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Thankfully for watsoniansrugby.com, Gary Heatly's busy workload seem to coincide with some of the 1st XV games, long may it continue:
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Boroughmuir 29 Watsonians 20
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Coach Cammy Mather and his troops will be wondering just how this Capital derby got away from them, Boroughmuir scoring two tries in the last ten minutes to keep up their unbeaten start to the Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership Division One season.
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'Sonians had dominated large parts of the game at Meggetland but made basic errors at crucial times to let the home side off the hook. Indeed, to rub salt into the wounds the visitors did not even take a losing bonus point from the encounter and injuries were sustained by props Kian Coertze (ankle) and Andrew Welsh (shoulder).
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Watsonians started brighter and Andrew Skeen, preferred to Mike Ker at stand-off, knocked over a penalty to make it 3-0 after 12 minutes.
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Centre Elgan O'Donnell got a penalty of his own to level things up 11 minutes later and 'Sonians were made to pay in the 10 minutes before the break. Skipper Will Rowley was in the sin-bin and Boroughmuir scored the game's first two tries.
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O'Donnell and Captain Rory Couper were the scorers, O'Donnell converting one.
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Half-time - Boroughmuir 15 Watsonians 3
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Skeen reduced the arrears to 15-6 with another penalty after the break and from then on 'Sonians found their feet in an attacking sense mainly thanks to the promptings of the former Berwick man.
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He booted a kick forward in the 50th minute after taking a quick tap and when it was missed by winger Rohan Steyl the bounce took it towards Skeen who gathered and galloped under the posts. He also converted and it was 15-13 to the Meggetland men.
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Seven minutes later winger Ali Rowe got the try his committed and skilful performance deserved, a kinking run enough to take 'Albert' past the defence and over the line. Skeen again converted and it was 20-15 to 'Sonians.
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They had shown great fighting spirit to get back in front but, with the home crowd roaring them on, 'Muir knew they were still in the game.
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The home charges took back the ascendancy in the 71st minute, their best player on the day, Steve Ruddick scoring and converting a try. Skeen will have a few sleepless nights about what happened next, missing two drop goal attempts and a tough penalty chance.
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Nevertheless, Watsonians only had themselves to blame for not getting more points on the board earlier and 'Muir sealed victory in the final minute, prop Freddie Lait crashing over, converted by Ruddick.
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Full-time - Boroughmuir 29 Watsonians 20
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A disappointing day, no doubt about it, but a great game of rugby and it is clear that this league is going to go the distance. Watsonians now must beat Melrose on Saturday at Myreside to get back on the winning trail.
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Man of the match - Hooker Gregor Wood had his best game for the club in the loose. Skeen and Rowe also did well.
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Scorers: Watsonians: Tries: Skeen, Rowe. Pens: Skeen 2. Cons: Skeen 2.
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Watsonians: S Stumbles; A Rowe, D Brown, M Mailo, R Steyl; A Skeen, E Howe; K Traynor, G Wood, A Welsh, T Callander, J Nicolson, W Lipp, W Rowley (captain), J Pelter. Subs used: K Coertze, J Abraham, N Hart. Not used: M Ker, S Paulo.
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GH
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watsoniansrugby.com
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Published: 1/10/07
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