A View from the Touchline – BT Premier League: 28.10.17.

Currie 14 pts (t 2, c 2) v Heriots 15 pts (t 2, c 1, pg 1)

A blustery autumn wind not only blew away the last hours of British Summer Time, but it also saw off the Chieftains’ hope of a fourth consecutive win. Two evenly matched teams could not serve up the exciting fare that Currie supporters have recently experienced, although both defences put on a fine display which kept scoring to a minimum in a tight contest.

After a shaky start to their season, Heriots came to Malleny Park on a bit of a roll, mainly provided by a formidable pack that can dominate and strangle the life out of a match. For the first ten minutes, the boot was on the other foot, and it was the home team that had the visitors working hard to keep them from scoring. Several close-quarter drives were stopped by fair means and foul, with the referee having to speak to the Heriots’ Captain about their constant infringements. When they did finally clear the danger, play moved to the other end of the pitch for a similar period, the only difference being that Heriots eventually left with points on the score board. The patient visitors worked an overlap on the right wing, where Callum Marshall was lurking for a short run to the corner flag; the try was not converted.

As the match moved into the second quarter, the visitors continued to control proceedings. Currie found it difficult to get any meaningful possession, but their defensive play was admirable with Heriots making little ground beyond the 22 line. Mike Vernel, Callum Macintosh and Rhys Davies caused frustration with some tremendous tackling and the occasion turnover which Matt O’Neil or Jamie Forbes dispatched to safety. With no way through, the visitors opted for a shot at the posts when Currie were penalised for side entry. As halftime loomed, the Ross Jones penalty goal added to Heriots’ growing confidence. Perhaps they became a little over-ambitious when an innocuous midfield breakdown dramatically changed direction. A neat chip kick from Matt O’Neil, and the lightning reaction and pickup from Cammy Gray saw the wingman sprinting 30 metres for an unexpected score. In the gusting wind, Jamie Forbes converted on the stroke of halftime.

Halftime score – Currie Chieftains 7 pts, Heriots 8 pts.

The second half started in the same way as the first, with Currie attacking, keeping possession and looking as if they were about to add to their total. Unfortunately an attacking lineout went disastrously wrong, allowing Heriots to quickly reverse roles and move into Currie’s 22. Once again their juggernaut pack did the damage as it slowly edged to the line. When the ball was released, it sailed the width of the pitch, and Jack Turley’s well-angled run split the defence; he crashed over from short range for a try that Ross Jones converted.

With a good thirty minutes of play remaining, the match settled into something of a stalemate, with one team and then the other predominating, but not making much headway. Heriots tried to move their rolling maul over great distances, but it always ran out of traction ten metres from its destination, and the danger cleared. Their backs also tried to run the ball, but like the Chieftains, they found an impregnable defence. Even half-breaks were well policed and the gaps plugged before any real advantage was gained. David Hall did make an exciting 20 metre dash, but by the time he was stopped in the Heriots’ 22, the brick wall defence was again in place. There always looked to be a possibility that the speed and strength of Robbie Nelson, Ben Robbins or Ruairidh Smith would find a hole to slip through, but the visitors were too shrewd to let it happen. With about ten minutes remaining Currie were gaining more possession and territory, and the visitors conceding penalties. Vince Wright secured a penalty lineout and the pack then peppered the Heriots’ line with a series of driving mauls that finally yielded a try for Rhys Davies. Jamie Forbes converted, but there was too little time remaining to overcome Heriots one point lead, and Chieftains had to settle for a losing bonus point.

We have now reached the halfway point in the Premier League programme, and next weekend we play the club sitting at the bottom of the table. Even in this lowly position, Hawick will be a handful at Malleny Park. KO time will be confirmed on the Currie website later in the week. I.J.S, 2910.17.