Heriot’s 27-27 Currie: Pulsating game ends all square

By WILLIAM PAUL
Published on 21/10/2012 01:24

Currie scored three tries to two but couldn’t shake off a determined Heriot’s team who might have won it at the end if Graham Wilson’s conversion attempt hadn’t drifted just wide of the post, writes 
William Paul at Goldenacre.

It was hard on stand-off and skipper Wilson and his team because he had been inch-perfect with every other place kick, a first conversion and five penalties.

Ultimately, however, both sides were happy with a share of the points in a rumbustious game, packed with excitement and incident, some hefty collisions and some silky running rugby.

The Heriot’s pack took a while to build up a head of steam but then dominated the set piece while the back rows scrapped each other to a standstill at the breakdown.

There were four yellow cards – one for Heriot’s and three in the second half for Currie – that might have dictated the outcome. But it was when Currie were down to 13 men that they scored their second try to regain a lead they had maintained for most of the match. The lead then see-sawed, returning to Heriot’s with a Wilson penalty, going back to Currie as Scotland U20 lock Johnny Gray bulldozed his way over, and then almost going back to Heriot’s as No.8 Jason Hill provided a beautiful off-load that allowed lock Russell Nimmo to sprint in, leaving Wilson with the kind of bread and butter kick he usually knocks over without trouble. He missed.

Heriot’s coach Phil Smith said: “Our game plan worked well and it is a good result against one of the main title contenders. It will give us a wee edge going into the second half of the season.”