Oct
22
Forrester 2nd XV 18 : Boroughmuir Bears 34
The Boroughmuir Bears made the short trip to Forrester’s looking to avenge the pre-season hammering they received in August. The Bears are a much improved side now but were still underdogs going into the match.
The Bears were able to field a strong side and welcomed back hooker Ross Smith for the first time this season. In the backs, a late call up to the 2nds for Aaron Maguire meant an SOS call was made by Coach Kev to ex-Muir fitness coach Andy Muir, who duly filled the number 12 shirt.
The first half was far from a classic, with the referee stamping his mark all over the game with countless penalties against both sides. The Bears profited from one of the home sides misdemeanours, and stand-off Chris Evans converted a penalty to take an early lead.
Forrester soon struck back with a penalty kick of their own and late on in the half scored the opening try. The Bears were on the attack in their own half and the ball was moved through the midfield to full-back Frank. He unfortunately saw his pass to wing Chris O’Neill intercepted by the Forrester left wing, who sprinted to score in the corner. The try went unconverted.
The Bears had their own opportunities to score and even made it over the try line, only for the score to be spectacularly botched. A good scrum from five metres out, allowed number 8 Andy Hood to pick up, brush off some would-be defenders and flop over for the try. Unfortunately he failed at the last part and fumbled the ball. No try and the Bears went in at half-time 8-3 down.
The Bears were disappointed with their first half performance and were subject to some tough words from Coach Kev and Ed, as well as Director of pre-match speeches Gordon Laidlaw. An injured Andy Clark was replaced by the Graeme “T” Rex in the second row. Evans and Derek Murray switched half-back positions at the break also.
An early penalty from Evans, clawed back at the Forrester lead and for the next half-an hour the Bears were well on top.
The rucking in particular was much more accurate and this was allowing the half-backs to get quick ball and release the speedy outside backs. After a forgetful first half, Frank the Fijian tank, was in scorching form with ball in hand. He scored the Bears first try, from the half-way using his pace and power to score an excellent individual effort. The try was converted and the Bears were back in front.
This score was soon followed by another. The forwards were playing really well as a unit now and T-Rex in particular was making a real impact off the bench. However, a moment of brilliance from blindside Richard “Titch” Marshall saw the Bears further extend their lead. Titch broke free with ten metres to the try line but between him and the try-line was a wing and full-back to beat. With a swivel of the hips and a dummy to himself, honed no doubt from hours of practice at Kelso’s Poynder Park, he left both Forrester defenders clasping at air as he sauntered in under the posts.
Normal service resumed for the next two tries with the backs scoring both. Chris Whitelock was on the end of a break from Frank and he finished in some style again under the posts, making another conversion a formality.
The bonus point try came soon after and again it was the good work of the forwards that set-up the platform for the backs. Veteran Derek Murray was having a great second half and it was his break that secured the fourth try. This time he was clear through from the Forrester ten-metre line and looked to have the legs to go all the way. However, he seemed to run into that quick sand that all 30 year old plus players get caught up in and unselfishly off loaded to the significantly younger Frank who touched down for his second score.
Forrester finished strongly and their number 8 scored on the stroke of full-time. The conversion made the final score 34-18 to the Bears.
The second half performance showcased what Bears rugby is all about, quick rucks and good handling to allow the talented speedy backs room to do their stuff. The forwards set the platform in the second half and to a man they all played their part. Man of the match as decided by @bears_rugby was Titch “for being an all round belligerent sod”.
The Dick of the day award went to Andy Hood for his epic try scoring fail in the first half. Despite being concussed in the second half after a nasty clash with his opposite number, the DotD committee showed Hoody no mercy and he went home with Arthur Bear.
The Bears welcome table toppers Jed-Forest to Meggetland this Saturday, looking to build on a great second half of rugby against Forrester.
Tries: Frank Yawayawe (2), Richard Marshall, Chris Whitelock. Cons: Evans (4), Pens: Evans (2)
15. Frank Yawayawe, 14. Elliot Wynn-Higgins, 13. Chris Whitelock, 12. Andy Muir, 11. Chris O’Neill, 10. Chris Evans, 9. Derek Murray, 8. Andy Hood, 7. Roy Stewart, 6. Richard Marshall, 5. Andy Clark, 4. Rod Hutchison (c), 3. Richard Robson, 2. Ross Smith, 1. Andrew Wildgoose
Replacements: Connor O’Hagan, Graham Rex, Charles Campbell
