THE sensational try-scoring feats of Craig Robertson (who bagged six touchdowns for Heriot’s against Edinburgh Accies) and Ben Robbins (who helped himself to five for Currie Chieftains against Hawick) makes them the first two names on the team-sheet this week, on left and right wings respectively.
Kyle Rowe of Ayr is unlucky to miss out after another electrifying performance and two tries in his team’s victory over Stirling County; as is Jordan Edmunds of Boroughmuir, who had 16 carries and five tackle-breaks.
Robertson and Robbins are joined in the back three by a familiar Dream Team member in Fraser Thomson of Melrose, who created one try and scored another to underline his ongoing value to the Greenyards men as they look to retain the Premiership title.
Joe Reynolds was another stand-out with the ball in hand for Chieftains so gets the outside centre sport, edging in ahead of Ewan Mcgarvie of Stirling County; while Rob Kay only managed 30 minutes for Heriot’s in their demolition of Edinburgh Accies but that was enough to set his stamp on the game, and he has performed consistently well for the Goldenacre men all season.
Frazier Climo ran the show masterfully for, especially in the second-half, so gets the number ten jersey; while Murdo McAndrew edges in ahead of his rivals to be selected at scrum-half.
Steven Longwell put in another huge performance for Ayr at prop, swapping from loose-head to tight-head and back again without trouble, but he started at loose-head so is selected there; with his club-mate Euan McLaren at tight-head.
Johnny Matthews, who was a huge ball-carrier for Boroughmuir and scored the dramatic late try which secured their win against Glasgow Hawks, is at hooker.
Angus Runciman and James Head put in huge shifts in the Melrose second-row, but the latter of that pair misses out on selection on the rather tenuous basis that he picked up a yellow-card, with Mike Vernel of Currie Chieftains getting the nod instead.
Glasgow Hawks youngster Struan Dow made more tackles than any other player in the league (24) and was part of a ferocious team effort at the breakdown to earn selection at blindside flanker, with Iain Wilson’s consistent excellence (23 tackles) for Heriot’s earning him the open-side slot, and Boroughmuir’s Rory Drummond edging it ahead of Jason Hill of Heriot’s, Blair Macpherson of Ayr and Hamilton Burr of Stirling County at number eight.
Last weekend’s Tennent’s Premiership match reports –
Tennent’s Premiership: Robbins runs riot as Chieftains put Hawick to the sword
Tennent’s Premiership: Melrose reassert title credentials against disappointing Watsonians
Tennent’s Premiership: Robertson bags six as Heriot’s blow Accies away
Tennent’s Premiership: Boroughmuir’s dramatic finale breaks Hawks’ hearts
Tennent’s Premiership: Ayr stretch away after tense first half against County
15. Fraser Thomson (Melrose)
14. Ben Robbins (Currie Chieftains)
13. Joe Reynolds (Currie Chieftains)
12. Robert Kay (Heriot’s)
11. Craig Robertson (Heriot’s)
10. Frazier Climo (Ayr)
9. Murdo McAndrew (Melrose)
1. Steven Longwell (Ayr)
2. Johnny Matthews (Boroughmuir)
3. Euan McLaren (Ayr)
4. Angus Runciman (Melrose)
5. Mike Vernel (Currie Chieftains)
6. Struan Dow (Glasgow Hawks)
7. Iain Wilson (Heriot’s)
8. Rory Drummond (Boroughmuir)