Melrose sparkled again versus Boroughmuir, taking their try count to 17 in two games – solid up front – sharp hands – incisive running – clinical finishing – with their only possible concern maybe being their goal kicking. But the phony war is over – live bullets at Millbrae next Saturday.
Raw pace at a fierce tempo is what Currie Chieftains are all about – and so long as they can hold their own in the set-piece they will take some beating. On the day they were simply too good for Watsonians – six tries – all converted by Jamie Forbes.
Big game – big performance – and a big result for Glasgow Hawks at Millbrae. Keeping it simple – concentrating on their basics – fighting for every ball – pushing their physicality to the limit – taking their chances and kicking their goals – and they may very well have unearthed a diamond in 18-year-old fly-half Ross Thompson.
The force has not been with Ayr yet this season. Dull at Meggetland last week and not much better against Hawks – they are struggling to build and maintain the sort of smothering momentum which has for so long been the hallmark of their game. Melrose next up – and something needs to change – quickly.
A second game (against Marr) which Heriots could, and maybe should, have won – but there are no prizes for ‘could’ or ‘should’. Phil Smith reckons: ‘We’re doing a lot of huffing and a lot of puffing but we’re not blowing any houses down’. They will be needing a stick of dynamite against Hawks next week.
After last week’s disappointment at The Greenyards, Steve Lawrie says that he saw some overall improvement in Watsonians play and structure against Currie – but he will be well aware that, having conceded ninety points in two games, there is some serious work needing to be done down Myreside way. Discipline was much improved, however – expedited, perhaps, by JD Jadezweni, the very impressive South African referee.
David has worked as a freelance rugby journalist since 2004 covering every level of the game in Scotland for publications including he Herald/Sunday Herald, The Sunday Times, The Telegraph, The Scotsman/Scotland on Sunday/Evening News, The Daily Record, The Daily Mail/Mail on Sunday and The Sun.
