Feb
09
Boroughmuir Rugby make hard work of Win
Match report by Morgane Jarles
Photos by Dave Patterson
Boroughmuir secured a narrow victory at home against Selkirk this Saturday 20-17. Selkirk dominated and took the lead for most of the game, but Muir was able to come back with a penalty try followed by a double by Iain Moody in the second half.
Muir benefited from early possession thanks to a good play by Iain Moody. The Meggetland men played up front with good pick and go phases, and then Alex Cox received the ball after a clever switch and broke the line. Craig Marshall also took the ball up, and offloaded to Joni Hare. Stevie Wilson took the ball in and gained a penalty in front of the posts, kicked between the sticks by David Reekie (3-0). Selkirk then had their hands on the ball after dominating a ruck, and they attacked round the fringes. Muir conceded a penalty, successfully kicked by Darren Clapperton (3-3).
After Adam Best stole the ball in a lineout, Boroughmuir built on possession and the scrum was going well. Andy Rose picked up the ball after an advancing maul and made good ground. The Meggetland men had a real opportunity to score choosing the scrum on the 5-meter line when awarded a penalty.
However, the Selkirk defence was immense and the Borderers kicked for clearance. They built their way up to the Muir try line. There was a good pick up by Callum Marshall then quick hands to the left, and Craig MacDougall broke through on his wing to score the first try of the afternoon, converted by Darren Clapperton (3-10). Selkirk held on to possession and Gordon Patterson soon added another try.
Darren Clapperton added the extras to widen the gap on the scoreboard (3-17). They kept on attacking the line and found a good lineout close to the try line thanks to an excellent kick by Callum McEwan, but Muir benefited from a turnover and both Alex Cox and Iain Moody ran fine lines.
The Meggetland men were awarded a penalty try soon before half-time after an outstanding maul. David Reekie added the extra points (HT 10-17).
The game was more contested after the restart. Rory Banks ran a fine line break after Selkirk secured the ball at the set pieces. Boroughmuir put a lot of pressure in defence and eventually won the ball back. Craig Marshall took the ball in but Selkirk won a penalty at the ruck.
At that point, Neil Rodger came on instead of Joni Hare, injured. James Bett, the Selkirk hooker, burst through after the following lineout but Andy Rose’s huge tackle made him knock the ball on. Muir then built on possession, and had a few scrum on the 5-meter line, but were held up several times by the keen Selkirk defence. Iain Moody finally touched down after a push push at what might have been the 5th scrum in a row.
David Reekie missed the conversion (15-17). Selkirk attacked the line again, but lost the ball under the pressure of the Meggetland men. Jordan Edmunds and Sam Johnson both had the opportunity to run good lines on their respective wings. Muir came close to scoring but the tight Selkirk defence briefly recovered the ball.
Fraser Harkness took the ball in and the forwards worked their way around the fringes. Boroughmuir benefited from a turnover with Craig Marshall and Jordan Edmunds putting pace on the ball.
Then the attack became a forwards’ job. Iain Moody scored an unconverted try a few minutes before the final whistle (20-17). Muir held on to possession until the end, and were awarded a penalty, kicked into touch as the referee blew the time up (20-17).
A very strong Selkirk team came to Meggetland and their defence must be given credit. Boroughmuir could have reacted earlier in the game.
The next game away to Biggar (Saturday 1st March) will be a must-see!
At Meggetland, Saturday 8th February, KO 12.30
Score evolution: 3-0, 3-3, 3-10, 3-17, 10-17 (HT), 15-17, 20-17.
Boroughmuir: 3 tries (penalty try 37’, Moody 56’ & 77’), 1 conversion (Reekie 37’), 1 penalty (Reekie 5’)
Selkirk: 2 tries (MacDougall 25’, Patterson 29’), 2 conversions (Clapperton 25’ & 29’), 1 penalty (Clapperton 10’)
Boroughmuir Rugby: 15.Craig Marshall, 14. Sam Johnson, 13.Alex Cox, 12. Stevie Wilson, 11.Jordan Edmunds, 10. David Reekie, 09.Johnny Adams; 01. Robbie Wilson (17. Scott Laird 40’), 02. Cal Davies, 03.Jonny Latta (01. Robbie Wilson 63’), 04. Trent Sutton (05. Adam Best 69’), 05. Adam Best (18. Greig Scott 40’), 06. Joni Hare (19.Neil Rodger 48’), 08. Iain Moody, 07. Andrew Rose. Other subs: 16.Roddy MacKenzie, 20. Greg Cannie
Selkirk: 15.Josh Welsh, 14.Darren Clapperton, 13. Ross Nixon, 12. Rory Banks, 11.Craig MacDougall, 10 Gavin Craig (16. Callum McEwan 13’), 09. Fraser Harkness; 01. Gordon Patterson, 02.James Bett, 03. Catalin Graur, 04. Rickie Fluhler, 05. Andrew Renwick, 06. Ewan MacDougall, 07. Angus Duckett, 08.Callum Marshall (19.Craig Elliott 40’). Other subs: 17. Ruairi Wilson, 20. John Everitt
Boroughmuir Rugby man of the match: Cal Davies
Selkirk man of the match: Gordon Patterson
