East Lothian Courier | Sport | Last day Burgh safe from drop with emphatic victory

Saturday, 17th May, 2008

Published: Thursday, 10th April, 2008 09:35

Last day Burgh safe from drop with emphatic victory

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Musselburgh 30 v 19 Hillhead/Jordanhill

MUSSELBURGH ensured Premier Division Two survival after this impressive win last Saturday against fellow strugglers Hillhead/Jordanhill at Stoneyhill.

On 15 minutes, following a scrum, all the backs were involved in a move that put the visitors’ Mitchell in for a score.

Musselburgh looked to hit back. A clearance was charged down by Monaghan nine minutes later and he touched down to level the scores. Walls converted to make the half-time score 7-5.

Morrison came on for Simms as a snow storm arrived and sent some spectators rushing to find shelter.

A Leitch chip sent O’Hagan and Urquhart on a run in the 43rd minute from which Burgh won a penalty. Walls slotted the award.

Musselburgh claimed the kick-off and won a scrum. Morrison took possession and passed to Leitch who cleared.

Some good play from Hills saw him avoid tackles from McCulloch and Witko. But Burgh won the ball and Easton cleared.

Burgh won a 50th minute penalty, and Walls made no mistake to make it 13–5.

Musselburgh were now opening up. From a lineout Easton and Monaghan put Morrison over and Walls converted.

Leitch cleared the Hills kick-off and Burgh won a scrum. But the visitors regained possession and were rewarded for their pressure.

Twaddle went over and converted to make the score 20 – 12.

As the game entered the final quarter, the visitors were looking for another score that would signal a comeback was well and truly on.

Musselburgh, on the other hand, were looking for the score that would put clear blue water between them and the visitors.

But it was the home side who prevailed. With 15 minutes to go, they moved further in front.

Following a Hillhead scrum, Cook played soccer with a loose ball and won the race to touch down. But the conversion was wide.

The visitors’ kick-off was claimed by Morrison, he fed Easton who cleared. Hillhead attacked through McCartney and Bell as Slaven replaced Walker for Burgh.

Resilient Musselburgh defence kept the visitors at bay and Leitch punted clear from a Morrison pass.

Burgh added the bonus point with four minutes to go.

From a lineout, Monaghan powered over to make it 30-12. But the conversion slipped wide (30 –12).

Doig replaced Easton with two minutes remaining.

The visitors had the final word when Paterson ran in from 40 metres.

Twaddle converted to make the final score 30-19.

This was a great performance by the Musselburgh players in a ‘must-win’ situation.

The end of season survival battle took its toll on the Burgh squad, with a lengthy injury list.

Credit must be given to the young players who came in at a difficult time.

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