HOOKER was perhaps the most keenly contested position this week, with Edinburgh Accies’ Sean Crombie, Hawick’s Matt Carryer, Glasgow Hawks’ Jack Gemmell and Marr’s Curran McMillan all making really strong claims for selection, but in the end it was Currie Chieftains’ Roy Vucago – prominent in both attack and defence against Jed-Forest – who got the nod.
He is joined in the front-row by team-mate Reece Patterson, who came off the bench around the 30 minute mark after six months out with a shoulder injury and galvanised the team’s set-piece, and Musselburgh loose-head Craig Owenson, who really bolstered the Stoneyhill side’s pack on his return from injury.
Daniel Suddon had a huge game in the boiler-house for Hawick as the resurrected their faltering season with an impressive away win against Aberdeen Grammar, with William Fleming lining up alongside him in this week’s Dream Team, while Sione Halafihi of Glasgow Hawks made it a tight call.
Michael Maltman of Musselburgh, Chris Thomson of Edinburgh Accies and Mike Ryan of GHA, Stephen Leckey of Glasgow Hawks and Mackenzie Pearce of Marr can all consider themselves unfortunate to be edged out at blindside flanker by Hawick’s excellent Jae Linton. The the consistently impressive Jamie Sole of Edinburgh Accies gets the open-side berth despite his early yellow-carding, and Benedict Grant of Marr is at No 8 after making some important hard yards as the league leaders managed to keep their winning run intact.
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Married life seems to be good for Paddy Boyer‘s rugby with the scrum-half having returned from his honeymoon to play a key role in Glasgow Hawks’ gritty win away to Hawick last time out and then picking up a man-of-the-match award after an energetic performance as the Balgray men pushed league-leaders Marr all the way on Saturday.
His half-pack partner was in the opposition ranks with the consistently classy Colin Sturgeon holding his nerve to orchestrate his team’s late drive to victory, and it was is two late penalties which ultimately got his side over the line. That means the equally classy Gregor Hunter of Currie Chieftains misses out in this instance.
Neil Armstrong of Edinburgh Accies and and Grant Mollison of GHA form the centre partnership this week, with Andrew Mitchell of Hawick, Robbie Yourston of Jed-Forest and Conor Bickerstaff of Marr all missing on this occasion.
Musselburgh’s busy winger Gregor Tait wears the No 11 jersey and Henry Bithray of Selkirk is the No14, just ahead of Murray Godsman of Glasgow Hawks, while Jed’s Lewis Young completes the back three.
This weekend’s Premiership reports:
Aberdeen Grammar v Hawick: Borderers bounce back with morale-boosting win
Jed-Forest v Currie Chieftains: defence is key to away team’s victory
Musselburgh v GHA: gritty home win opens up battle at the bottom
Glasgow Hawks v Marr: leaders leave it late to snatch the win
Edinburgh Accies pick up a bonus-point win in Border raid
15. Lewis Young (Jed-Forest)
14. Henry Bithray (Selkirk)
13. Grant Mollison (GHA)
12. Neil Armstrong (Edinburgh Accies)
11. Gregor Tait (Musselburgh)
10. Colin Sturgeon (Marr)
9. Paddy Boyer (Glasgow Hawks)
1. Craig Owenson (Musselburgh)
2. Roy Vucago (Currie Chieftains)
3. Reece Patterson (Currie Chieftains)
4. Daniel Suddon (Hawick)
5. William Fleming (Musselburgh)
6. Jae Linton (Hawick)
7. Jamie Sole (Edinburgh Accies)
8. Benedict Grant (Marr)