A FAIR bit of competition once again at full-back this week with youngster Fraser Snedden emerging with credit from a tough second half for Aberdeen against Marr, James Ferguson a threat from the back for Musselburgh versus Currie Chieftains, and Henry Bithray also making his mark for Selkirk against GHA, but Liam Brims gets the nod for the way he has added a new dimension to Glasgow Hawks’ game since switching from 10 to 15.
Richard Dalgleish scored two tries and was dangerous every time he got his hands on the ball for Marr so merits selection in the No 14 jersey, while his opposite number, Craig Shepherd of Aberdeen Grammar, showed a fair turn of pace and took his try well so is on the other wing.
Andrew Mitchell of Hawick streaked to the top of the try-charts with his hat-trick at Jed-Forest so wears the No 13 jersey, while Ryan Southern‘s hard-running and try was key to Currie Chiefatains’ second half revival against Musselburgh.
He may have been on the losing side, but Musselburgh scrum-half Danny Owenson showed his full range of attributes: slick service, smart thinking that produced a try and, of course, one of the most reliable boots in the league against Chieftains, while his half-back partner Freddie Roddick‘s incisive running caused all sorts of problems for the opposition defence and he took his try well. An honourable mention goes to Jed’s No 9 Nik Stingl.
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Glasgow Hawks’ scrum was under pressure early on but steadied up when Lyall Archer came off the bench at loose-head (with Gary Strain moving to right-head) after about half an hour, and with the former Highland man also making a big impact in the loose – including a lung-busting break which set up Max Priestly‘s try – the Balgray men didn’t look back. Hawick’s Shawn Muir was, almost inevitably, a strong contender.
Matty Carryer has been one of the most consistent performers in the league this season and was at the heart of the action as Hawick muscled their way to a tenth consecutive win on the bounce in the league at Jed, and tight-head prop Colin Arthur helped set the tone early on with a couple of thumping runs as Musselburgh nearly caused a major upset against Currie Chieftains.
Jamie McCarthy was man-of-the-match in a losing cause for GHA at Philiphaugh to earn a place in the engine-room alongside the excellent Fraser Grant of Marr, who was at the heart of the action as Marr blew away their first half cobwebs with a resounding second period to bring up the half century in Aberdeen, with the excellent Andy Kirkland just missing out on this occasion.
At blindside flanker, teenager Hamish Ferguson has worked hard on his game in this first season of senior rugby and looks a great prospect, with his last-ditch try salvaging an important – some might say fortuitous – win for Currie Chieftains at Stoneyhill. Fraser Christie was a key component in an all action back-row as Hawks picked up that vital win over Accies at Raeburn Place so is at open-side, and the predatory Benedict Grant is at No 8 after scoring a hat-trick for Marr in Aberdeen.
That means Hawks’ back-row pairing of Ryan Sweeney and Stephen Leckey, Selkirk duo Scott McClymont and Ewan MacDougall miss out, Callum Renwick of Hawick and Jed veteran Michael Weekley all miss out.
15. Liam Brims (Glasgow Hawks)
14. Richard Dalgleish (Marr)
13. Andrew Mitchell (Hawick)
12. Ryan Southern (Currie Chieftains)
11. Craig Shepherd (Aberdeen Grammar)
10. Freddie Roddick (Musselburgh)
9. Danny Owenson (Musselburgh)
1. Lyall Archer (Glasgow Hawks)
2. Matty Carryer (Hawick)
3. Colin Arthur (Musselburgh)
4. Jamie McCarthy (GHA)
5. Fraser Grant (Marr)
6. Hamish Ferguson (Currie Chieftains)
7. Fraser Christie (Glasgow Hawks)
8.Benedict Grant (Marr)