Apr
27
Boroughmuir S1 - 28 : 11 Ayr S1
After a close & competitive game when we visited Ayr back in December, we were expecting much of the same again for the return game. This was good preparation for the upcoming Tour to Bishops Stortford next weekend. Both teams were a bit short of players due to some call-offs and even at 13 aside there were only a couple of replacements to use.
Ayr started off the stronger in the first period and had the most of the territory but Muir tackled well and held the line firm . Ayr eventually managed to break the deadlock and this seemed to give Muir the much needed spark to bring them back in to the game. A long range try brought the scores level before Muir took the lead right at the end of the period. A lot of the rucking from Ayr was excellent with good strong body positions and did mean Muir had to improve in this area for the rest of the game. (7 - 4)
The second period was much better for Muir and they were more competitive at the breakdowns. A couple of forced changes in positions didn't hinder the boys and with some determined play managed to cross the Ayr line for a couple of tries whilst keeping Ayr from crossing ours. (14 - 4)
The Final Period probably saw Ayr suffer more than Muir with lack of replacements although the quality of rugby was still great from both teams. Muir made more of the chances scoring 4 tries to 2. A good performance from Muir after a bit of a slow start and a well earned win against a very good Ayr team. (28 - 11)
Credit to both teams for the commitment and way they played they both wanted to play rugby.
We are now looking forward to our first Tour and also wish Ayr all the best for their Tour to Dublin next week.
Boroughmuir P5 Mini Rugby: Currie Tournament - Match Report
After a month long break for Easter, this was the first time the team had been back together for a while. Playing a two pool format, saw us play Currie Blacks, Perthshire and Stewarts Melville Lions in the pool stage. The first game was against Currie and the team played really well, setting up a good lead that they maintained for both halves. The second game saw us take on Perthshire. This was an altogether different prospect. With both teams giving everything, Perthshire edged ahead in what was a robust game. The third game, against Stew Mel, saw the boys back on form, and notched up a well won victory.
This set up a semi final against the other Currie team, which was another great team effort and saw a good lead built up in the first half that was protected to the end, setting up a final against Perthshire.
The boys had given their all to get to the final, and now a couple of players down from a full squad, the impact of the games was taking its toll. They boys played with a lot of heart in the final against Perthshire, but they were simply stronger, taking the victory with a flurry of tries in the end.
We wanted to celebrate Conor's birthday with a win, but it wasn't to be. The lesson learned is that playing a tournament after a month off is not the best preparation. Next time...
Boroughmuir P7 Mini Rugby: Marr Tournament - Match Report
So we all arrived at a sunny Malleny Park on Sunday for the Currie Tournament. We've never have an easy time at Malleny Park and with the absence of a full squad, this was not going to be any exception! The format was to be a 'round robin', where we would play Currie Amber, Currie Black, Ayr, Sunderland, Stew Mel Lions and Biggar.
Our first match was against Currie Amber. Any match with Currie is usually a well contested game, and this was no different, especially as we were lacking both of our fast wing men! Time for some
of that Muir fighting spirit! The match was close in all of the usual hot spots but Muir managed to put two scores past a spirited Currie side and also keep a clean sheet! 2 - 0 win!
Our next match drew us up against Ayr. Ayr have obviously had their players sleeping in the greenhouse, but recently they've been playing some good rugby, so another tough match in store.
This time we managed to bolster our squad to 12! The players did a good and played some good rugby, offloading with confidence to run in two well worked tries. However, Ayr's fast men caught us on the hop, and stuck two simple tries in by running with pace down the wings. 2 - 2 draw.
Next up was Sunderland, a new team for us and the tournament. Although Sunderland played some decent rugby Muir managed to out-gun them in most aspects of the game, taking the ball through
the middle to score some good tries. 5 - 0 win!
Our fourth game was against Currie Black, who were clearly up for the game. Again a very tough and close game between two evenly matched sides, with some good rugby being played by both sides.
However, Currie managed to get the ball to their speedy wing, who ran away from us for three good tries. A consolation try meant a 3 - 1 loss.
Our fifth match drew us along side a strong Stew Mel LIons side. This match was about damage limitation. We knew how Stew Mel were going to play and we knew our defence had to try and stop them.
Too many fast Lions players for us to stop, but we kept our heads high and fought hard where we could, playing some decent rugby. Overall we matched them easily up front and held them to a 1 - 0 deficit at half time, but the slick passing and running of the Lions players saw them run in three well worked tries to give them a win. 4 - 0 loss.
With nothing to lose in the last match the players relaxed to take on a good Bigger side. Muir started off well and played some good running rugby, with good support play allowing us to score some well
worked tries. The defence kept strong to come away with an 8 - 0 win.
This win put us in the draw for the third/fourth play off place against Ayr. This was a different match to our first one with them. Muir came out firing on all four cylinders. The players came together and put
together some good periods of both attacking and defensive play. Passing and support allowed us to score four good tries and our high quality tackling limited the Ayr side to only two tries to give us the
win. 4 - 2 win, and third place.
A tough day for all the players, but they responded well and came away with the third place. A big well done to Daniel, Sonny, Luke, Stuart, Finlay S, Finlay H, Douglas, Callum, Innes, Lewis, Akira and Olivia, who got her first score in a tournament - well done to everyone for not giving up in the face of some serious competition and continuing to play good rugby! Thanks to Currie for providing another challenging tournament and thank you to all the parents who turned up to support. Next up, the Preston Lodge tournament!
