Premier League – Match 17: 3.2.24. A View from the Touchline

Currie Chieftains 36 pts (t 6, c 3) v Edinburgh Accies 10 pts (t 2)

The dry bright day was accompanied by a blustery biting wind, indicating that winter still has a few weeks left in its locker. Both combatants lost their matches last weekend, and with playoff places still to be decided, there was plenty resting on the outcome of this game. For the first 15 minutes Currie huffed and puffed inside the visitors’ 22, but a strong defence, plus a series of infringements at scrum time, hampered any progress. The Accies cover defence, like Kelso’s last Saturday, was frustratingly effective. They spoiled, slowed, and absorbed the initial Chieftains’ salvo before briefly threatening at the other end.

Some exciting running from Ali Bain, Sam Cardosi, Iain Sim and James McCaig again put Accies under pressure. Following a short throw-in on the visitors’ 22, and a barrage of near touchdowns, livewire scrumhalf, Gregor Christie sent a long pass to Charlie Brett who dived over in the corner. The conversion was blown well wide of the goal posts. If Accies had used their wind advantage, they could have relieved some of the Currie pressure. On 30 minutes, Jamie Forbes dummied, side-stepped, and squeezed through the defensive wall for a second unconverted try. When Accies did have possession, even with their excellent handling they failed to find any gaps; promising attacks fizzled out in midfield. A yellow card did not help their cause as Currie continued to press. Courtney West, Ali Bain and Rhys Davies presented plenty of lineout options which led to a third unconverted try just before the break. Hooker, Ryan Stewart looped around the jumpers to take the ball at speed, and the Currie backs did the rest; DJ Innes straightened the line for another unconverted score.

Halftime score – Currie Chieftains 15 pts, Edinburgh Accies O pts.

Now, with the wind behind them, Currie were soon on the attack. A superb 50/22 clearance kick from Jamie Forbes immediately had Accies under the cosh. With their set scrum problems sorted, and Jacob Ramsay making an impact off the bench, the Chieftains gained a scrum penalty. Gregor Christy’s quick tap-and-run caused chaos, and before Accies had time to organise, DJ Innes was in for the converted bonus point try.

With nothing to lose, the visitors started to run from all parts of the pitch. They stretched the Chieftains’ defence with ambitious, attractive open rugby which was rewarded with two unconverted tries. They took risks, and looked dangerous going forward, but any hope of a comeback was finally crushed with an Iain Sim try; Callum Becket splendidly converted from the touchline. The Chieftains’ final League fixture is against Marr on Friday 16th February; KO 7.30pm. The outcome of this game will decide the venue for the semi-final playoff.

I.J.S. 4.2.24.

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