Sep
24
Haddington 2nd XV 43 - Boroughmuir Bears 25
On Saturday the Boroughmuir Bears travelled to East Lothian to play their first Reserve League East 1 match versus Haddington 2nds. With the performances in the three pre-season games improving each week, confidence within the Bears coaches and squad was high.
For the first time this season the Bears were able to field a front-row, thanks to the return of hooker Kyle Mackinnon, Kelso-born prop Richard Marshall and debutant Connor O’Hagan. This allowed captain Rod Hutchison to take his usual place in the boiler house, alongside another Bear’s stalwart Andy Clark ,who had in the previous two weeks been on 2nd XV duty. The backline looked strong and featured last weeks try scoring stars, Aaron Maguire, Greg Alexander, Ewan Gaskell and Calum Brockie.
The Bears fired out of the blocks and in the space of five minutes found themselves 6-0 up, thanks to two penalty kicks from Chris Evans. A third penalty went begging shortly after and Haddington soon were able to get some decent possession. Some Bears indiscipline led to a quick few penalties being conceded, from which a clever kick down the centre of the field from the home sides stand-off, saw their openside gather a tricky bounce and score under the posts. The try was converted and a couple of penalties from Haddington stretched their lead.
However, midway through the first half a fine break by Bears inside centre Maguire, took him into the opposition twenty-two and he drew the Haddington full-back to put the supporting Justin Tito in for a great try.
The accurate goal kicking of the Haddington number ten meant the home side were able to put some breathing space between them and the Bears. Nevertheless, the Bears looked dangerous with ball in hand, with Gaskell, Brockie and Alexander linking well on a number of occasions.
On the stoke of half-time the Bears came away with a well deserved try from Andy Clark, after a patient build up of phases. A wide pass from a ruck, five metres from the Haddingtom try-line, was taken by Clark who showed a good couple of side steps to score under the posts. With the try converted, the Bears took an 18-16 lead, into the interval.
The Bears had played the better rugby in the first half but were guilty of giving away some cheap penalties through lazy runners and also arguing with the referee. Coaches Kev Robertson and Ed Zuiderent, encouraged the team to improve the discipline and carry on the attacking style of play.
Much like in the previous weeks friendly against Watsonians, the Bears were not able to reach the same standards of play in the second half. Haddington were the fitter and more disciplined side and scored four tries to the Bears one in the final forty minutes. Richard Marshall was the try scorer for the Bears but the try bonus point proved elusive to the Bears.
Unfortunately, the Bears lost winger Greg Alexander to a dislocated knee in the second half. The youngster had been the stand out back for the Bears and was unlucky not to score a try in the first half. Everyone involved at the club wishes him a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him return to the field later in the season.
Although, the second half was disappointing from a team perspective, there were some good individual performances. As an early replacement in the first half, Jo Whitworth had a solid all round game and is a key link man for the Bears. In the backs Ewan Gaskell looks to be approaching his potential, with some great handling and tough tackling. It was also pleasing to see another debut for the Bears in the shape of He-Man lookalike Adam Bucko. The big wing did not get much chance to show his ability in his second-half cameo but few wingers in the league will rival his size and he could prove a useful weapon for the Bears.
In the end, Haddington ran out deserved winners 43-25. The Bears have lots to work on this week in training, mainly fitness but the whole squad look forward to putting in a winning performance at home, against Lasswade 2nds.
Tries: Justin Tito, Andy Clark, Richard Marshall. Conv: Evans (2). Pens: Evans (2)
Dick of the Day: Chris Evans for having a hissy-fit at the ref and throwing the ball away, conceding ten metres for the Bears! At his age he should know better!
1.Connor O’Hagan 2. Kyle Mackinnon 3. Richard Marshall, 4 Rod Hutchison (capt). 5. Andy Clark, 6. Justin Tito, 7. Roy Stewart, 8. Andy Hood, 9. Derek Murray, 10. Chris Evans, 11. Greg Alexander, 12. Aaron Maguire, 13. Ewan Gaskell, 14. Chris O’Neill, 15. Calum Brockie
Replacements: Luke Worthington, Adam Bucko, Chaz Campbell, Graeme Rix, Jo Whitworth, Blair Calder
