A View from the Touchline – BT Premier League: 4.11.17.

Currie 32 pts (t 5, c 2, pg 1) v Hawick 24 pts (t 4, c 2)

A few seasons ago Hawick would have arrived at Malleny Park sitting near the top of the League, not propping it up at the bottom, but as Currie Chieftains know only too well, you can never underestimate these Border boys. This match was a potential banana skin, particularly when the ‘Greens’ look down and out, and a proven new coach, like George Graham, takes the helm. It was a classic ‘game of two halves’ which saw the Chieftains demonstrating their silky skills, and bagging a try bonus point before halftime, but then they lost their way; the courageous, battling Hawick team hit back, and came very close to winning the match.

Just before kick-off the weather changed; a heavy shower arrived and the temperature dropped rapidly, but the blue sky returned, and the Chieftains’ scintillating rugby soon warmed the crowd. In a matter of minutes, Currie had the visitors on toast as they moved the ball with speed and precision to create holes in a somewhat fragile defence, and race into a twelve point lead. Tries from Robbie Nelson and Vince Wright both started deep in Currie territory after fine elusive running from Jamie Forbes, Ben Robbins, Ruairidh Smith and Harvey Elms; Jamie Forbes hit the posts with the first conversion, but he was spot on for the second try.

Ten minutes had passed before Hawick got into the Chieftains’ 22; their fast back play looked dangerous and was only halted by a fine tackle from Matt O’Neil. A couple of good carries from Rhys Davies and Michael Vernel temporarily stopped the Hawick advance, but they kept up the pressure. Their efforts went unrewarded when the ball rolled loose and Cammy Gray bolted half the length of the pitch before sending Ruairidh Smith on his way to the goal line. The speedy wing was caught just short, but he managed to pop the ball to Jamie Forbes for a tremendous try which he then proceeded to convert.

Currie was now well on top and the visitors found it difficult to contain the rampant hosts; infringements and penalties mounted. Jamie Forbes kicked three more points to give Currie a handsome lead. When the visitors did get some possession, they used it well, and their backs looked very handy. From these meagre scraps a score was fashioned; Gary Munro raced in at the corner flag for a try which was not converted. With a few minutes of the half remaining, the Chieftains once again turned on the style. Hawick were penalised, and from the resulting lineout, the pack drove over. Hard-working Steven Ainslie’s try was converted by Jamie Forbes. There was still time for another lightning assault; Ruairidh Smith just failed to collect his neat chip-kick on the goal line.

Halftime score – Currie Chieftains 27 pts, Hawick 5 pts.

Hawick must have been hoping that the break would bring a change to their fortunes, but in the early stages of the second half, Currie continued to dictate proceedings. A Callum Mackintosh turnover started a series of attacks that culminated in an unconverted try for Harvey Elms; the centre outpaced the covering defence, and raced into the corner from 20 metres out. With plenty of time remaining, and 27 points in arrears, it looked as if the beleaguered visitors would be on the end of a severe drubbing. But as Currie know to their cost, the ‘Greens’ never give up, and for the next 30 minutes the match was turned on its head. Hawick rattled in four tries and made the Chieftains look very mediocre and rudderless in the process.

The rot started when Ali Weir was allowed to sail through a huge gap and canter to the line. He missed the conversion, but belted over the next, a few minutes later, after lock, Craig Hamilton used his power to storm over the line following a good build-up. The Chieftains were now on the rack and they could not shake off the relentless hold that the confident visitors were exerting. Currie’s possession had dried up, and play was mainly confined to their 22. When the fourth Hawick try was scored by Shawn Muir, and again converted by Ali Weir, the nerves were jangling. The visiting pack was faster and more aggressive as they drove forward knocking Currie off the ball; were it not for some last gasp tackling by the Currie backs, when the ball went wide, Hawick would secured the points to overtake the Currie score. Unfortunately time ran out for the gallant ‘Greens’ and the shell-shocked Currie team just managed to hold on for the win. The next match is a National Cup clash at Ayr in two weeks time. Details will be posted on the website.​IJS, 5.11.17.