Having lost in Stirling last week, the last
thing that Boroughmuir’s 2nd XV needed this
weekend for the local derby against Watsonians was a
severely weakened team. That was what they had to contend
with; however, with six front row forced to start in various
positions. Despite all this, they managed to find a spirited
performance and were level for long periods of the game, the
visitors only pulling away to victory in the final ten
minutes.
After each side had goaled an early penalty –
full back Ed Mills striking for Boroughmuir – Watsonians
pushed themselves into a half time lead with a converted
try. That told little of the story though as ’Muir were
superior in possession and territory, but seemed to lack
just the final touches to turn their pressure into points.
The second half began brightly for the home
side, with James White having to take over at fly-half for
the injured Kevin Robertson they were running ball from
everywhere, and eventually they fashioned a try on the right
flank for Mills. The fullback got up and converted his own
score to tie the game once more.
Watsonians were certainly a more cohesive
outfit as they were not having to go through the process of
players adapting to new positions, but still ’Muir held the
upper hand in field position even if Watsonians were looking
dangerous on the counter attack.
That danger told in the end as Watsonians
broke upfield and scored a try which was then converted to
re-open their seven point gap. ’Muir heads could easily have
gone down, but they once again fought back and when
replacement scrum half Brett Comis nipped down the blindside
and over the line and Mills added the extra two points, they
had themselves back on level terms.
As the game wore on towards full time, ’Muir
legs began to tire and the concentration levels that had
helped those out of position perform so admirably began to
slip. So it was no surprise that, in the final ten minutes,
Watsonians managed two breakaway tries which definitively
swung the match in their favour. However there can be little
criticism levelled at the ’Muir side, they did themselves
proud in difficult circumstances, and if they can perform
this well with a full strength side, there will be many wins
come their way over the course of the season.
