BOROUGHMUIR 14 WATSONIANS 23
Watsonians coach Steve Lawrie’s reaction was a combination of pleasure and relief. He had just seen his side take the honours against their near neighbours in an encounter that featured spells of scintillating rugby from two teams bristling with pace and enterprise.
The high-paced affair showed both sides at their ambitious best and, ultimately, the visitors owed the win to being more clinical in sight of the line and steely during lengthy spells on defensive chores.
By contrast, the hosts were unable to finish off two giltedged moves and they were generally less composed inside the opposition 22. It was a mature performance. It was by no means perfect so there is loads to work on.
“But it was a really important victory, we really needed it,” said Lawrie, whose side had suffered defeats in each of the previous two matches.
Darcy Graham, released by Edinburgh and lively throughout the match, opened the scoring for Watsonians and Lee Millar converted before kicking three penalties for a 16-7 lead at the break. Craig Keddie touched down for the home side and Tom Wilson adding the extras.
A sustained ten-minute pummelling of the Watsonians defence at the start of the second half failed to produce a breakthrough for Boroughmuir and the visitors increased their advantage when their captain, Craig Borthwick, emerged from a heap of bodies after a powerful surge following a close-range lineout. Millar again converted and the match appeared to be over.
However, home hopes of taking something from the game were raised when Jordan Edmunds raced in for a try with four minutes to play and Greg Cannie converted.
Boroughmuir were immediately on the offensive looking for more but the Watsonians defence held firm and they saw out the final moments to clinch the win.
Home coach Peter Wright was satisfied at the number of opportunities his players had fashioned, but summed up his frustration by saying: “We created four or five decent chances and we didn’t finish. At this level of rugby you don’t get a lot of chances so you have to finish them off.”