A View from the Touchline – BT Premier League: 13.1.18.

Currie Chieftains 24 pts (t 4, c 2) v Melrose 15 pts (t 2, c 1, pg 1)

A few tints of blue could be seen through the grey clouds on this mild dry January afternoon, and a sizeable crowd had gathered in expectation of a cracking rugby match between the Premier League’s two top teams; they were not disappointed. It was an all-action affair, full of talking points for the committed supporter, and even those not too familiar with the game were fascinated by the halftime arrangements. One young boy thought that the visitors had gone back to Melrose as they disappeared towards the changing rooms and were not seen again for nearly twenty minutes! All part of the intrigue that was better than a TV thriller.

Melrose have undoubtedly been the stand-out team so far this season, having amassed an enormous points gap to put them well in front of other chasing contenders; this almost certainly gives them home advantage for the play-offs. Nevertheless their impregnability had been punctured last weekend, and the Chieftains would be keen to demonstrate their own credentials.

The vocal local supporters were soon in full cry as their team advanced. Cammy Gray clattered into the ‘Rose 22, and with Charlie Shiel spraying quick passes to his backs, the pressure started to build; Adam Hastings’ jinky short run opened a way to the line. Jamie Forbes converted the try. Before another five minutes had passed, the visitors were turning the screw at the other end. With the Currie scrum starting to creak, ‘Rose had options that they now employed. The ball was moved majestically through their backs, and full-back, Craig Jackson’s strong run did not need the overlap that the attack had created; the try was not converted. For the next twenty minutes it became a physical game of chess, as both teams tried to find gaps in well-organised defences. Slowly but surely ‘Rose were getting more possession as they worked their way into the Chieftains’ 22. The visitors muffed an almost certain score when the ball was dropped 10 metres out, but moments later, a pickup from the base of the scrum triggered a series of forward drives that edged towards the posts; the assault culminated in a try for Russell Anderson; Craig Jackson added the conversion.

‘Rose may have thought they had broken the Chieftains’ resolve, especially following a couple of hairy incidents, when the home team laboured to clear their lines; which they eventually did. Close to halftime Jamie Forbes found touch on the ‘Rose 22. The impressive Luke Crosbie soared high to secure the ball, and thereby instigated a rampaging attack. The initial waves were repelled, but it did appear that Kris Burney went over; however, the referee saw a knock-on. ‘Rose cleared from the scrum, but not for long. Currie again battered away, with Ben Robbins, Thomas Gordon and the powerful, Hamish Bain carrying the ball closer to the line. The nimble Charlie Shiel spotted a crack through which he squeezed; Jamie Forbes converted.

Halftime score – Currie Chieftains 14 pts, Melrose 12 pts

When play eventually resumed, it was the Chieftains who looked the livelier and they caught ‘Rose off-guard. Jamie Forbes sniffed an opportunity: his quickly taken tap penalty sent Adam Hastings dancing and slipping through a crowd of sleepy tacklers for a try that was not converted, but it left the visitors with some red faces. Melrose soon picked up the pace with driving play that involved forwards and backs, although generally any threat faded in the Currie 22. Even a 5-metre lineout was driven backwards by the superb Malleny forwards, who now looked to have the measure of the opposition. Some fearsome tackling from Thomas Gordon, Richie Vernon, Robbie Nelson, Ratu Tagive and a try-saving effort by Hamish Bain, frustrated the illustrious visitors. Their only reward for a barrow-load of endeavour was a Craig Jackson penalty goal.

At times the Chieftains lived dangerously, but their chancy adventurism did appear to reflect a growing confidence. They were content to soak up any ‘Rose attacks and wait patiently for mistakes as the visitors became anxious to cut the deficit. With ten minutes remaining, Adam Hastings entered into some aerial ping-pong with his opposite number; he eventually scooped up a poor return kick and screeched into the ‘Rose 22; several phases later the ball was humming sweetly across the Chieftains’ backline, where Michael Vernel committed his tackler but gave a perfect pass to the versatile Richie Vernon, who raced into the corner for an unconverted score. In a spectacular finale ‘Rose threw all they could at their hosts, but it was in vain. The last play of the match was a penalty kick for a losing bonus point, and it rebounded off the post; it was not their day. Will the Chieftains keep this momentum going at Hawks next weekend? I.J.S, 14.1.18.

Photography - Fraser Gaffney