PAUL CUNNINGHAM wears 15 after an outstanding performance for Musselburgh in their season-saving win over Jed-Forest at Stoneyhill, with Lewis Ferguson’s two-tries for Hawick against Heriot’s Blues earning him selection at No 14, and the elusive Luca Bardelli of GHA wearing No 11.
James Pinkerton‘s eye for a gap in a losing cause for Glasgow Hawks at Fullarton Park so is at outside-centre, while Marr’s Conor Bickerstaff produced a solid all-round showing with some some excellent touches and a try in the same match meaning he gets the nod at inside-centre, just ahead of Hawick’s Ethan Reilly.
Jamie Loomes‘ tactical kicking and accuracy off the tee when it really counted was a key difference as Edinburgh Accies scraped a home win over Selkirk so he is at stand-0ff, selected just ahead of the consistently solid Colin Sturgeon of Marr and Dom Martin of Heriot’s Blues. His half-back partner is Danny Owenson, who injured his ankle early but soldiered on to lead Musselburgh to victory over Jed, scoring the bonus-point try just after the break and we’ll forgive his unusually wayward place-kicking in the circumstances.
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Gordon Reid was a key man in a dominant front five effort which was the foundation of Marr’s home win over Glasgow Hawks and his classy offload created Calum Folan‘s try so wears No 1, while Fraser Renwick was once again a major contributor as Hawick kept on track for an unbeaten season so is named at hooker ahead of Paul Cairncross of Haaswks, and in the most keenly contested position this week, two-try Cairn Ramsay of Currie Chieftains squeezes in ahead of Musselburgh’s Neil McNairn – who also touched down twice – and Harry Meadows of Jed-Forest at tight-head prop,
Michael Badenhorst was like a man-possessed for Musselburgh, while Charlie Jupp‘s line-out work and carrying was key to keeping Heriot’s Blues in the match against Hawick, so they team up in the engine-room ahead of the unlucky to miss out David Andrew of Marr and Ewan Stewart of Currie Chieftains.
Paul Bogie of Musselburgh is blindside flanker, just ahead of Cameron Young of Marr and Ross Graham of Hawick. Sam Wallace of Heriot’s Blues is at openside ahead of Max Outram of Musselburgh and Selkirk’s Scott McClymont. Marr’s Ben Johnston completes the back-row triumvirate selected in front of opposite number Oscar Baird of Glasgow Hawks and Ruairi Campbell of Edinburgh Accies.
15. Paul Cunningham (Musselburgh)
14. Lewis Ferguson (Hawick)
13. James Pinkerton (Glasgow Hawks)
12. Conor Bickerstsaff (Marr)
11. Luca Bardelli (GHA)
10. Jamie Loomes (Edinburgh Accies)
9. Danny Owenson (Musselburgh)
1. Gordon Reid (Marr)
2. Fraser Renwick (Hawick)
3. Cairn Ramsay (Currie Chieftains)
4. Charlie Jupp (Heriot’s Blues)
5. Michael Badenhorst (Musselburgh)
6. Paul Bogie (Musselburgh)
7. Sam Wallace (Heriot’s Blues)
8. Ben Johnston (Marr)
