted (22-23).
This try proved an insurmountable obstacle on the scoreboard for the brave Boroughmuir players, who continued to put pressure on Heriot’s defense until the final whistle, which occurred after a missed drop goal by Warnock. .
Both teams showed good touches in an entertaining “return match” this weekend. Despite Boroughmuir playing with heart and soul throughout the game, to the extent of dominating at times in many areas, Heriot’s retained sufficient composure to snatch an unlikely victory from the home side in the very last moments.
The prospect of Muir’s climb away from the foot of the RBS Premiership league table is now an altogether harder task than it might have been. Supporter’s fustration evident after the game and asking what changes are coming ahead of next season?
Referee: Iain Heard (SRU)
Score evolution: 3-0, 8-0, 8-3, 15-3, 22-03, 22-10, 22-15, 22-18, 22-23.
Boroughmuir: 3 tries (Bradford 12’ and 32’, Wilson 44’), 2 conversions (Warnock 32’ and 44’), 1 penalty (Warnock 7’). Yellow card: J Latta (50’)
Heriot’s: 3 tries (Wilson 51’, Penn 61’, Goudie 75’), 1 conversion (Wilson 51’), 2 penalties (Wilson 25’ and 68’)
Boroughmuir: 15.Robert Cairns; 14.Ross Bradford; 13.Keith Buchan, 12.Stevie Wilson, 11.Jordan Edmunds; 10.Ally Warnock, 09.David Reekie; 01.Nick Fraser, 02.Mike Brown, 03.Jonny Latta (Kian Coertze 44’), 04.Greig Scott, 05.Ally Davidson, 06.Jackson Achilles (18.Ali McLeod 68’), 08.Jamie Swanson (capt), 07.Neil Rodger. Other subs: 16. Greg Jones, 17.Paul Richards, 19.Harry Fenton, 20.Jordan Webster
Heriot’s: 15.Mike Penn; 14.Colin Goudie, 13.Max Learmonth, 12.Rory Carmichael (20.Cameron Ferguson 44’), 11.Harry Boisseau; 10.Graham Wilson (capt), 09.Olly Brown; 01.Craig Owenson (16.Nathan Borel 12’), 02.Kevin Bryce, 03.Struan Cessford, 04.Brian Morrissey(18.C Osajwa 40’), 05.Russell Nimmo, 06.Fraser Brown, 08.Jamie Syme (17.Jamie Parker 44’), 07.Chris Mulligan. Other subs: Ross Martin
