Sep
02
Forrester 2nd XV 42 – Boroughmuir Bears 15
The Boroughmuir Bears unfortunately lost their friendly match away to a more experienced and match fit Forrester 2nd XV on Saturday.
With a chronic shortage of front row forwards available to the club at present, the match went ahead with uncontested scrums and both sides played without flankers to make it a thirteen-a-side contest. On paper this looked as if it would suit the Bears as they contained five back-rowers in their pack of six, including turn over specialists Myles Skirving and Luke Maidment.
However, Forrester were the stronger starters and opened up with two quick fire tries. The back-line for the Bears contained three young debutants in the shape of inside centre Lee McDonald, winger Cameron Brown and home-grown full-back Callum Bockie. Each one of these players put in good performances on their first start for the club.
Another new addition to the Bears squad, number 8 Neil Kemp, put in a lot of good work in attack and was rewarded with a try in the first half for his efforts. Then shortly before half-time winger Brown, playing his first competitive game of rugby, finished off a sweeping backs move to score in the right-hand corner.
Forrester touched down for another score in the first half and went in at half-time with a 19-10 lead.
The second half saw Forrester’s make a number of changes to their side and the fresh legs ultimately made the difference. The defence in general was okay from the Bears but the sheer amount of possession that the home side enjoyed, meant that eventually they broke through to score a few unanswered tries.
Encouragingly, the Bears were able to welcome some late-comers in the second half, in the form of the two pronged “Goose attack” of Mark Greene and Andrew Wildgoose. The physical presence of Wildgoose in particular injected some much needed go forward for the Bears late in the game. Good work between the forwards and the backs, led to a try from centre Chris Whitelock who cut a good line through the Forrester defence.
The match finished with Forrester running out 42-15 victors.
With the first league match not until 21st September, this served as a good warm-up for the Bears. There is a lot to work on at training, most notably fitness and defensive organisation but the talent is there to have the makings of a good squad. With the Bears now being coached by Kevin Robertson, they have a knowledgeable coach who can hopefully bring out the best in the players.
This weekend the Bears step-up their preparations for the new season with a game against Edinburgh Accies 3rd Xv.
1. Chaz Campbell, 2. Rod Hutchison (capt), 3. Andy Clark, 4. Myles Skirving, 5. Luke Maidment, 6. Neil Kemp, 9. Jimmy Lynch, 10. Chris Evans, 11. Chris O’Neill, 12. Lee McDonald, 13. Chris Whitelock, 14 Cameron Brown, 12. Calum Brockie
Subs Used: Mark Greene, Andrew Wildgoose, Kevin Robertson, Craig
