A View from the Touchline – Tennent's Premiership: 24.9.22.

Currie Chieftains 43 pts (t 6, c 3 p t 1) v GHA 40 pts (t 6, c 5)

The rugby at Malleny Park certainly matched the bright, breezy weather, with spectators being treated to a roller-coaster ride from the kick-off to the final whistle. It was only a few minutes into the game when Sam Leto neatly chip-kicked over the advancing opposition, and the ball was skilfully gathered on the right wing by James McCaig; his perfect inside pass to Cameron Lessels sent the scrumhalf scorching to the line for an unconverted try. It looked as if the Chieftains had finally solved their previous shaky starts, and a steady flow of points was expected to follow.

Sure enough, the total mounted, but for the next 35 minutes the scores all came from an exuberant GHA team who made the most of their possession, and of Currie’s frequent errors, which included a yellow card. The visitors ripped open their opponents with 4 excellent tries without reply. Their speedy, agile backs were superb, particularly the young standoff, and they were ably aided by an excellent, marauding back row, who proved to be a constant problem for Currie, both in attack and defence. As halftime approached, the astonished crowd wondered if the Chieftains could ever recover from such a GHA battering, even after the visitors had a player sent to the sinbin, and Cairn Ramsay had ploughed his way to the line for Currie’s second unconverted try.

Halftime score – Currie Chieftains 10 pts, GHA 26 pts

The home team quickly needed to get a grip on proceedings if any hope of a comeback was to be achieved. After 2 minutes, and following a determined drive from Rhys Davies, Michael Vernel and Cody Roman, the Currie pack careered over the line for another unconverted try. It was the start which they needed, and GHA began to look a little jittery. Minutes later, after a splendid Chris Anderson turnover in the Currie 22, the Chieftains opened up with some fine handling which took them back down the pitch for a converted score, and the bonus point. It was now the visitors who were being starved of possession. Another robust attack met stout resistance, but the Chieftains were playing with confidence and panache. Ryan Stewart burst forward, and several phases of fine handling from D J Inness, Adam Hall and Cammy Meager, propelled play deep into the GHA red zone. A stretched defence could not prevent the try, and Currie edged in front.

After 25 minutes, of one-way traffic, momentum again moved in favour of GHA when their number 6 accelerated down the middle of the park into Currie’s 22. A patient build-up was rewarded with a classy try wide out to put GHA back in the lead. The final ten minutes was a cliff-hanger. Currie were awarded a penalty try when their driving maul was illegally pulled down on the line. But once again the plucky visitors hit back with a wonderful passage of flowing rugby which concluded with a splendid try for their fullback, who also kicked the difficult conversion. As the match moved past the 80-minute mark, it looked as if the visitors had done enough to claim the spoils, but an adventurous Charlie Brett run down the left opened a passage to the GHA line. Some fine ball retention and close quarter passing ended with a powerful run from hardworking Ewan Stewart who crashed over for the score. The converted try put Currie back in front, and although nerves were jangling in both teams, there was insufficient time for the visitors to conjure any more magic in a memorable match. This was a tremendous advertisement for Premiership rugby, it had it all, and both teams deserve praise for providing an afternoon of skilful, exciting sport. No doubt GHA will be out for revenge when the Chieftains visit Braidholm later in the season.

IJS – 26.9.22.

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