Tennent's Premiership – 27.8.22

Currie Chieftains 52 pts (t 8, c 6) v Jed-Forest 12 pts (t 2, c1)

Following several weeks of well-attended training sessions and two tough pre-season workouts against Biggar RFC, and Manchester club, Sedgley Park, the Chieftains looked well set for the start of their Premier League programme. Malleny Park had been blessed with some recent rain, but although green, the pitch remained bone hard after the hot dry summer, and there was a slight worry of injuries on a fast track.

The visitors were soon on the front foot and exerting pressure in Currie’s 5-metre zone; an attacking lineout was turned over and with it went an early Jed opportunity. The game settled to mistake-ridden open play with both teams failing to make the most of any advantage. After 20 minutes the Chieftains did edge into the visitors’ 22 and gained a well-positioned scrum, but they were pushed off the ball by the powerful Jed pack, who held the upper hand in this department throughout the afternoon. Unfortunately for the visitors, they muffed their exit route, and the ball, which should have been quickly blasted to touch was mis-handled; the speed of Greg Cannie’s pickup and dash for the goal line produced an unexpected opening score to break the deadlock. Barely two minutes later, the big Chieftains centre carved his way through the Jed defence to set up a try for Sean Fisher who finished off some close quarter handling; Jamie Forbes converted both scores and only missed one shot on goal during the game.

Jed continued with their exciting adventurous play, but at critical points their passing did not connect, or Currie’s solid defence halted any progress. The home team cashed in on any mistakes and frequently their bold attacking style ripped open the visitors’ defence, a pattern which continued for the remainder of the match. Before halftime, the Chieftains had bagged the try bonus point with further scores from Archie MacLean, who was having a memorable game, and Kody McGovern, after he had shot for the line following storming runs from Rhys Davies and Ewan Stewart. A scintillating Jed score did dissect the Currie’s tries, following an exceptional passage of rugby which started in their 22, but they failed to build on it.

Halftime score - Currie Chieftains 28 pts, Jed-Forest 7 pts.

The second half continued in a fast and furious fashion, with loose rugby which was full of early season mishaps adding a degree of excitement. The home team's accuracy was not perfect but passes connected and the elusive running of James McCaig and Kody McGovern steadily increased the Chieftains’ lead. Jamie Forbes dictated play to perfection, with deft distribution and positional kicking which frustrated any of the opposition's threatening ambitions. If the visitors’ handling and been more accurate and their kicking game less prone to errors, they could have caused problems for their effervescent opponents. In the closing stages, following another flowing move, Jed scored their second try which was not converted. With only minutes remaining and both teams throwing caution to the wind, a storming run from Gregor Nelson sealed Currie’s victory. Sam Leto added the extras for a comfortable opening win. There will be tougher tests during the new campaign, and a trip to Riverside Park later in the season will be no easy mission.

I.J.S - 29.9.22.

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