Mar
17
Boroughmuir 1st XV 14 Stirling County 1st XV 34
Boroughmuir lost their last away game of the season on the disappointing score of 34-14 this Saturday at a cold and dreich Bridgehaugh. Keen to finish on a strong note, Muir were unable to stop high-flying Stirling County, who was seeking to avoid the relegation play-offs and reach the top 4, thereby qualifying for next season’s British and Irish Cup.
County set the tone from the start of the game with captain Alex Moffat scoring an
unconverted try 4 minutes into the game after a strong forward drive (5-0). Muir enjoyed good possession following that try, without managing to go penetrate the gain line. After a turnover to Stirling, Muir conceded a penalty, allowing Stirling centre Brian Archibald to add 3 more points (8-0) to the homesters’ lead.
Building on possession phases, Boroughmuir unfortunately gave away a penalty 5 metres out following well-organised forward play and good lineouts. Stirling replied with clever backline moves and offensive mauls which resulted in a second unconverted try by Addison who benefited from defensive slip-ups (13- 0).
Stirling starved Muir of ball and displayed great execution when winger Byron McGuigan found space in the Muir defence and scored another try, converted by Archibald (20-0). Muir replied with outstanding line breaks by Keith Buchan and Harry Fenton but despite those efforts were unable to trouble the scoreboard before half-time (HT 20-0).
The visitors seemed to come back stronger in the second half with committed forward efforts. However, the unfortunate Rory Scott was forced to leave the pitch after a nasty collision with full-back Jonnie Hope. This was followed by excellent forward drives up the blind side concluding with a battling touchdown by Neil Rodger, converted by Warnock (20-7).
Stirling came back but Muir defended stoutly until Archibald took advantage of a gap in the defence and converted his own try (27-7). Stirling continued to produce good phased attacks, interrupted by a fine interception by Jordan Edmunds who raced away and scored between the posts. Warnock added the extra points (27-14). Stirling remained in control until the final whistle, adding a final nail in Muir’s coffin with a try by Tim Clarke, converted by Archibald (34-14).
Stirling deserved their win – they adapted better to the horrendous weather conditions and were able to pressurise Boroughmuir for most of the game. Muir showed huge defensive commitment but this was not enough to build more than the few attacking phases they produced. The amount of injury time certainly didn’t help with Rory Scott, captain Jamie Swanson and Greig Scott all forced to leave the pitch. Hopefully Muir will enjoy a brighter outcome next week in the last game of the season at home against Accies.
Referee: Gary Gordon
Score evolution: 5-0, 8-0, 13-0, 20-0, 20-7, 27-7, 27-14, 34-14.
Stirling County: 5 tries (Moffat 4’, Addison 25’, McGuigan 34’, Archibald 56’, Clarke 79’), 3 conversions (Archibald 34’, 56’), 1 penalty (Archibald 10’).
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Boroughmuir: 2 tries (Rodger48’, Edmunds 66’), 2 conversions (Warnock 48’, 66’).
Boroughmuir: 15.Robert Cairns, 14. Ross Bradford, 13.Keith Buchan, 12. Stevie Wilson,11.Jordan Edmunds, 10. Graham Blackhall, 09.Ally Warnock; 01. Nick Fraser, 02. Greg Jones, 03. Jonny Latta, 04. Greig Scott, 05. Ally Davidson, 06. Ali McLeod, 07. Neil Rodger 08. Jamie Swanson (capt.)
Subs: Paul Richards, Jackson Achilles, Harry Fenton, Rory Scott.
Stirling County: 15.Jonnie Hope, 14. Byron McGuigan, 13. Danny Gilmour, 12. Brian Archibald, 11. Ben Addison, 10 Stuart Edwards, 09. Colin Turnbull; 01. Mike McDonald, 02.Alex Moffat (capt.), 03. Garry Mountford, 04. Struan Robertson, 05. Craig Deacons, 06. Tim Clarke, 07. Robbie Boswell, 08.Bengy Barsanti. Subs: 16. Colin Hutton, 17. Josh Forrester, 18. Sean MacDonald, 19. Chris Faill, 20.Robbie Hogg.
