Nov
28
Macth Report Craig Dawson
Photos by Dave Patterson
A Melrose Official commented that this was the smallest Boroughmuir team he had ever see line up against them. What Muir gave away in physical size they made up with by the size of their hearts in what tuned out to the mother of all comebacks.
The gloom of the day was brightened up by the Melrose teams day glow yellow strips and it was those yellow strips that were buzzing about in a first half which Melrose dominated.
Muir went behind to a Joe Helps penalty after 5 minutes and continual Melrose pressure resulted in line out catch and drive with second rower Lewis Carmichael getting the touch down which Helps converted to give them a 0-10 lead.
The Muir pack which was giving away a huge amount of bulk to their Melrose opponents and were being driven off the ball and just could not get any go ahead ball despite trying their best to compete. Melrose went further ahead after 35 minutes when full pack Fraser Thompson went over in the corner for an unconverted try to make the score 0-15 then right on half time they were awarded a penalty which Helps kicked to make the half time score 0-18.
Muir could well have been further behind such was the Melrose domination of both territory and possession but they stuck in and good defence kept the score down. Melrose started the second half strongly and almost scored immediately but winger Joe Helps was forced in touch just short of the line by a try saving tackle by Muir scrum half Robbie Smith.
A tackle which would turn out to be a match winner and it sparked the Muir revival. Muir made two crucial replacements with prop Dale Robertson and second rower Will Kay coming on to bulk up the pack and add some much needed fresh legs.
The impact was immediate with the Muir scrum starting to hold its own the Muir back row were getting a platform to drive ball forward with Callum Reid to the fore. In the backs Mark Hare came on a centre with David Reekie moving to stand off and with the backs now getting some ball a couple of great breaks were made.
Alex Cox picked up a pass from his ankles went round his man and sent Jordan Edmunds in for an unconverted try in the corner to make the score 5-18. The Muir forwards were now right back in the game and were putting pressure on the Melrose line winning a number on penalties which were taken quickly and their persistence paid off with Jordan Edmunds going over from short range for his second try which David Reekie converted to make the score 12-18.
With minutes left Muir piled on the pressure pounding the Melrose line. Melrose were desperately defending but continually infringed with two players yellow carded. Muir pressure finally reaped its reward with Kiwi prop Karl Fury touching down to score with the last move of the match to make the score 17-18.
Meggetland fell silent as David Reekie lined up the crucial conversion with a gale blowing and torrential rain this was no gimme but thankfully he stroked it through the posts to give Muir a famous 19-18 victory and leave Melrose stunned.
This was a performance full of guts spirit and heart none more so than skipper Andy Rose who had to retire injured late in the game. When you consider in the last 10 days he has played three internationals for Zimbabwe and has just returned from Hong Kong his commitment and leadership can only be praised.
We play the two teams below us in the league in the nest two weeks with Selkirk away on Saturday and Gala at home on December 12. Both games will be hard but if we replicate today's second half performance we can go into the Christmas break safely mid table
To see more photos from the game, click here.
The Boroughmuir Magic 2s were not able to get the better of Melrose (2nds) Storm losing 3-30.
Better news for the Boroughmuir Bears winning 47-6 over Edinburgh Accies.
