We report from the FOSROC Super6 match as Watsonians defeat Boroughmuir Bears to make it five wins from five…
Watsonians withheld a tough Boroughmuir Bears challenge to stay unbeaten in the FOSROC Super6 on Sunday and lift the Allan McNish Memorial Trophy.
The visitors went into the match with an 18-10 first leg McNish lead and in the end this 30-20 triumph gave them a 48-30 aggregate win and allowed Val McNish to present the trophy to captain Lee Millar.
Make no bones about it though, this was a very tricky match and ‘Muir scored four tries to pick up a losing bonus point.
A Millar penalty put ‘Sonians 3-0 up early on before an unconverted try from Glasgow pro Johnny Matthews put the home side ahead.
Back-row Mesu Kunavula, the Edinburgh Fijian pro, had started the game well and he scored his first try for Watsonians, converted by Millar, for 10-5.
A clearance kick was then charged down by the Bears second-row Callum Atkinson who dived on the ball for an unconverted try.
A converted try in the 38th minute by loosehead prop Harrison Courtney, who also scored in the first game versus the Bears, made it 17-10.
However, the game continued to ebb and flow and ‘Muir kept the ball alive for many minutes after the half-time hooter. Watsonians second-row Jamie Hodgson was yellow carded and Matthews’ second try made it 17-15 at the break.
A Millar penalty while the team had 14 men made it 20-15 before a well-worked ‘Muir try finished by winger Cammy Gray made it 20-20.
Watsonians resolve was being tested again, but once again they had the answers.
A Millar penalty and then a converted try on debut for winger Ruaraidh Smith, the former Currie Chieftains and Scotland under-20 man, won it 30-20.
The result leaves Watsonians top of the table while back-row Connor Boyle was named FOSROC player of the match fir the second week in a row.
Watsonians: Jamie Forbes; Lomond MacPherson, Lewis Berg, Andrew Chalmers, Ruaraidh Smith; Lee Millar (C), Ali Harris; Harrison Courtney, Cal Davies, Nathan Borel, Brian Leitch, Jamie Hodgson, Mesu Kunavula, Connor Boyle, Morgan Inness (VC). Subs: Campbell Wilson, Finn Hobbis, Jonny Gibson, Michael Badenhorst, Harry Fisher, Murray Scott, Ewan Fox, Angus Guthrie.
Scorers: Tries: Kunavula, Courtney, Smith. Pens: Millar 3. Cons: Millar 3.
FOSROC Super6 weekend results
Saturday, December 14
Ayrshire Bulls 30 Stirling County 8
Heriot’s 22 Southern Knights 16
Sunday, December 15
Boroughmuir Bears 20 Watsonians 30
Get along to Millbrae and watch the Super6 team play away to the Ayrshire Bulls on Saturday at 3pm
Words by Gary Heatly
Images by Graham Gaw, more here
