Saturday 23rd January 2010

Boroughmuir 8 - 19 Glasgow Hawks

Reporter: Mark Furnivall

Once again in this season of inconsistency Boroughmuir contrived to lose a game they could easily have won. There have been so many false dawns during this campaign that it came as little surprise that the determination and promise, and most of all control, shown in last week's away victory over Edinburgh Academicals, was noticeable by its absence for large parts of today's game.

With a heavy pitch, constant drizzle and bitterly cold conditions it was never going to be a day for free flowing rugby but Hawks adapted to the conditions the more readily and in Duncan Weir had a stand-off who controlled field position and ensured his forwards played the game in the right areas of the pitch.

But it needn't have been like that. As they did last week 'Muir came out of the blocks well and after 15 minutes had an 8 - 3 lead and looked the better team. With Peter Wright bellowing at his charges from the touchline, urging them to kick for position, Hawks started to come back in to the game and 'Muir tried to force things a little too much. As has happened too often of late, unforced errors crept into the 'Muir game and whilst handling was difficult for both teams 'Muir had the greater error count.

Freddie Lait put the first try on the board before Graeme Blackhall and Duncan Weir exchanged early penalties. Hawks were penalised inside their 22 for side entry at the breakdown and 'Muir spurned the chance of a kick at goal to put the ball into touch near the visitors' line. Neale Patrick caught the ball at the front of the lineout and set the rolling maul. A drive by captain Euan Matheson got close before Lait reprised he score of last week and powered over from short range. The conversion from wide left was narrowly missed but 'Muir seemed to be the more composed team.

Slowly Hawks started to exert pressure and on 24 minutes Bronson Ross was sent to the sin-bin having incurred the referee's wrath once to often as he entered a ruck from the side. Hawks took advantage of the extra man and pinned 'Muir back in their own half. A long kick downfield by Weir was gathered by Rob Cairns but before he was able to clear he was engulfed by both visiting wingers and penalised for not releasing. Hawks showed that they to can play the ctahc and drive with Cammy Kerr going in for the score. Weir's conversion gave Hawks a lead they were never to relinquish.

Before the break referee David Crudge brandished his yellow card twice more, sending first Greg Cottrell and then Rory Mackay to the sidelines.

The second period started in similar vein to the first. 'Muir had the better of the early exchanges but every time they worked good field position they either coughed up the ball by knocking it on or succumbed to Mr Crudge's oft used whistle allowing Hawks to clear the danger. When Hawks engineered good ground all to often 'Muir infringed and Weir able to add two further penalties before being replaced by Mike Adamson who added on of his own for good measure.

From 8 - 3 ahead to 8 - 19 behind is not a good return for the day and 'Muir's failure to control both the ball and field position at the same time proven their downfall on the day. Next week the capital side travel north to Dundee knowing that they can beat Rankin's men having done so by a single point in October. 'Muir now lie 10^th in the league, 7 points clear of Watsonians who have a game in hand. Each team has their destiny in their own hands but the odds on a Colinton side being relegated are shortening all the time.

Boroughmuir : Stephen Ruddick; Rob Cairns: Malcolm Clapperton, Graeme Blackhall, Ed Mills: Greg Cottrell, Calum Cusiter: Freddie Lait, Shaun McMurchy, Bronson Ross: Greig Scott, Neale Patrick: Mike Stalley, Euan Matheson, Jamie Doubleday. Subs Used: Justin Va'a, Lynton Brinck, Phil Cronin, Stuart McGee, Mark Hare