Nov
03
High-flying Stewart’s Melville dominate at Meggetland
Match report by Morgane Jarles
Photos by Dave Patterson
Boroughmuir went down 10-13 to Stewart’s Melville in a top of the league game this Saturday at Meggetland. The weather conditions didn’t help, and Muir wasn’t able to score enough points against a very motivated Stu Mel.
The Boroughmuir try came from Johnny Adams at the end of the game; it was converted by David Reekie who also scored a penalty in the 1st half.
Again the starting XV was a bit different from last week, with Joni Hare back at no 8 since captain Andy Rose is away to Namibia playing with Zimbabwe. Nick Fraser was back at the front row. Mark Hare and Jordan Webster both started on the wings.
Stewart’s Melville dominated the first part of the 1st half. Boroughmuir came back in the end and had several opportunities to score but was unable to capitalise on possession.
Stu Mel attacked the line right from the start and was soon close to scoring. Fortunately, Jonathan Hamblin knocked the ball on in a ruck that was almost over the try line.
The visitors’ forward pack was very strong and was vigilant in defence, tackling Sam Johnson into touch after he picked up the ball at the following scrum. Stu Mel attacked the line but Greig Scott’s good pressure in defence allowed Muir to briefly regain the ball. However, Stu Mel wouldn’t let go and soon benefited from a turnover, and gained a penalty successfully kicked by Nick McCashin (0-3).
The Inverleith men held on to the ball and Neil Bowie made ground on the right wing. They knocked the ball on after Alex Cox disturbed the attacking line, but their scrum won the ball back. Muir was soon penalised again, allowing Nick McCashin to add 3 more points to the scoreboard (0-6). Boroughmuir reacted really well by putting more pressure in attack, and won the ball on several occasions thanks to good takes by Trent Sutton and Thomas Docherty in lineouts.
Alex Cox got the ball back after a knock on by the Stu Mel attack, raced up the pitch after a clever chip kick, and was close to scoring. This was followed by an outstanding maul by the Muir forwards. Then, Jordan Webster found the right interval in the Stu Mel line and broke though, but unfortunately he was held up on the try line.
Muir eventually gained a penalty, giving David Reekie the opportunity to score Muir’s first 3 points (3-6). The two sides then shared the possession of the ball for the rest of the first half. Muir displayed good passages of play, as illustrated by advancing mauls, good takes in lineouts especially by Trent Sutton, and a break by Alex Cox, but it was Stewart’s Melville who was leading by 3 points at half-time.
The visitors’ eagerly gained possession after the restart. The ball quickly went through the backs’ hands allowing Mike Hanning and Seb Trotter to make considerable ground. The forwards were then close to scoring but were held up by the Muir strong defence. However, Stu Mel was given a penalty try after an excellent scrum.
McCashin added the extras (13-3). The visitors held on to the ball, but were unable to break through the tight home defence. Mark Hare intercepted the ball and offloaded to Webster, who passed to Alex Cox who made ground. The Meggetland men displayed fine passages of play, with fast hands on the right after a good pick up by Joni Hare. Jordan Webster also made ground on the left wing. The attack was well-organised, and the Meggetland men closer and closer to scoring every time they took the ball up as they gained 4 penalties successively. Eventually, Johnny Adams was in for the try.
David Reekie added the extra points (10-13). There were 4 minutes to go and Muir was keen to score again to win the game. The end of the match was tense and there was a lot of action. Muir quickly stole the Stu Mel ball, and there was good pace at the back. Stewart’s Melville put a lot of pressure in defence forcing Muir to go backwards, but conceded a penalty, kicked into touch by Boroughmuir.
The visitors then gained a penalty at a ruck 45 meters away from the posts, and went for the kick. The kick was too short, and Muir ran up the pitch in a last attempt to score, but Stu Mel held on in defence and eventually kicked the ball out (full time 10-13).
After this breath-taking end of game, Stewart’s Melville won their 7th game in a row and are now 2nd in the league table ahead of Watsonians. Boroughmuir won a defensive bonus point and still stand comfortable at the top of the table.
Former Boroughmuir man and Stewart’s Melville Coach Kevin Brown commented: “I think the referee impacted the game quite heavily. Our defence made the difference at the end of the day”.
At Meggetland, Saturday 2nd November 2013, KO 3pm
Referee: James McPhail
Assistant referees: Don McPherson, Graham Allan
Score evolution: 0-3, 0-6, 3-6 (HT), 3-13, 10-13.
Boroughmuir: 1 penalty (Reekie 29’), 1 try (Adams 76’), 1 conversion (Reekie 76’)
Stewart’s Melville: 2 penalties (McCashin 14’ & 20’), 1 penalty try (45’), 1 conversion (McCashin 45’)
Boroughmuir: 15.Craig Marshall, 14. Mark Hare, 13.Alex Cox, 12. Stevie Wilson, 11.Jordan Webster, 10. David Reekie, 09.Sam Johnson (19. Johnny Adams 62’); 01. Robbie Wilson (17. Scott Laird 51’), 02. Cal Davies, 03.Nick Fraser, 04. Greig Scott, 05. Trent Sutton, 06. Thomas Docherty (18. Jamie Scott 51’), 08.Joni Hare, 07. Neil Rodger. Other subs: 16.Darren Miller, 20. Ross Bradford.
Stewart’s Melville: 15.Mike Hanning, 14.Neil Bowie, 13. Dave Hampton, 12.Struan Allan, 11.Matt Morrell, 10. Nick McCashin, 09. Fraser Strachan; 01. Willie Aitken, 02.Nicholas Hart, 03. Rhys Morgan, 04. Scott Brewster, 05. Jonathan Hamblin, 06. Ruaridh Stewart, 08. Donald Sangster, 07. Ben Wilson. Subs: 16. Ross Anderson, 17. Adam Howie, 18. Fraser Morrison, 19. Sam Rowlands, 20.Seb Trotter.
Boroughmuir man of the match: Trent Sutton
Other Scores:
Boroughmuir 2nd XV 14 - Stewart's Melville 2nd XV 10
Boroughmuir Bears 50 - Murrayfield Wanderers 2XV 8
