PREM REVIEW | Watsonians win gruelling derby against Boroughmuir

The early exchanges were played in the middle of the park with both team’s defences looking strong.

Watsonians Lee Millar registered the first points after 15 minutes, converting an excellent long-range penalty.

It was the home side who were to score the first try of the game, following a lovely run through the heart of the defence by Lee Millar, his off-load in the tackle found the hands of full-back Josh Roland, with Millar adding the extras [10-0].

The visitors were firmly camped in the Watsonian 22 just before the break but couldn’t find the breakthrough. Millar’s boot extended Watsonians lead to 13 points with a penalty just before half-time.

Half time Watsonians 13 – 0 Boroughmuir

The second-half continued in the same vain as the first, with plenty of tackles being made by both sides and opportunities for points few and far between.

Boroughmuir’s hard work was eventually rewarded following a strong maul from a penalty – Rory Drummond coming from around the side to power over to score against his former club. Gavin Parker missed the conversion [13-5].

As hard as Boroughmuir tried for the final 26 minutes, they couldn’t break down their opponents. The home side were forced to make tackle after tackle, but did so impressively to close out a physical encounter in tough conditions [13-5].

The win for Watsonians puts them back into contention for a spot in the play offs.

Elsewhere in the Tennent’s Premiership, Heriot’s inflicted Ayr’s third defeat of the season with a 7-25 away win. Melrose now move into top-spot following a commanding win against Edinburgh Accademicals at Raeburn Place.

There were also victories for Currie Chieftains at home against Stirling County and a hard-fought triumph for Hawick on the road against Glasgow Hawks.

Teams

Watsonians: Josh Rowland; Andrew Chalmers, Rory Hutton, DJ Innes, Lomond MacPherson; Lee Millar, Murray Scott; Greg Jackson, Fraser Renwick, Jack Stanley, Jamie Hodgson, Craig Borthwick, James Miller, Ross Graham, Michael Fedo. Subs: Cammy Fenton, Finn Hobbis, Finlay Simpson, Harry Fisher, Ewan Fox.

Boroughmuir: Craig Gossman; Gavin Parker, Jordan Edmunds, Greg Cannie, Rory Arthur; Robin Weersma, Tom Wilson; Ross Dunbar, Johnny Matthews, Ryan Montgomery, Will Inglis, Stuart Smith, Senitiki Nayalo, Matt Walker, Craig Keddie. Subs: Dale Robertson, Aubrey Mncube, Rory Drummond, Murray Johnstone, Ben Renton.

Tennent’s Premier Results – 8 December

Glasgow Hawks RFC 7 – 10 Hawick RFC
Edinburgh Academical FC 17 – 48 Melrose RFC
Currie Chieftains 47 – 17 Stirling County RFC
Watsonian FC 13 – 5 Boroughmuir
Ayr RFC 7 – 25 Heriot’s