Sep
29
Meggetland Men Dominate at Philiphaugh
Match report by Morgane Jarles
Boroughmuir secured a great win in sunny Selkirk on Saturday, beating the Borderers 43-5. Muir dominated most game areas, only allowing the hosts to score once, while tries by Latta, Scott, Johnson, Cox and Cairns resulted in a comfortable victory for the Meggetland men, who now stand at the top of the league table.
Muir started with a few changes in the squad, with Angus Wallace and Thomas Docherty starting on the bench, replaced by Jonny Latta and Greig Scott. Muir displayed strong go-forward play right from the start, which resulted into a penalty only 2 minutes into the game, successfully kicked by David Reekie (3-0).
The Meggetland men dictated the pace of the game with good kicks by Craig Marshall and good moves at the back with Jordan Edmunds making considerable ground after cutting in the centre. The ball then came back into the forwards’ hands and Jonny Latta scored the first try of the afternoon, converted by Reekie (10-0).
Selkirk briefly regained possession but was put under pressure by the tight Muir defence. Boroughmuir then benefited from a turnover and were very pervasive in attack, as illustrated by a good pick up by Sam Johnson, and a line-break by Robbie Wilson, who offloaded to Will Kay, allowing Muir to get close to the try line. Selkirk conceded a penalty, kicked into touch by Marshall.
This resulted into an unconverted try by Greig Scott, who grabbed the ball in the lineout and touched down (15-0). The try was followed by well-organised phases of play by the Borderers, but the Muir men were soon to regain possession with Jordan Edmunds racing away.
He offloaded to Joni Hare in Selkirk’s 22, but Selkirk’s full-back Josh Welsh knocked the ball on, and was sent off.
Cal Davies also got yellow carded a minute later, just before Alex Cox took advantage of a gap in the defence and concluded the 1st half with a try. Reekie added the extras points (HT 22-0).
Excellent communication between Reekie and Robert Cairns resulted in a try by Cairns just after the restart. Reekie added the extras (29-0). Muir kept playing in Selkirk’s half, and Sam Johnson soon added another converted try after a clever pick up round a ruck (36-0).
After that, Selkirk came back into the game with brave attempts in attack, as illustrated by a fine line break by captain Ross Nixon, but Muir put on extra pressure in defence. There were many turnovers, with both sides successively making ground.
However, after Muir regained possession thanks to outstanding defence by Greig Scott, Alex Cox scored Muir’s last try of the day, converted by Reekie (43-0). Selkirk replied with fine passages of play at the back and eventually scored a try. Scott Hendrie touched down on the right wing, but Josh Welsh missed the conversion (43-5).
Boroughmuir was close to scoring one last try in the end, but the hosts held on in defence until the final whistle (full time 43-5).
Although the Borderers contested bravely throughout, the match was a convincing statement of intent ahead of next Saturday’s much-anticipated local derby against Watsonians, who lost against Kelso this weekend.
Boroughmuir’s man of the match Greig Scott commented:
“It was a really good game. It was a hot day and a long bus trip but we managed to play really well in the first half. Selkirk came back in the second half but we held on in defence”
Selkirk’s scrum-half Fraser Hartness said:
“It was good, Muir played well. Physicality at the front cost us the game”.
At Philiphaugh, Selkirk, Saturday 28th September 2013, KO 3pm
Referee: Neil Muir (Forresters)
Assistant referees: John Hawryluk (SRU) and David Crudge (Hawick)
Score evolution: 3-0, 10-0, 15-0, 22-0 (HT), 29-0, 36-0, 43-0, 43-5.
Boroughmuir: 6 tries (Latta 9’, Scott 24’, Cox 40’ & 67’, Cairns 41’, Johnson 44’), 5 conversions (Reekie 9’, 40’, 41’, 44’, 67’), 1 penalty (Reekie 2’).
Selkirk: 1 try (Hendrie 74’)
Yellow cards: Selkirk: Welsh 36’; Boroughmuir: Davies 37’.
Boroughmuir: 15.Craig Marshall, 14. Robert Cairns, 13.Alex Cox, 12. Malcolm Clapperton, 11.Jordan Edmunds, 10. David Reekie, 09.Sam Johnson; 01. Robbie Wilson, 02. Cal Davies, 03.Jonny Latta, 04. Greig Scott, 05. Will Kay, 06. Joni Hare, 08. Andrew Rose (capt.), 07. Neil Rodger. Subs: 16.Darren Miller, 17.Angus Wallace, 18.Thomas Docherty, 19.Murray Johnstone, 20. Stevie Wilson.
Selkirk: 15.Josh Welsh, 14.Scott Hendrie, 13. Lee Kibble, 12. Ross Nixon (capt), 11.Darren Clapperton, 10 Gavin Craig, 09. Fraser Harkness; 01. Gordon Patterson, 02.Ian Walling, 03. Cata Graur, 04. Steven Renwick, 05. Ewan mcDougall, 06. Ryan Crockatt, 07. Angus Duckett, 08.Matt Kissick. Subs: 16. Scott Tough, 17. James Bett, 18. Alan Lambie, 23.Graham Turner.
