In the absence of the normal report from our scribe I have highjacked the Boroughmuir version of events

Boroughmuir opened against Glasgow Hawks with a strong wind at their backs and hoping to take early advantage to overturn the result from the game at Old Anniesland in October. 'Muir took advantage of the wind to dominate territory in the early minutes of the game but too many handling errors saw them unable to gain the advantage on the scoreboard.

The breakthrough came on 11 minutes when Andy Knight, starting at scrum-half, got under the skin of his opposite number and drew a penalty as he pressured the Hawks scrum. The referee spotted an arm swung in frustration and Bruce Aitchison kicked the 3 points to put 'Muir ahead.

The lead was not to last long as Hawks quickly realised that kicking into the wind was a losing tactic and elected to keep the ball in hand. A series of pounding runs into the heart of the 'Muir defence, led by the bullocking No. 8, eventually paid dividends and with the conversion added Hawks had a 3-7 lead against the elements, if not the run of play.

'Muir continued to press but were unable to make best use of the conditions as they turned the ball over on too many occasions. As time progressed the 2s elected to run the ball more and their first try came from a fine move of the base of a ruck. The ball was swung wide to Stuart Waddell who made inroads into the 22 before feeding Danny Rutterford on his outside. The rejuvenated prop charged into the Hawks defence the passed back inside for the supporting Waddell to dive over the line. Aitchison's conversion saw 'Muir back into a lead they would never relinquish.

As the first period drew to a close Andy Knight worked his magic to send James Fish in for his 6th league try of the season. The veteran scrum-half spotted a gap on the blindside as the 'Muir pack won quick ball at a ruck in their own half. He set off for the line as as the cover arrived he found Fish on his outside to beat the last man an go over for the try. Aitchison added his third kick of the half to see 'Muir establish 1 17 - 7 half time lead.

Many thought that 'Muir would struggle to hold Hawks in the face of the gale for the second period and indeed the visitors got the first score early in the half after a period of sustained pressure. The conversion cut the deficit to 3 points and it looked as though it would be backs against the wall for 'Muir. The defence was always under pressure but some fine tackling and a determination not to be beaten saw 'Muir eventually turn the tide.

Just after the hour the 2s worked their way upfield and Phil Bloomer broke the tackles from 10 metres out to cross the line. Aitchison maintained his 100% record with the boot to restore the 10 point lead and provide 'Muir with something the defend.

Hawks refused to give up but the 2nd XV held firm until deep into injury time before the visitors again narrowed the gap to 3. But the referee had seen enough and blew the final whistle on a hard fought but deserved win for Boroughmuir. Considering the conditions both sides tried to play good rugby and there was much to enjoy in the encounter. Not least the result. Four teams beat the 2s in the first half of the season and 'Muir have vowed revenge against them all. One down three to go.

This article was posted on 22-Nov-2007, 12:55 by Hugh Barrow.