Mar
08
By Chris Evans
Currie 2nd XV 11 - Boroughmuir 2nd XV 22
After suffering a crushing defeat at the hands of city rivals Edinburgh Accies last weekend, Boroughmuir 2nds looked to get their season back on track away to Currie 2nds. A Friday evening kick-off meant the game was played under the floodlights at Malleny Park and even though the rain has been heavy throughout the day, the ground conditions looked good for some open rugby.
The magic 2’s fielded a strong pack, that included for the first time this season, veteran prop Billy Blyth. Due to injuries and promotions to the first squad the backs were forced into playing half backs Harry Fenton and Chris Evans on the wings. The team was again captained from the centre by Rory Scott.
Currie enjoyed the majority of possession and territory for the opening quarter of the match, due in part to poor discipline from ‘Muir which saw them penalised persistently at the break-down. Luckily for ‘Muir though it only cost them three points from the boot of the Currie scrum-half.
Mid-way through the first half, ‘Muir made the breakthrough. A probing kick behind the ‘Muir defence was fielded in the twenty-two by Rory Scott, who beat two defenders with quick feet and set off up the field. Kiwi flanker Richie Battson supported Scott well and took the ball into the Currie twenty-two, drew the full-back and passed to his fellow back-rower Greg Jones who showed a clean pair of heels to touch down under the posts for a superb score. Stand-off Graeme Blackhall added the conversion.
The 2nds, however, continued to give away too many penalties and Currie took advantage of this when they scored a try of their own through their big pack. The try went unconverted but they added another penalty kick shortly after. Blackhall hit back with a kick of his own shortly before half-time, which made the score 11-10 to Currie.
The ‘Muir coaches Neil McCallum and Andy Knight were not best pleased with the first half performance, which saw ‘Muir concede ten penalties and turn over ball too easily in contact. An improved performance was needed to ensure that ‘Muir would come out victorious at the end of the game.
The 2nds did start well and exerted some good pressure on the Currie defence. Ally Macleod and replacement lock Lynton Brinck carried the ball well and gave the backs some crucial quick ball that allowed centre Richie Sievwright to break the gain-line. A break from his centre partner, Scott was crucial in the run up to the second try for ‘Muir. He took play into the Currie twenty-two and some good support play by the forwards allowed Stu Clark to finish off a great team try.
Soon after ‘Muir were back in the Currie half and with a line-out close to the try line, a forwards special was on the cards! A safe take by Aaron Iddins allowed the forwards to set up a rolling maul which inevitably led to a score for super sub Ross Young. The try was converted by Blackhall.
The 2nds looked for the bonus point try but good defence by Currie meant that ‘Muir had to settle in the end for a 22-11 victory. Nevertheless, this was a morale boosting victory for the Magic 2’s after two consecutive defeats. With five fixtures still to play, the season is far from over for ‘Muir and although winning the league seems a bridge too far, second place is within reach and would be a good reward for the efforts of the squad and coaches.
15.Stuart Currie, 14. Chris Evans, 13. Rory Scott, 12. Richie Sievwright, 11. Harry Fenton, 10. Graeme Blackhall, 9. Cammy Leask, 8. Liam Black, 7. Greg Jones, 6. Richie Battson 5. Aaron Iddins, 4. Ally Macleod 3. Billy Blyth, 2. Stu Clark, 1. Paul Richards
Replacements: Ross Young, Liam Mitchell, Jo Whitworth, Lynton Brinck, Andrew Wildgoose
