A View from the Touchline - BT Premier League: 6.1.18.

Currie 41 pts (t 5, c 4, pt 1, pg 1) v Boroughmuir 7 pts (t 1, c 1)

This was a rip-roaring contest which provided exciting entertainment in the clear cold January sunshine. The scoreline may suggest a rather one-sided match, but the local Derby was far from it; if ‘Muir had got their noses in front, particularly during dominant periods in the first half, when they looked very good and controlled both possession and territory, the outcome could have been different. The Chieftains kept to their task, inflicting demoralising killer blows at regular intervals which eventually subdued the plucky visitors.

Jamie Forbes’ positional kicking can be exceptional, and unfortunately for ‘Muir, this was one of those occasions. Within a couple of minutes of the start, and following a spirited ‘Muir attack, he thumped the ball from one 22 to the other. The visitors’ resulting lineout went disastrously wrong, and the ball was gobbled up by the magnificent Currie back row. Their burst to the line was temporarily halted, but with the visitors’ defence in chaos, Charlie Shiel sent Mike Vernel over near the posts; Jamie Forbes converted.

The game now entered a twenty minute period when first one side, and then the other, was kept on their toes by attacking moves that required equally determined defensive play. The Chieftains’ penalty count started to rise as ‘Muir increased the pressure. Supremely confident, on more than one occasion the visitors went for a penalty lineout rather than certain points, and in every case Currie thwarted their courageous efforts. The excitement intensified when Max McFarland gathered the ball in his 22 and set off on a diagonal run with everyone on his tail; the elusive wing was eventually caught just short of the goal line, but in their desperation, ‘Muir infringed and Jamie Forbes kicked the penalty.

At this stage the visitors were most definitely in the ascendancy, denying the hosts possession and pinning them to their 22. Having battered the Chieftains’ line, gaps started to appear wide-out, Chris Laidlaw’s pinpoint cross-field kick found Grant McConnell unmarked; the big wing had an easy score that Chris Laidlaw superbly converted. ‘Muir kept up the pressure, but fortunately Currie’s strong defence held out and they waited for what was to prove ‘Muir’s nemesis, the inevitable error that was then punished. Ben Robbins made a majestic 60 metre dash down the left, which was halted tantalisingly close to the line; but it did pave the way for a penalty try; after the referee had warned ‘Muir about their conduct during a series of 5-metre scrums. Just on halftime the home team could have stretched their lead, but the ball ricocheted off the post.

Halftime score – Currie Chieftains 17 pts, Boroughmuir 7 pts.

The second half started with some sparkling Currie rugby, but a well-drilled ‘Muir defence kept them in check until the pressure became too great. Experienced professional, Richie Vernon crashed through near the corner flag after some classy passing had stretched the ‘Muir cover; the try was not converted. Despite this setback the visitors still had ambitions and continued to threaten, but these promising assaults became more infrequent and consistently failed at crucial points, which allowed Currie to clear the danger.

Following a patient build-up, accompanied by heroic ‘Muir defence, the Chieftains finally bagged their bonus point try. The home scrum was dominant throughout, and a concerted effort had the ‘Muir line under siege. As resources were sucked into the fray, Charlie Shiel’s long precise pass created space, and a powerful run by Robbie Nelson could not be stopped; Jamie Forbes had no problem adding the extras. ‘Muir now started to chase the game with some exhilarating rugby that occasionally went the length of the pitch, but they failed to finish off the chances created; Aubrey Mncube was held up in the goal area, and on a number of occasions their efforts withered with the goal line in sight. Even from their own 22 the gallant ‘Muir backs looked to turn defence into attack; a risky venture that came to an abrupt end. Jamie Forbes read the situation perfectly, and with one skilful intercepting movement, the stand-off plucked the ball from mid-air and dived over; he then converted his own score. Sadly for ‘Muir, they got no reward for all their enterprise and hard work, with the Chieftains, particularly Graham Carson , Andrew McWilliam, Vince Wright, Hamish Bain and Thomas Gordon, prominent in defence and attack, which gave that extra bite to a team performance.

The visitors never gave up and some of their classy play deserved more than it received, which was generally another sweeping Currie attack. In the final few minutes Luke Crosbie, who had controlled the back of the scrum throughout the afternoon, picked up and went for the line; his speed and strength carried him over for an unconverted try. Another big match at home next weekend v Melrose, KO 2.30pm. I.J.S, 7.1.18.