A View from the Touchline – BT Premier League: Played at Oriam Stadium, HW University: 3.3.18.

Heriots 19 pts (t 3, c 2) v Currie Chieftains 47 pts (t 7, c 6)

A bonus point win for Heriots could set them up for the play-offs; a win for Currie would secure home advantage in the tournament; this match promised to be a cracker. The deep drifting snow of the past few days had put an end to many sporting fixtures this weekend, but thanks to Heriots’ enterprise in hiring the covered Oriam pitch, which provided almost tropical conditions compared to the bitter weather outside, a large crowd of club rugby enthusiasts witnessed a ten try thriller, brimming with commitment and skill.

Currie had the best of the early exchanges as they tried to prise open a solid Heriots defence with deceptive running and intricate passes that did not always connect; it was adventurous but also high risk stuff. Within five minutes Harvey Elms and Robbie Nelson had carried well into the opposition 22 as Heriots struggled to stem the flow and gain any possession, but when it came they certainly made capital. From their first skirmish a Currie scrum infringement resulted, and a penalty lineout followed. Heriots’ trademark weapon appeared; the unstoppable driving maul had Iain Wilson over for a textbook try that was not converted.

Now playing with confidence and showing the Chieftains that they too could move the ball equally as well as their counterparts, Robbie Mulveena made ground and some slick passing saw Robert Kay whizzing in at the corner flag. Robert Jones’ splendid conversion put Heriots in the driving seat with barely twenty minutes on the clock; it was a little against the run of play. Once again Currie supporters were thinking of another Marr fiasco, especially when a couple of scoring opportunities went begging. Thankfully it did not happen, and by halftime the Chieftains were functioning like a well-oiled machine.

With Hamish Bain and Michael Vernel driving forward, ably supported by the marauding antics of Steven Ainslie, Scott McGinley and Thomas Gordon, a flowing move concluded with a fine try for Fergus Scott. Charlie Shiel converted, and then he became a wizard Houdini, wiggling and slipping through at least four tackles before galloping twenty metres for another try that he converted to give Currie the lead. Heriots looked shell-shocked. With still three or four minutes before the break, a wonderful try came as majestically as the Chieftains’ silky handling skills propelled the ball the width of the pitch; Ratu Tagive looped for the overlap and gave Ben Robbins a pass that made space for the full back’s run; the try was not converted.

Halftime score – Heriots 12 pts, Currie Chieftains 19 pts.

The exciting action-packed rugby continued with Heriots gearing up their powerful forward play and strong running from their back line. Another penalty lineout looked ominous, but this time the Currie pack had its measure, and in the next few minutes the game was turned on its head. The Chieftains cleared their lines with a try that traversed the length of the pitch. Jamie Forbes started the counter-attack from his goal line and the scintillating Currie backs did the rest. The wow factor was palpable as Ben Robbins dived under the posts for the bonus point try.

In minutes Currie had romped back into Heriots’ territory and they were on fire! Michael Vernel took the softest of Jamie Forbes exquisite passes, and on a wonderful angle he raced twenty metres for the posts. Charlie Shiel converted both tries, and then, as this devastating passage of play continued, he pounced on a ball that had squirted out of a Heriots scrum on half-way. With electric pace, the scrumhalf weaved a passage to the posts for another try that he again converted. It was turning into the Charlie Shiel show, in celebration of his professional contract with Edinburgh Rugby. Heriots were bereft and left wondering from which direction the next attack was coming, especially with the opposition in fifteen-man mode. Thomas Gordon and Scott McGinley were everywhere; the breakdowns were quickly cleared and ball moved as if controlled by the accuracy of a computer programme. The reliable and speedy Ben Robbins was on the end of more superb inter-passing for his third try, which was converted. As Heriots became frustrated and could do little to stop the onslaught, some niggle ended with yellow cards for Cameron MacIntosh and Liam Steel. Tom Wilson and Michael Multman never dropped their heads and the latter was rewarded with a Heriots try in the final minutes. The Oriam experience was very worthwhile and well done to the Heriots committee for booking it. The Chieftains can now look forward to a home semi-final play-off match in three weeks time. I.J.S, 4.3.18.

Photography (c) Ian Gidney

Full Match Gallery available here - https://www.facebook.com/pg/CurrieChieftains/photos/?tab=album&album_id=535963330123165

Other images available from https://www.rugbypeople.net/galleries/#/heriots-v-currie-03032018/

Match Highlights available here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEwCI7BNfNw