NB dominated the opening exchanges and following a scrum just inside the Boroughmuir half went into the lead as Lachlan Stewart scythed through the opposition midfield to score out wide. Boroughmuir then started to come back into the game and were slowly starting to gain the upper hand up front and scored a good equalising try.
The game continued to be pretty even however with the NB outside backs putting in a great defensive shift their pressure eventually paid off as Findlay Graham took advantage of a loose ball on the half way line to outpace the covering wing and full back and run in under the posts with Michael Hagan making the extras
NB then upped the pace and were unlucky not to go further ahead after great work from Matt Hogg and Mac Jerome set up Mike Dean who was eventually bundled into touch 1 metre out following a fantastic cover tackle by an opposition player

HT 12-5

It has to be said that the 2nd half was a disappointing affair for NB. The team failed to adapt to the change of tactics by Boroughmuir who realised that there was no way round the NB backs so they started to run straighter and tighter looking for support with an offloading game that eventually paid dividends with a try that was converted. As the pressure increased the NB forwards discipline started to go and a number of penalties for dissent were given away. This culminated in a yellow card for one of the NB front row players for a scuffle with his opposite number. To be fair the Boroughmuir player was probably lucky to not also be sin binned however it meant that NB were down to 14 men and Boroughmuir made the most of this advantage to take the lead for the first time in the game with a converted try.
No sooner had NB got back to 15 men then they conceded a controversial penalty try and another yellow card. There then followed a sermon under the posts by Coach McKay on the need to “stop moaning and just get on with the game!” and to their credit they did and almost scored with the last move of the game as Alex McKay was bought down inches short of the line after a sharp break.

FT 12-26

There was no lack of effort and particularly in the first half there was some fantastic play by all the boys. It was also great to see a good number of local boys who don’t attend the High School taking part and more than playing their part. However in the end a combination of a lack of discipline, some technical deficiencies at the breakdown and a lesson by the opposition in how to adapt your game plan cost NB a game that was there for the taking.
Thanks must go to Doug Slater for reffing, Boroughmuir for travelling out to play us and also the Club for providing the post match food which was well received by all
Onwards and upward! Hopefully we will get some more games arranged but as it stands next game up is Cork Constitution at the end of March

Duncan McKay