Sep
15
Match report by Gill Lothian
Could it be magic now….now, now the squad is strong…… That was the question but Melrose were the ones that said ‘Take That’ to the Magic Boroughmuir 2s as with only 4 mins on the clock they pounced on a poor pass from the Muir backs, kicked on and gathered then in two phases swept the ball to the opposite side of the pitch where the ball reached their winger who scored in the corner.
It was not converted but it showed that this young Melrose 2nds team had potential and a willingness to play free flowing rugby.
Throughout the first 10 minutes of the game the Melrose pack fought hard at breakdowns to release their pacey backs. Tom Galbraith at 10 for Melrose made a few breaks and ensured that our inside backs did not fly out too quickly. He then released their fats men who did gain yardage but never crossed the whitewash.
11 mins in and a up and under from the Melrose 9 saw Frank gather, feed Ian Martin at 15 who attacked with vigour.
The forwards who not only handled well all day but covered the field like a swarm of locusts hungry for work got to the breakdown and produced quick ball for Craig Hunter to dance through a gap, only to be tackled by the Melrose 15.
The ball again was played quickly by Sam Johnson releasing the backs with the thundering Will Kay, just back from injury, receiving on the wing only to be tackled into touch just short.
Unfortunately that was his last foray as he damaged his medial ligament so it’s the rehab room for WK once more.
Matt Walker ably replaced him. 3 mins later after a clearance from 9 we attack through the backs once more. Hunter dancing through again with Joni Hare on hand, after two great offloads, to touch down and Blackhall to convert.
7-5 and the sun seemed warmer all of a sudden. Melrose certainly tried hard to break us down and attacked well through 10-12 channel but our scramble was good and the forwards were quick to slow ball down.
The experience we had was starting to show in the scrum and ruck but we still tried too hard to get our hands on the ball and a penalty ensued. With Hare being pushed from behind and accidentally kicking the ball it put Melrose in a position to kick 3 points which they did.
24 mins in and some great handling in the backs again and especially by Yawayawa saw Muir enter their 5 metre line but a silly knock on gave them the scrum. The pack pushed, the hooker hooked the ball came our way for Captain Ally McLeod to drop over the ,line for 5 points.
GB missing the extras.
12- 8 up and in the ascendancy but would Melrose sit down, no was the answer but once again our pack stole ball and with a great offload from Craig Hunter on the 2nd phase to Adam MacFarlane we saw more yardage in to the Melrose half. MacFarlane made some great runs throughout this game and his power in the scrum got us some good steady ball.
That aligned with Matt Walker in his trade mark turnover mood saw him steel ball, Sam Johnson move it and the backs handle well for the majority of the next 50 minutes.
Unfortunately Melrose turned us over on good few occasions but our experience saw us stop them breaching our line too often. Other more worldly wise teams may have capitalised. With half time looming and a wee game of aerial ping pong being played by the girls in the backs Frank got his hands on the ball and attacked with a vengeance.
He hit Martin who offloaded nicely to Hare who put Darren Millar through a gap only to be held up over the line. From the 5m scrum hare dotted down an easy 5 pointer. Blackhall adding 2 more to go into the half 19-8 up and well ahead in style points.
Coaches pleased in the huddle but asking for more of the same. Better first up leg tackles and certainly less turnovers.
Melrose again came out all guns blazing and pressured us into a dropped pass followed by a missed tackle on the wing. They then hit us in the 15m area and turned ball over, throwing the ball wide for the winger to dot down with 9mins gone.
Not the start we wanted and possibly some lethargy setting in. Another silly error in not kicking the ball 10 metres from the restart saw us lose more ground. Luckily we had the ever vigilant Walker to pounce on ball and make a lovely break through the centre. From the ensuing ruck Johnson saw a gap and sniped through to score under the sticks.
GB made it 26-15 and the game was won.
Changes were made with 20 odd mins left and with Walker stealing another ball and the handling once again impeccable Ian Martin dived over for an unconverted try. It was Frank’s turn next, latching onto a lovely pass from Reekie he stepped insdie his winger, through the scrum half and sped past the full back for a well-deserved try.
Reekie converted. With 9 mins to go Melrose gave away a silly penalty on their own 10m line.
Hamilton as lively as ever took the quick tap, had a wee dart then fed Joni Hare for the score. That was not the end of the scoring though and with the kick off they turned over ball, moved it wide quickly and skipped in at the corner to end the game 43-22.
All in all a great game to watch as both teams played free and fast flowing rugby.
The referee it has to be said had a very good game and allowed the guys to play.
Melrose were a young outfit but I think they will grow as the season progresses they just need to show a little ‘Patience’.
The Magic 2s however have started that climb upwards although it may not be their ‘Greatest Day’ it will be an interesting selection process for next week.
Still a bit of fitness required for some, tackling practice for others and presentation skills in the tackle for most. Coaches happy with the score line and ‘Pray’ that the good times are ‘Back for Good’?
Final Score 43-22 to Muir
2nds Squad:
1. Dan O'Connell
2. Darren Miller
3. Angus Wallace
4. Adam McFarlane
5. Will Kay
6. Joni Hare
7. Neil Rodger
8. Ally McLeod
9. Sam Johnston
10. Graham Blackhall
11. Frank Yawa Yawa
12. David Reekie
13. Mark Hare
14. Craig Hunter
15. Iain Martin
16. Stuart Clark
17. Richard Marshall
18.John Hamblin
19. Matt Walker
20. Jack Hamilton
21. Chris Rome
Next Game: Aberdeen Grammar (H) 20th Sept.
