SHAWN MUIR of Hawick is at loose-head after making a phenomenal 19 carries and completing 12 tackles with a 100 per cent completion rate against Melrose, although he did concede five penalties. Ruairidh Sayce of Ayr is unlucky to miss out.
Johnny Matthews, who not only scored two tries for Boroughmuir in their impressive victory over Currie Chieftains, but also waged in with 23 tackles (joint most in the league) and 13 tackles, is at hooker; with an honourable mention going to Ali Johnstone for his barnstorming second half – including two tries – against Glasgow Hawks
Ayr’s pack pulverised Edinburgh Accies into submission at Millbrae and Steven Longwell is at tight-head in recognition of his key role in that. His team-mate, the consistently excellent David Corbenici, has been one of the discoveries of the season having joined the league pace-setters from GHA during the close season, and he earns a berth in the engine-room, alongside James Pow of Stirling County
This week’s Tennent’s Premiership match reports –
Tennent’s Premiership: Watsonians get the better of close contest with County
Tennent’s Premiership: Heriot’s go third as Hawks’ indiscipline proves costly
Tennent’s Premiership: Ayr back to winning ways over struggling Edinburgh Accies
Tennent’s Premiership: Boroughmuir hit top form at last to see off Chieftains
Tennent’s Premiership: much-improved Hawick pay the penalty as Melrose prevail in the scrum
Martin Hughes of Heriot’s is at blindside with 18 tackles and seven carries against Glasgow Hawks.
Rory Darge made 23 tackles for Melrose in their victory over Hawick to edge out 21 tackle Jack McLean of Heriot’s and Connor Boyle of Watsonians at open-side.
Similarly, Watsonians’ tight victory over Stirling County owed much to their determined defence in the second half and Michael Fedo, with 21 tackles, was central to that, so he is at number eight – although it should be noted that Rory Drummond did make a strong case with 22 carries for Boroughmuir.
Alex Ball retains the number nine jersey having touched down twice for Heriot’s in their 45-21 home win over Glasgow Hawks, making it five tries in two weeks after getting his chance to start thanks to Andrew Simmer’s ankle injury. Lee Armstrong has been an inspirational character for Hawick in recent weeks and he was at it again this weekend at The Greenyards so is handed the 10 jersey, getting the nod just ahead of Greg Cannie of Boroughmuir, Liam Brims of Glasgow Hawks and Lee Millar of Watsonians.
Stuart Edwards brought all his experience to bear in the middle of the park at inside-centre for Heriot’s, while Will Wardlaw at outside-centre for Boroughmuir ran hard and direct to really apply pressure on Chieftains when their defence was stretched, and scored a try for good measure.
Jordan Edmunds did some damage up the left touchline for Boroughmuir, assisting the first try through great acceleration and an excellent chip ahead which was gathered by Craig Gossman, and scoring himself at the start of the second half, prompting the onslaught of four scores which led to a 41-17 victory over a Currie Chieftains team which started the weekend in third place and on a fine run of form. Rory Steele was a busy boy on the other wing for Watsonians against Stirling County, getting his hands on the ball 25 times in an fine all-round performance.
Grant Anderson‘s excellent season for Ayr continued with another commanding performance in his team’s straight forward win over struggling Edinburgh Accies, including an excellently effortless try; but James Couper put in a tremendous performance against the odds for Glasgow Hawks against Heriot’s so get’s the full-back jersey.
15. James Couper (Glasgow Hawks)
14. Rory Steele (Watsonians)
13. Will Wardlaw (Boroughmuir)
12. Stuart Edwards (Heriot’s)
11. Jordan Edmunds (Boroughmuir)
10. Lee Armstrong (Hawick)
9. Alex Ball (Heriot’s)
1. Shawn Muir (Hawick)
2. Johnny Matthews (Boroughmuir)
3. Steven Longwell (Ayr)
4. David Corbenici (Ayr)
5. James Pow (Stirling County)
6. Martin Hughes (Heriot’s)
7. Rory Darge (Melrose)
8. Michael Fedo (Watsonians)
Congratulations Lee and Shawn, not easy getting in there from a team that has lost.
Having been at the game,I’m assuming James Couper’s numerous line breaks and yardage gained was what caught the eye! Don’t remember much from the winger,McCready. Proud Dad yes but come on guys?!
Our apologies. Our student reporter at the game does not seem to have properly checked the programme team-sheet against the official team-sheet so we had the wrong name at full-back. Your son has now been installed in the team. We do not, however, recognise your interpretation Jack McCready’s performance – he had a number of good breaks in the first half.
It was James Couper playing at full back for Hawks on Saturday. Strawberry blond hair!!
Jack McCready,dark hair, on wing!!
John, you’re a bit of a chopper.