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Jed-Forest 20 pts (t 2. c2, p g 2) v Currie Chieftains 31 pts (t 5, c 3)

On a dreary, damp autumn afternoon, Riverside Park is not a venue for the faint-hearted, especially when the hosts are on an impressive winning roll. Once again, the Chieftains’ line-up was hit by injuries, but those filling the gaps blended seamlessly and more than justified selection. The visitors had a torrid opening few minutes, which was not helped by several unforced errors, and an aggressive rampant bullying Jed pack. After 5 minutes of increasing pressure, Currie’s defensive wall was breached, and the lively Jed standoff evaded tacklers by dancing his way over the line for a try, which was converted.

Almost immediately Rhys Davies set a fine example and carried deep into the Jed 22; he continued to lead with distinction throughout the afternoon. After a patient build-up, both Cairn Ramsey and Ryan Stewart went close as Jed struggled to stop the visitors’ advance. The constant barrage resulted in a well-worked try following Christian Townsend’s deft pass to the accelerating Charlie Brett who drew two defenders, and he finally sent James McCaig careering into the corner. The visitors’ euphoria was short-lived, and for the next 20 minutes Jed played to their forward power assisted by some penetrating runs from their exciting back line. They extended their lead with another converted try and two penalty goals before the Chieftains could regain a foothold in Jed territory after some magical Chieftains handling. By the break, excellent support play from Will Inglis, Kyle Steel and Cammy Meager gave Charlie Brett space to sprint clear, and this time he put James McCaig in at the opposite corner. Adam Hall’s tremendous conversion kept the visitors in touch with a Jed scoreline that started to look vulnerable.

Halftime score - Jed-forest 20 pts, Currie Chieftains 12 pts.

It was felt that the team to score first in the second half would gain morale boosting benefit. With barely 2 minutes played, the Chieftains pack drove towards a well defended Jed line but found no way through; the ball finally whizzed along the Currie backs creating a clear overlap, but a deliberate knockdown prevented the try. Gregor Christie’s quickly taken penalty opened a way to the line for fleet-footed Chris Anderson to score.

It proved to be a double whammy for the hosts who not only conceded a converted try, but had an experienced influential player sinbinned for the penalty. As can often be the case, the depleted Jed team, roused by their supporters, went on the attack. Were it not for some tremendous try-saving tackles from Charlie Brett and James Brown, the hosts would have extended their one-point lead. In desperation, the Jed penalty count was starting to rise, and from a penalty lineout the Chieftains controlled a 10-metre drive for the line. The impressive Kyle Steel scored the bonus point try which was not converted.

Although now restored to a full complement, Jed had little possession and spent most of the half defending, but they still had the ability to make several dangerous counterattacks which kept the visitors busy and tested their defensive set. Into the final quarter, and the Currie scrum was starting to dominate; Jacob Ramsey and Ryan Stewart carried well, and from an attacking scrum, Gregor Christie shot through a gap which eventually led to a splendid Kody McGovern try. The cool Christian Townsend converted.

Jed have been noted for their strong finishes this season, and sure to form they tested the Currie resolve at every opportunity in the closing stages. With only minutes remaining, their spritely right-wing motored the length of the pitch in pursuit of a losing bonus point. Unfortunately for the cheering crowd he was caught on the line by the equally tenacious effort of Kody McGovern. This match certainly tested the Chieftains, which must put them in good stead for the second half of this League campaign. With back-to-back matches against Edinburgh Accies in the next few weeks they will need to be at their best.  

I.J.S. - 1.11.22.

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