Feb
01
Meggetland men win local derby
Match report by Morgane Jarles
Photos by Dave Patterson
Boroughmuir Rugby defeated top of the league rivals Watsonians 13-6 at Myreside this Saturday, in very difficult weather conditions. Alex Cox scored the only try of the match in the first half. David Reekie and Craig Marshall both scored a penalty in the second half.
The game was contested right from the start, with the Watsonians putting pressure in the ruck therefore forcing Boroughmuir to kick for clearance. After a good catch by Jack Ferguson, the hosts attacked the line and displayed strong lineouts. After they knocked the ball on, Boroughmuir gained a penalty at the scrum.
However, after a contested lineout, the ball went back to the Watsonians. The Meggetland men soon benefited from a turnover and constructed an outstanding maul. There were good hits in attack notably by Cal Davies, and Muir gained a penalty at a ruck, taking the ball further up.
There was good communication at the back especially between Alex Cox and Craig Marshall. The Watsonians conceded a penalty but David Reekie missed it. Muir kept putting pressure on their opponents and gained a scrum on the 5–meter line. The Watsonians replied with a good clearance kick, and their lineouts were still going well.
Michael Ker took skilful steps into the defensive line, making ground. After Ali Leadingham missed what looked like a drop goal attempt, Muir conceded a penalty in front of the posts. Michael Ker kicked it through the woodwork, allowing his side to take the lead on the scoreboard (3-0).
Boroughmuir briefly regained possession but there was a forward pass at the centre. The Watsonians backline then showed good intentions but there was also a knock on, the muddy pitch not being ideal to play on. Andy Rose did an excellent pick up at the following scrum, and there were well-executed passes at the back with Alex Cox taking the ball in.
He offloaded to Greig Scott, and the Meggetland men organised good pick and go phases. Boroughmuir made it close to the try line but the Watsonians regained possession and Matt Page kicked for clearance after a clever switch between him and Michael Ker.
Boroughmuir displayed a good offensive maul after winning the following lineout. Muir was once again close to the try line but the Watsonians forwards worked hard in defence and regained possession. The hosts soon gained a penalty after good go-forward play, successfully kicked by Michael Ker (6-0).
This was followed by an excellent line break by Ben Di Rollo, but Alex Cox intercepted the ball and raced away to touchdown between the posts. David Reekie added the extra points (6-7). With only 2 minutes left in the first half, Boroughmuir kept their hands on the ball and there were good hits notably by Robby Wilson but the Watsonians benefited from a turnover and kicked the ball into touch (HT 6-7).
There was much more intensity after the restart. Andy Rose was in for another good pick up at a scrum and he broke through. Jordan Edmunds also worked well, putting a lot of pressure on Rory Steele after a clever chip kick. Despite playing in Watsonians territory, the Meggetland men conceded a penalty. Ker was unable to find a lineout so Iain Moody took the ball back up and David Reekie’s boot brought Muir closer to the try line.
The Watsonians won the lineout and made ground thanks to an outstanding maul. Muir was excellent in defence and benefited from a turnover, and there was good communication between Andy Rose and Alex Cox who both made ground. Boroughmuir was awarded a penalty 40 meters away from the posts, and Craig Marshall’s huge kick allowed his side to take 3 more points (6-10).
Watsons then had possession of the ball and Alex Cox was close to another interception but the referee indicated a knock on. Niall Dennis burst through after the following scrum. Boroughmuir worked hard in defence. Rory Steele put pace on the ball but Muir regained possession after a knock on. It was pouring rain, hence confusion and handling mistakes in the Muir attacking line, but the Meggetland men gathered themselves and the forwards worked really well on the fringes, building it up towards the try line.
Boroughmuir gained a penalty, successfully kicked by David Reekie (6-13). The last few minutes of the game were then really tense, with the Watsonians close to scoring what would have been the try for the victory. They strongly built their way up the pitch against the rain. Muir fiercely defended their try line before regaining possession and making it to the other end of the pitch one last time. However, they conceded a penalty, giving Watsonians one more chance to attack. Boroughmuir came out victorious as time was running out (full time 6-13).
Boroughmuir takes 4 points out of this game and is now well ahead in the league table, with 11 points ahead of Watsonians who are still second after Stewart’s Melville drew 10-10 in Dundee.
See more photos from the game on our Flickr page here.
At Myreside, Saturday 1st February 2014, KO 3pm
Referee: Daniel Shaw (ERRS)
Touch judges: Don McPherson and Stephen Hart
Score evolution: 3-0, 6-0, 6-7 (HT), 6-10, 6-13.
Boroughmuir: 1 try (Cox 38’), 1 conversion (Reekie 38’), 2 penalties (Marshall 55’, Reekie 74’)
Watsonians: 2 penalties (Ker 14’ & 35’)
Boroughmuir: 15.Craig Marshall, 14. Ross Bradford, 13.Alex Cox, 12. Stevie Wilson, 11. Jordan Edmunds, 10. David Reekie, 09. Johnny Adams; 01. Robbie Wilson, 02. Cal Davies, 03. Jonny Latta, 04. Greig Scott, 05. Adam Best, 06. Joni Hare, 08. Ian Moody, 07. Andy Rose (capt). Subs: 16.Roddy MacKenzie, 17.Scott Laird, 18.Trent Sutton, 19.Will Kay, 20. Sam Johnson
Watsonians: 15. Ali Leadingham, 14. Rory Steele, 13. Ben Di Rollo, 12. Ross Aitken, 11. Jack Ferguson, 10.Michale Ker, 09. Matthew Page; 01. Martin Christie, 02. Matthew Brierley, 03. James Forrester, 04. Mark Rennie, 05. Clarke Smith, 06. Joe Jones, 07. Ewan Miller, 08. Niall Dennis. Subs: 16. Alex Ross, 17. Tom Gracie, 18. John Leiataua, 19. Chris Scott, 20. Ramsay Young.
