Aug
02
Magic 2's v Watsonians - August 26th
Cracking day at Meggetland, weather and wind excellent for free-flowing rugby.
Watsons walked out looking like a big strong team, but failed to utilise that size in the first half. They did, however, manage a try off a lineout 30m out when very poor defence by B'muir let the big back rower run in from one side of the pitch across the whole back line to score on the other side.
The game, however, started well for 'Muir with young Mikey Wilson kicking a cracker to the corner but after 3 or 4 attempts to drive over 'Muir could not convert it into points.
Hooker Cal Davies, back from a stint in New Zealand, looked like he wanted to impress and certainly did with some strong runs and steady passing. The scrum held up well, and lineouts were good; with Conor Henderson at scrum half controlling well.
However, although the shape was good as a whole Boroughmuir could not penetrate the Watsons flat defence.
Many times they broke through, but silly individual errors prevailed and the ball was turned over. We had asked for ball not to be kicked away, as it is pre-season and working on team shape would do us well in the long run. This may have meant we tired a little more, but the boys stuck in well and looked in fine form.
2nd half and 7-0 down but the slight wind should have helped propel us forward. Unfortunately, Watsons started to find their rhythm and pounced on a good kick from Greg Alexander in the centre who had some barnstorming runs.
The Watsons back three collected the ball, ran back and again - through some poor individual tackles - sent it to the wing and in they went for number 2. Boroughmuir stuck in but kept turning over ball and allowing the big Watson pack to get up a head of steam and after 20mins they drove over for number 3.
Their fourth try came the same way with a couple of drives turning our defence and tiredness had set in to the Muir legs by now.
All in all a good run out with some excellent team shape and sole at time brilliant individual line breaks. Notable big Andy Clark and Cal Davies in the forwards and Greg Alexander, Conor Henderson, Jack Hamilton and Thomas Barker in the backs. Arran Wilson once again pestered the opposition but a poor refereeing decision, which the coaches made known they were unhappy about, saw him yellow carded.
Finally, Lewis 'Mousey' Robinson put in a storming captain's performance once again.
Let's look forward to the start of the league next week and some tough selection decisions for all three teams.
Report Written by Hairy Pinkcoat
