EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS REPORTS

Cusiter adds his voice to Euro debate after victory
COLIN RENTON
Boroughmuir 20 - 18 Glasgow Hawks

BOROUGHMUIR scrum-half Calum Cusiter has added his views to the argument over whether the Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership champions - increasingly likely to be 'Muir - should compete in Europe.

The 27 year old has been a key contributor to his side's march towards the silverware, and he insists title talk is still banished from the Meggetland dressing room.

However, with the gap at the top now 19 points and only 10 matches left to play, it will take a dramatic turnaround in fortunes to prevent them taking the title and becoming embroiled in the debate over clubs in Europe.

That said, 'Muir were given as stern a test as they have faced all season in an engrossing encounter that was another fabulous advert for the club game, before they edged past cup holders Glasgow Hawks 20-18.

It was the second successive tight finish for 'Muir and Cusiter expects more over the coming weeks. He said: "Now that we are in the second half, every team wants to have a pop at us.

"We know that is the case and, if we need to keep grinding out results, we'll do that.

"Nobody is talking about being champions yet but, obviously, it's in the back of your mind. We just have to focus on the next game."

Cusiter has returned to the fold after a year in the pro ranks and he is delighted to be back and combining his rugby with a job in investment banking at Bank of Scotland.

"I'm loving it", he added. "I was only away for a year but I found last year pretty frustrating - I think I only got 25 minutes of game time in the whole season."

His experience as a full-timer, combined with the arrival of Fergus Pringle from Edinburgh and Scotland under-20 hooker Sean Crombie have been key elements of 'Muir's unbeaten run

Cusiter acknowledged the latter pair's contribution, saying: "We now have more strings to our bow.

This year we have added a bit of steel up front with guys like Ferg and Sean having come in.

"They have had a big impact on others who have been around for a while but who now have a new lease of life.

"We now have two ways we can win a game. That's why we are quite keen to get down to some of the muddy stuff. Everyone seems to think we will struggle in the bad weather but we are quite keen to show that we have what it takes to win in all conditions."

The pack had a vital role to play in Saturday's win, with a powerful drive being the platform for a try by Matt Cannon - his first for the club - that edged 'Muir into the lead after Ruaridh Jackson had slotted an early penalty for Hawks.

The visitors struck back with a try from Rory Kerr that was converted by Jackson and still led at the break, although a penalty by Elgan O'Donnell for the hosts trimmed the gap to two points by that stage.

Forward power was also the key to try number two, with Angus Martyn racing over from a five-metre scrum after Ben Fisher had been held up over the line.

O'Donnell's conversion gave the hosts a five-point lead although that advantage shrank when Jackson slotted another penalty to set up a tense final quarter.

Martyn was on hand to finish a superb flowing move with his 12th campaign try but even that was not enough to finish off Hawks as former Scotland winger Kerr sprinted in for his second try.

Jackson was off the mark with his conversion attempt, leaving 'Muir a further step along the road to the title and fuelling the argument that a place in Europe should be the reward for the country's leading club.

"I can see both sides", said Cusiter. "For Boroughmuir, if we do manage it and it does happen then it would be amazing for our profile. We would get some good crowds hopefully and it would be a good experience for everyone concerned.

"By the same token, putting Boroughmuir against Sale Sharks or Bath or Clermont Auvergne, who have been in the competition in the last few years, just doesn't bear thinking about.

"But, if we don't do something, the SRU have to put one side in the Challenge Cup or they lose a lot of revenue, which hurts the game overall, so I don't see what would hurt by giving somebody a chance.

"It would be special but that's not up to us. We just need to get on with it and win the league. If it becomes an option, we'll give it a go."

Boroughmuir: S Ruddick, T Bury, E O'Donnell, A Hadden, R Couper, M Cannon, C Cusiter, F Lait, S Crombie, C Ward, F Pringle, G McCallum, O Brown, A Martyn, B Fisher. Subs Used: G Cottrell, C Costigan, E Matheson.

Glasgow Hawks: R Jackson, S Gordon, C Bruce, S Smith, R Kerr, I Noble, K Sinclair, G Strain, J Maclay, G Mories, A Dale, J Clements, A Maclay, G Fitzpatrick, M Sitch. Subs Used: M Smith, R Hamilton, G MacFadyen.

Scorers: Boroughmuir: Tries: Cannon, Martyn (2); Conversion: O'Donnell; Penalty: O'Donnell. Glasgow: Tries

This article was originally posted on 19-Nov-2007, 12:57 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 19-Nov-2007, 13:14.