Feb
23
Boroughmuir 1st XV 5 Heroits 1st XV 37
Boroughmuir had no answer to Heriots 2nd half strong performance going down 37-5. What promised to be an entertaining game and with a good number of supporters from both sides lining the ground, Muir were on track to keep their survival chances alive.
Heriots were strong on attack from the outset and used the width of the field to good effect. It was an early blow to Muir with the loss of Visser and Captain Rose to injury but the replacements did well to maintain the cohesion. Heriots were in control of the first half with some early scores, finding space through and outside the Muir centres.
Muir fought their way back down the field to pick up a well deserved Try to keep the game in reach and going into half time 5-10 down. What resulted in the 2nd half was just a break down in concentration by Muir.
With Heriots finding the Muir centres unable to co-ordinate their defences, gaps started to open up allowing runners to penetrate through the defence. If it was not for the covering defence of the Muir forwards closing down these early breaks the score would have been a lot higher.
A very unfortunate yellow card was issued to Ali Davidson for a debatable infringement at the ruck. The Muir forwards, being lead by Greg Scott, were in control and had the domination in the game, Heriots realising this did well to move the ball away to where their strengths were, in the backs.
As it was last week, this gave the opposition the advantage to put the pressure on Muir by forcing the defence to chase the game. There was some stand out performances by Rob Cairns and Ali Warnock who continued to prove elusive in their attacking rugby, always leading the way on the set plays and counter attack, giving the momentum and confidence when the team needed it.
This unfortunately was not enough to stop the confidence of the Heriots team, running every opportunity and scoring at will. Basic mistakes started to creep in with passes not finding targets or basic "straighten, draw and pass" not being used.
It was a dominant performance from Heriots, something that Muir will need to resolve ahead of the return leg next week at Meggetland.
Boroughmuir 2nds v Heriots 2nds
Boroughmuir 2nd XV lost out to Heriots 2nds on Friday night going down 6-15.
The Bears had no game as Selkirk have called off, but taking the points.
