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Boroughmuir travelled down to Cross Green on
Saturday and after a gruelling five hour coach journey the
kick-off was put back 20 minutes to allow the Edinburgh side
to warm up. It was hardly surprising therefore that the
first half was a disappointing affair with 'Muir always
second best as Otley raced in a 31 - 7 lead at the break.
The nature of the game was signalled as early
as the second minute when the referee had to break up the
first fight of the day and throughout the contest the
whistle was kept fully employed. After a succession of
penalties to the home side their young stand-off first
employed his unerring boot to open up a 3 point lead on six
minutes.
'Muir found it hard to get into the game as
they were unable to secure much set piece possession with
the line-out proving a particular concern. Otley took
advantage of 'Muir's hesitant start and scored two tries in
the first quarter both converted for a 17 - 0 advantage.
There was much concern amongst the travelling support that
the game could get away from 'Muir at this point but a try
at the start of the second quarter steadied the nerves. A
rare clean lineout win saw Ben Fisher drive hard for the
line and when the big No. 8 was stopped inches short prop
forward Freddie Lait was on hand the force his way over for
the score. Bruce Aitchison added the extras.
'Muir's try stung Otley back into action and
almost from the kick-off they scored a fine try to restore
their 17 point lead. Some good defensive work, led by Olly
Brown, kept the home side at bay until three minutes into
first half injury time when Otley extended their lead to 31
- 7 at the break. After such a disappointing first period it
was important that 'Muir got their collective act together
for the second half and so it turned out.
Seven minutes into the half Fergus Pringle
was shown some Yorkshire hospitality with a haymaker to the
eye which left him pouring blood. The referee and touch
judge were unable to identify the culprit and Pringle's
intemperate comments meant he was the player sent to the sin
bin as captain Rory Couper stepped in to calm things down.
With only 14 men on the pitch and the game threatening to
get out of control 'Muir looked in trouble.
From a penalty awarded to Otley after Pringle
was binned they kicked to the corner and drover over for a
fifth converted try and a 38 - 7 lead. That 'Muir refused to
crumble was to their immense credit and led by the
bullocking Ben Fisher they started to wear away at their
opponents.
First James White was held up over the line
then, as the 'Muir pack hammered at the Otley line, one
infringement too many finally snapped the referee's patience
and he awarded a penalty try to the visitors which Cannon
converted. Repeated further penalties at the breakdown saw
Otley reduced to 14 men when the inside centre was sent to
cool down.
Rory Couper got his name on the score sheet
as he performed a graceful dive to stay in play at the
corner and touch down for 38-19 as the game entered the
final quarter. A final try at the end of the game saw Otley
extend their victory margin running out 45-19 winners.
After a poor first period 'Muir showed that
they can compete at this level as seasoned performers
stepped up to the mark in the second half.
Boroughmuir: Alan Sievewright;
Tom Bury, Matt Cannon, Elgan O'Donnell, Rory Couper; Bruce
Aitchison, Calum Cusiter; Nigel Drapper, Davie Cunningham,
Freddie Lait; Euan Matheson, Fergus Pringle; Joni Hare, Ben
Fisher, Olly Brown. Subs (all used): Stephen Ruddick, James
White, Malcolm Clapperton, Greg Cottrell, Andy Hadden, Andy
Stewart, Chris Hill, Phil Bloomer |
