A View from the Touchline – Premier League: 25.2.23.

Currie Chieftains 45 pts (t 7, c 5) v Selkirk 17 pts (t 3, c 1)

Two weekends ago there was still plenty riding on this final League fixture of the season, however, in their race for a top four finish, Selkirk came unstuck against lowly Heriot’s, and now with play-off places and relegation issues finally sorted out, there was a little more than pride at stake for both teams.

The Chieftains kicked off with the advantage of a biting easterly wind, which chilled to the bone, but the travelling support were soon warmed by Selkirk’s red-hot start and a fine converted try on 8 minutes. Full of running and exciting rugby, the visitors looked sharp, and gearing up for the forthcoming Borders 7s circuit. There was no panic in Currie ranks after this opening score; they regrouped and edged forward with penetrating attacks which were repelled by some stout defending. Following a 10-minute spell of concerted pressure, with the Chieftains’ scrum rumbling forward, and Ally McCallum and Will Inglis ruling the lineout, gaps appeared; Greg Cannie eventually streaked in for a converted try.

Both backlines were eager to show their skill-set in attack and defence, with some exciting well-drilled rugby. The Chieftains had most of the possession and territory, and their patient approach was finally rewarded on the half hour when Gregor Christie took a quick tap-penalty and sent the equally sharp Jamie Forbes to the corner; the on-song flyhalf stroked the conversion like a well-seasoned golf professional. Selkirk were still full of ambition, but it was tough going as they tried to break Currie’s strangle-hold on proceedings. After a further 10 minutes had elapsed, the visitors’ stretched defence finally ran out of numbers, and Jamie Forbes dashed through for a masterful try which he once again converted.

Iain Sim and Ryan Stewart had carries which looked like bringing up the bonus point before the break, but the sprightly visitors had other ideas; running some wonderful angles, and with fast accurate passing, they sliced through the home defence to score a memorable converted try on the cusp of halftime.

Halftime score – Currie Chieftains 21 pts, Selkirk 12 pts.

The early part of the second half was a bit of a cat-and-mouse affair, with both teams making breaks into the other’s red zone but failing to drive home any advantage. Selkirk certainly had a well-rehearsed box of tricks in their repertoire, and 15-minutes in they produced a passage of slick flowing rugby that delivered a brilliant, converted try. The Chieftains were now only a score in front of their buoyant opponents, but the visitors started to lose some influential personnel through injury.

From a tricky situation on halfway, Paddy Boyer was forced down the blindside. He sprinted clear of Currie’s creaking scrum with Michael Vernel in close support; good to see him back after a long lay-off. The eager bench replacement motored into Selkirk’s 22 and timed the perfect pass to Ewan Stewart who crashed over for the bonus point try. With 15-minutes remaining, and despite several positional changes, Selkirk continued with their expensive approach, but in a promising move they lost possession, and the loose ball was snapped up by the flamboyant Chieftains backs. DJ Innes, Greg Cannie, Kody McGovern and Iain Sim were all involved before Ryan Daley raced clear for the try line. The rest of the match was one-way traffic; two more tries from deep came in quick succession. The impressive running of Iain Sim and Kody McGovern sealed the Chieftains’ victory as the gallant visitors emptied their bench and energy reserves. This had been a tighter contest than the score line would suggest, and a good workout for the forthcoming play-off semi-final against Edinburgh Accies on March 4th. There were plenty of errors and several wobbly ‘Finn Russell’-style passes which could be punished by experienced opposition. The Chieftains still have plenty to work on, but if the forwards can beef up the breakdown contest, they will have a fine chance of progressing to a second consecutive play-off final.

I.J.S. - 28.2.23.

‍