Premier League - Match 10: 11.11.23.

A View from the Touchline

Jed-Forest 7 pts (t 1, c 1) v Currie Chieftains 31 pts (t 5, c 3)

Following a few heavy frosts, the autumn colours at a chilly Riverside Park were beginning to fade. The dedicated rugby locals are people committed to their famous club, and some of those traveling from West Edinburgh took advantage of the splendid hospitality on offer, enjoying a delicious £10.00 curry lunch to fortify themselves for the afternoon’s action.

Unfortunately for Jed, injury and player unavailability have hit them hard this season, and they have struggled to field a settled team; hence a string of disappointing results, leaving them stuck at the bottom of the League table. The Chieftains soon added to their problems with an opening spell of scintillating rugby which stretched the Jed defence. Ryan Daley danced his way to the corner flag soon after, and the ever-improving Sam Leto did the same thing a few minutes later in the other corner. The two tries were not converted, but as the hosts endeavoured to steady the ship, the referee’s intolerance for persistent infringements snapped, and a Jed player was sent to the bin.

As expected, once the experienced and physical Jed team gained possession, they made ground, but the lack of continuity led to errors which the Chieftains punished. On 15 minutes, Sam Cardosi started and finished a passage of play with a penalty turnover, which he followed up with a try from the back of a driving maul; Sam Leto converted. During the second quarter Jed played to their forward strength, executing formidable drives which eventually led to a morale-boosting converted try. Although the Chieftains caused panic with delicate touches from Alex Harley, and piercing runs from Euan Crombie, James McCaig and Rhys Davies, the Jed defence did sufficient to prevent any further scoring before the break.

Halftime score – Jed-Forest 7 pts, Currie Chieftains 17 pts.

Considering the possession and territory which the visitors had enjoyed in the first half, Jed must have been delighted to still be in contention, and their energy at the restart hinted of a change in fortunes. Any local optimism was quickly erased when Gregor Christie, returning after a long absence, intercepted a mid-field pass and bolted for the Jed posts; the Sam Leto conversion was a formality. It was also good to see the return of Ali McCallum after a short lay-off: both he, and his boiler-house partner, Courtney West were prominent throughout the afternoon. This also applied to Graeme Carson, Thomas Jeffrey, Archie Fletcher, Roy Vucago and Sam Cardosi; they all worked effectively to keep the Chieftains on the front foot.

Apart from a couple of periods when Jed broke away from Currie’s grip, and started to look dangerous deep in visitor territory, the match drifted towards an uneventful end. Mark Cairns and Alistair Donaldson are developing some new exciting players, and it is certainly starting to show; debutant Colby Taylor was impressive as a bench replacement. With full time imminent, a final Currie assault finished in confusion; a converted try was scored by Rhys Davies, but this was accompanied by yellow cards for both teams, after a minor disagreement. Nevertheless, it all ended amicably with the usual handshakes and smiles.

A high-flying Musselburgh team are the visitors at Malleny Park next weekend; expect some seasonal fireworks from this local Derby match – kick-off 2.00pm.

I.J.S. - 13.11.23.