Nov
08
By Sally Pincott
Photos by Dave Patterson
An International weekend of rugby should be a weekend for watching professional rugby rather than playing amateur rugby.
However, the way the Magic 2s started the game looked as though a professional performance could be on the cards. Mike Entwistle returning from injury took a high ball after 3 minutes, charged forward 35m evading 3 or 4 would be tacklers, offloaded to the ‘trucking’ Will Kay who made another 10m offloaded out the tackle to another injury comeback in the shape of Joni Hare who powered over from 7m for the first try of the day.
Martin converted to put Muir up 7-0. 15mins into the game and Hawks gave a silly penalty away after Muir attacked from deep again. The forwards won ruck after ruck then the Hawks pack killed the ball to allow Martin to make it 10-0.
Hawks finally realised that they were here to play and not spectate and put some good phase play together and on the Muir 10m line the strong running centre burst through a poor tackle and got front foot ball. Good scramble defence saw them brought down but 2 quick rucks and a powerful drive from the base saw Hawks get a converted try.10-7 and game on.
Once again Mur hit back and worked hard to get to the Hawks 5m line on the 30min mark. A few phases of pick and go saw Hawks defence sucked in and a great pass from Hamilton at 9 hitting the hard working Walker with a miss pass saw him dive over in the corner.
Martin could not convert.
Muir were in true form now and 3 mins later we saw Muirs try of the game with the forwards making yards after link play with the stalwart Clapperton in midfield. Hare running at pace and enthusiasm we hope the rest of the squad can come to emulate took a pass off Hamilton, who hopes to secure and under 20s place this week and on this form deserves a shot at the title.
Hare made great hard yards turning the defence. Entwistle had the clear-out of the day sending the defender a good 7m backwards and still had the nowse to latch onto the thundering Wallace to help him over the line to take the points to 20-7.
Angus’ 12yr old brother Max, who was our ‘guest coach’ for the day, told us he never saw the try and does not want it mentioned at the dinner table!!
Muir were on the attack and 4 mins later the flamboyant Armstrong got ball on his own 22m ran 15m chipped the defender, collected then held onto ball as he was bundled into touch on their 10m line. Hawks secured the lineout then kicked a troubling up and under which the 5ft 8” Chris Rome collected and ran 25m up field evading several Hawks chasers.
Unfortunately the offload did not go to hand so scrum to Hawks with 2mins of the half remaining. The Hawks number 8 picked, fed their 9 who kicked in behind our defenders.
Hawks 10 got to the ball with his foot and kicked for the winger to touch down in the corner. The conversion made it 20-14 at the turn.
A few choice word from the coaches at half time and a reality check from the players themselves saw a good start to the 2nd half. Armstrong running the ball out from a missed penalty kick at goal by Hawks saw him make 40m down the wing. Good support but not quite quick enough and Hawks got the ball back. Both wings were keen to get involved as well as Mconnell at full back who is another player returning from injury with a point to prove. We would like to hear them a little more in attack and that would enable more ball to come their way.
12 minutes in and Entwistle attacked again making 20m then fed the ever present Hare who set up a ruck and from that the rampaging Scott Rogers hit a great line to go over for his first try for Boroughmuir. I am sure the beers will be bought soon for that!
Martin converted to take the score to 27-14 but Hawks were not going to lose quietly. Most of the remaining 25 mins were spent in our own half with only a few entries into Hawks territory. With 7 mins to go Hawks powered over after some excellent play in their forwards.
Muir were driven back and eventually the gap appeared and Hawks were 6 points shy of a win. They pounded us for the last few minutes throwing everything but the kitchen sink at us but some robust defence and great determination saw us eventually turn the ball over and the final whistle came.
Final score was 27-21 which was probably a fair result as we felt that we played the better flowing rugby but Hawks were never going to give up. They got a bonus losing point and maybe deserved a try bonus too which we got the along with the win. It was good to see returning players get plenty game time and with the likes of Entwistle, Hare, Tarry, Kay, Clapperton and Mcconnell all fit we may see our first team prosper too. Also young rising stars and consistent performers such as Armstrong and Rome in the backs and Millar and Walker in the pack will hopefully keep the first team players honest and push them harder to hold their place.
Next week is a cup game against Biggar and what we hope to be the start of the cup winning run for the Magic 2s
In other scores:
U18 Colts won 47-19 over Royal High.
Well done all!
