May
26
Boroughmuir P7 Rugby: GHA Tournament.
Sunday saw the P7's visit Braidholm for the last time to compete in the GHA tournament, bringing an end to our competitive matches at Mini level! There was no time for tears in the eye as this year saw a new arrival to the tournament in the shape of Stirling County, our recent nemesis! A sunny, come rainy day saw two GHA teams, Marr, Stirling County, Whitecraigs, Ayr, GHK, Linlithgow and ourselves drawn in two pools for a 'jam packed' afternoon of rugby!
A spirited and focused Boroughmuir team saw us win our pool with wins against Marr (7 - 0), GHA Reds (8 - 0) and Whitecraigs (10 - 1). Our second match in the pool stages was against Stirling County. County are a well drilled team with some big players up front able to do damage to you if you don't pay them due respect. This match was never going to be easy, however, Muir started well with some great forward play of our own to take us up the the County line. Another concerted effort saw us go over the line for a valuable score. The rest of the match was a tense affair with play going back and forward between the two teams. The final whistle saw a narrow Muir win 1 - 0.
The pool win saw us in the semi final with the other pool's runners up - GHK. The start of the match saw a spirited GHK side play some well worked rugby to take the first try and then put up some stern competition, against an off-focused Muir - half time was welcome break. After a well placed size 10, the Muir machine kicked into tournament mode and started to play some great rugby. The support play saw some good, well worked tries being put in, with GHK wilting under the pressure - Muir win (9 - 2).
The final (as we knew it would be) was between Boroughmuir and Stirling County (who had won a narrow victory over GHA Greens). It was show-down at the 'OK Corral' again, the re-run of the
Biggar and Marr tournaments! The players focused and went on the park with real belief, determined to put in a good performance - fireworks begin. As the last game had been, the two teams locked horns and play went from end to end, with both team defending their lines well. A big push by the Muir forwards saw Luke touchdown for the first try. A few moments later a dropped pass from the County defence saw a great pick up from Stuart and the afterburners went on - Muir try number two! The second half saw no score, however, County saved a try on their line and a last well worked run down the wing by Muir to touch down in the corner was deemed to be out for a final score of 2 - 0: Muir win the GHA tournament.
Each and everyone of the Muir players deserves more praise than, us the coaches can give, for what was one of the best performances I've seen - and it puts us in a great place for next season!
As always a big thank you to GHA for what is our favourite tournament away from home, and we're sad it's our last one! A big thanks to all the travelling support - it always makes a difference!
One last piece of thanks goes to Derry McConnell for adding an extra gear to the Muir forward machine! S1 here we come, ready or not!
Boroughmuir P4 Rugby: GHA Tournament.
On our final match(es) of the season we travelled to Glasgow to face some formidable competition at the GHA tournament. In our section we faced Stirling, Linlithgow, GHA and Ayr all of whom are very good sides with strength and good technical skills, so we know this would be a real test for our boys.
Linlithgow 5 BRFC 1
First up was Linlithgow, which proved a tough ask for our guys who came out of the blocks a little too slowly and were several scores down in the first 5 minutes. Our kids showed tremendous resolve and rather than let the heads go down and collapse, they actually stepped up their game and tackling. Towards the end of the first game we were holding our own and managed to run in a try, a good sign for the next game.
Learning points: Start faster, line up at the re-starts and move cohesively as a team towards the opposition and once we have rucked over pick up the ball (to often it was left on the ground eventually the opposition pushing us back and re-gaining possession).
Ayr 2 BRFC 3
We had lost last time out to Ayr, however not do this time. Although the score was close, we were I thought the better side with better technical skills and better tackling and defence.
Learning points: We could have won by more, however just failed to get the ball down few times when white line fever descended and rather than passing and using the team to keep possession at pace.
Stirling 2 BRFC 1
Again a very good and close match. When we played at Stirling earlier in the year we were comprehensively beaten… not on this occasion. Although we were always behind our side tackled very well and defensively were hugely improved.
Learning points: In attack we did manage to score which was great, however we were again a little sloe to lick up the ball when we could have from the rucks and sometimes made individual runs when passing would have been a better option, particularly as the team were now doing a great job in supporting the runners.
LAST MATCH OF THE SEASON:
GHA 2 BRFC 5
Fantastic stuff by all, with some terrific running from our flying wingers and driving powerful runs through the middle… even a Calum Boe interception score. What a great way to end the match season.
Many thanks to those parents who made it through to Glasgow, the support and home baking was greatly appreciated!!
