Saturday 5th September 2009

Boroughmuir 37 v 20 West of Scotland

Reporter: George Clark

Two tries  in as many minutes just before the hour mark made this game safe for Boroughmuir against a plucky West of Scotland side, who had come back strongly after half-time, to come back from 18-3 down to reduce the deficit to only 3 points, with two tries of their own.

In near-perfect playing conditions, but a swirling wind for kickers to contend with, it was the visitors who had most of the ball in the first 10 minutes, but Boroughmuir who looked the more dangerous with ball in hand and indeed a sweeping backs move in 6 minutes saw Stephen Ruddick dart over for the opening try, which he converted.

West replied with a penalty, which was cancelled out by the in-form Ruddick after 15 minutes, but the home side then extended their lead on the half-hour, when, following a scrum on the 10 metre line, Stephen Ruddick made a break, but a West hand in an attempted interception, succeeded in knocking the ball back towards their line and Joni Hare won the race to touch down. A further penalty for Ruddick in 35 minutes meant that the sides changed ends with Boroughmuir leading 18-3.

The first few minutes of the second period could have proved very costly, as the team adjusted to the introduction from the bench of Greig Scott, Nick Fraser and Elgan O’Donnell. Inside a minute, Gordon Bulloch dived over from close range for a converted try, after the home pack failed to tidy up possession from a line-out and 6 minutes later the lead was further cut, after excellent interplay by forward and backs, by a try from Andrew Park, this time unconverted.

Boroughmuir settled down, however, and began to dominate possession and territory. Despite excellent midfield defence by West, the home backs were looking more and more threatening and in 55 minutes, the pack having made good ground only to be held up over the West line, it was Tom Bury who stepped neatly inside his man to score when the ball was swept wide from the 5 metre scrum. Elgan O’Donnell added the conversion.

Two minutes later, Boroughmuir secured the bonus point and the win with the best move of the match, which owed itself to the pace and precision of the passing and great running lines. Elgan O’Donnell gave the scoring pass to Malcolm Clapperton, following a searing break by pro-player Andrew Easson, making his debut for the club. The home backs were now in full cry and a 75^th minute consolation try for West following a succession of drives and rolling mauls was cancelled out by a superb effort, Tom Bury showing great pace after taking a long pass from the impressive Easson, to create the space for the pass to Ruddick who, in turn flipped the ball on to Robert Cairns, who stormed over the line. Elagn O’Donnell converted and, despite last minute pressure from the West pack, there was no more scoring, Boroughmuir running out winners by 37-20.

There was much to enthuse about in this performance against a West team who may feel they deserved a losing bonus, having contributed hugely to a very entertaining match. For the hosts, Andrew Easson looks to be an excellent acquisition from the “draft” of pro players, Stephen Ruddick turned in another fine performance and the work-rate of the whole team was exemplary. The worrying statistic, though, was the penalty count of 15 conceded. We simply cannot give away as many penalties as we have done in the first two matches and hope to contend for honours later in the season.

Two games down and 9 points in the bag, though. Not a bad start.

Boroughmuir : Stephen Ruddick: Tom Bury, Malcolm Clapperton, James Fish, Rob Cairns: Greg Cottrell, Stuart McGee: Freddie Lait, Shaun McMurchy Bronson Ross: Mike Stalley, Nealle Patrick: Ally MacLeod, Euan Matheson (c), Joni Hare. Subs Used: Nick Fraser, Greig Scott, Lynton Brinck, Elgan O'Donnell, Andrew Easson

Match Photos