Dec
01
Boroughmuir S1 - 15 : 4 - Ayr S1 ( 19 : 12 - after Development Period)
On a lovely December day, we set off to Ayr by bus for a fixture we have always enjoyed through our Mini years.
Today's game was again a close encounter and Boroughmuir were made to work very hard to come out winners in an eagerly contested match. The first period started with Ayr on the front foot and they were managing to win most of the initial breakdowns and rucks. The first try was against the run of play and we managed to win the loose ball to run in from 50 metres. Tries followed for each team to go in at half time leading by 2 tries to 1. (8 - 4)
After some words of advice from Daz Miller (1st XV Hooker), the second period was much better and Muir started to be much more competitive and physical in the rucks. The difference was huge and this enabled us to get more quality ball out to our backs. Try of the game came from some great support play, several phases before the ball went along the back line for our debut centre to run around the Ayr defence and score under the posts. A much better half all round and with some great defence too we managed to keep Ayr from crossing our line to finish the period with two unanswered tries. (15 - 4)
With some changes made for the Development Period, Muir continued to play some great rugby and scored the first try. Ayr replied with a try from a quick penalty before they scored with the last play of the game with a breakaway try from about 70m from their strong running winger. (19 - 12)
A big thanks Ewan & Matt who filled in as forwards for most of the game due to a shortage of forward players today. Our smaller pack played well all game and stuck to their task against a bigger Ayr scrum.
Overall a very good performance against a good Ayr side who made it very difficult for us all game. A credit to both teams for some great rugby on show. Thanks to Ayr for their excellent hospitality and hosting us today.
Boroughmuir P7 at Currie
After a lot of call off's, today was never going to be easy, so we travelled to Malleny Park with 9 players - time for some of that great Muir resolve!
On a nice sunny Sunday morning our first game was against Musselburgh. A special thanks to the six Currie players that played for us. Muir were slow to get going, allowing Musselburgh to put in an early score. With some connected passes we managed to draw level. Some confusion through the team allowed Musselburgh to keep recycling the ball from the contact, which made it very hard for us to get any phases of play in. The resultant scrappy play allowed Mussellburgh to score a further three times. BR lost 1 - 4.
Game two was against Stewart Melville. Playing a 9 on 9 match suited us more, and the team started in a very positive manner, however, the Lions put in the early score with a lovely switch move. Not to be out done Muir, dug in a with a move down the right which released a great score. The second half saw more good play from both sides as the game went back and forth. The Lions put in a sprint down the right and cut back in to give them the winning score, very close, but encouraging signs from Muir. BR lost 1 - 2.
Our last match was against our hosts, Currie. These are never easy games, always hard fought with a lot of determined play. Muir started well with a great drive, which moved to the wing to score. Currie came back with a well worked try to level. A determined drive down the middle by Muir saw us break free of defenders and score in the corner. At half time it was 3 - 2 to Muir. Currie brought on the other half of their squad for the second half. Rather than fall apart the team dug in with some gritty performances. The second half saw some good play with each team scoring from some good, well connected play. In the end Muir managed to hold on for the win. BR win 5 - 4.
A big thank you to Daniel, Innes, Callum, Josh, Olivia, Finlay H, Sonny, Nathan and Lewis, our nine players who showed a lot of spirit and heart to stand tall a play some great rugby, in the face of some good opposition! A big thank you too, to the Currie players that helped us out in the first game, much appreciated!! Also a big thank you to Currie for hosting all the matches and putting up with us.......
Boroughmuir P6 at Currie
A 10-member P6 team, missing several match-hardened stalwarts, played Currie and Musselburgh - two teams that have provided stiff opposition in the past. Any fears that the less experienced players would suffer nerves were dispelled in the first game with a spirited win against a physical Currie team. All 11 steps of Ball Retention were perfectly demonstrated in the game leading to great continuity and ball retention edging
the game for Boroughmuir, 3-2.
The second game was against Musselburgh, and was nearly as tight and hard fought as the last meeting of the teams in North Berwick. Boroughmuir were 2-1 down at half time and unable to recover in a tense second half in which defences were on top and no tries were scored.
The final game was against a second Currie team. Boroughmuir were 2-1 up at half time, but the small squad numbers limited the options for substitutions and players were becoming tired. In the second half, Currie’s aggressive rucking won turnover ball which resulted in tries. A rally by Boroughmuir did result in another score, with the final result 5-3 to Currie.
Overall, the tournament was a victory for the strength of the P6 squad.
The attitude and effort of all players was a credit to themselves, the team and the club. Onwards and upwards …
Boroughmuir P5 at Currie
P5s had a stellar day at Currie, with wins in all their games. Their first game saw them take on Currie and run in a try every 2 minutes for the duration of the game, whilst also keeping a clean sheet.
A tighter game followed against Stewarts Melville, which was very competitive and saw the boys edge it 5 tries to 3.
We then followed this up with a game against Currie's other team where after a tight first half the team edged out to a 9 - 1 win.
The final game was against Musselburgh, which again was a tight game, but again the boys strung together a great performance and edged in the end.
All in all a fantastic set of games, with the boys really gelling as a team and showing some great team, as well as individual, phases of play. An eight phase play finished off with six straight passes to allow a touchdown in the corner against Currie being the highlight for the coaches.
