Heriot’s hit Boroughmuir with shattering comeback

If, AS looks increasingly likely, Boroughmuir are relegated from the top flight in the coming weeks, they will look back on this game as another one that got away.

Boroughmuir 22 - 23 Heriot’s

Scorers: Boroughmuir – Tries: Bradford (2), Wilson. Pen: Warnock. Cons: Warnock (2). Heriot’s – Tries: Wilson, Penn, Goudie. Pens: Wilson (2). Con: Wilson.

Leading 22-3 with 30 minutes to go, the hosts were flying and the crowd were really getting behind them.

Then prop Jonny Latta, who was putting in a good shift, was sin-binned and Heriot’s took 
advantage and the momentum of the game changed.

The men from Goldenacre, who had looked sluggish up to that point, grabbed tries through captain Graham Wilson and full-back Mike Penn while they had the extra man.

That made it 22-15 and a Wilson penalty was then followed by a cracking try by winger Colin Goudie, set up by a great run by Edinburgh man Penn, to win it for the visitors.

The sight of ‘Muir players lying on the pitch in despair told its own story at the end. Once again they had dominated large patches of a match and not killed it off. Heriot’s, on the other hand, edged closer to a British & Irish Cup spot for next term, but know they will need to improve when they play Currie away in their last match of the season on 23 March.

In the first half, Boroughmuir really came out of the blocks with great intent and, after an early penalty by stand-off Ally Warnock, they went 8-0 up when winger Ross Bradford scored a try.

A Wilson penalty reduced the arrears before Bradford again went over and it was 15-3 at the break.

Centre Stevie Wilson then showed some quick thinking in the 44th minute to go over for a try and give ‘Muir a 19-point lead before the game turned on its head.

Boroughmuir: R Cairns; R Bradford, K Buchan, S Wilson, J Edmunds; A Warnock, D Reekie; N Fraser, M Brown, J Latta, G Scott, A Davidson, J Achilles, J Swanson, N Rodger. Subs used: P Richards, A MacLeod.

Heriot’s: M Penn; H Boisseau, M Learmonth, R Carmichael, C Goudie; G Wilson, OJ Brown; C Owenson, K Bryce, S Cessford, B Morrisey, R Nimmo, F Brown, J Syme, C Mulligan. Subs used: N Borrell, J Parker, CJ Osazuwa, C Ferguson.

Referee: I Heard.