The overnight frost had been chased away by a rather damp overcast day which was brightened by a large festive crowd, many of whom had enjoyed the Christmas Lunch in the Malleny Clubhouse. This was the Chieftains’ last match of 2021, a year that will be remembered for the Covid pandemic, lockdowns and an eighteen-month gap before club fixtures could recommence.

Although there is still a risk of future disruption caused by new strains of the Covid virus, both teams appeared determined to take a positive outcome into the New Year rugby programme. and for the first five minutes the ball was passed about like a hot potato.

From their own half, the Chieftains launched a blistering attack with full-back Charlie Brett joining the line and placing a well-weighted kick in the path of speeding Jamie Forbes who scored in the corner. For the next fifteen minutes Currie could do little wrong, and Jamie Forbes’ magical running produced his hat trick. The versatile player’s second try came from a beautifully angled run which split the Souters’ defence. Shortly after there was an exceptional passage of attacking rugby after Charlie Brett breached the midfield barrier and raced 20 metres before passing to Ryan Southern; the Selkirk cover managed to down the first two carriers, but Jamie Forbes was on hand to race around the remaining defenders for a stunning try. Gregor Hunter missed the difficult first conversion, but for the remainder of the afternoon he was spot on target.

At that stage the visitors were finding it difficult to retain possession and constantly put themselves under pressure with a rising penalty count. Currie’s dominance continued, and following confusion in the visitors’ ranks, Ewan Stewart, who with Hamish Ferguson had been superb in the lineout, charged down a clearance and his second-row partner flopped on the loose ball for the Chieftains’ bonus point try.

Then approaching the break, Selkirk started to play with more purpose and fluency. Their backs moved the ball wide and penetrated deep into the Currie 22. On a couple of occasions, they threatened the try line, but a fine turnover from Wallace Nelson and terrific close-quarter defence by the Chieftains, frustrated their efforts. However, the Souters didn’t let up and eventually they created enough space to outstrip the home defence and score an unconverted try.

‍Halftime score – Currie Chieftains 26pts, Selkirk 5 pt.

Selkirk started the second half as they had finished the first, with confident running rugby which kept Currie busy. A flowing passage of play took the eager visitors over the Currie goal line, but the ball was held up. With a little more patience their continuing pressure should have reaped rewards, especially after Currie had conceded a string of penalties and Hamish Ferguson was despatched to the sinbin. The big men in the plucky Selkirk pack competed well, but injury to lock forward, Thomas Brown did not help their cause. Eventually, the Chieftain’s stout defence saw the danger cleared and home side began to return to attack.

After a couple of forward drives, in which Cairn Ramsey, Gregor Nelson and Fergus Scott were prominent, the Chieftains backline stepped on the gas; soft hands and classic running had Cammy Gray sprinting to the corner for converted try number five.

Selkirk regrouped and a determined effort took them deep into Currie territory, but once again over-enthusiasm and strong defending reversed the direction of play. Although the Borderers tackled like terriers, they overstepped the mark once too often and a player went to the bin. However, this did not stop their all-out adventurous style of play, and they finally broke the Chieftains’ resistance with a mighty forward drive for their second unconverted try.

For the remaining few minutes of the match Currie once more took control and with rocket propulsion, DJ Innes ran in from 20 metres for a satisfying closing score.

Full-time Score: Currie Chieftains 40 pts (t 6, c 5) v Selkirk 10 pts (t 2)

I.J.S. – 12.12.21.

‍