Muir's double trouble

BOROUGHMUIR..15 KELSO...40

FACING Second Division opposition on their own patch in the semi- final of the Cup, with the dual aim of a Murrayfield final and Premiership safety dangling tantalisingly under their noses, it should have a glorious romp on an autumnal Edinburgh afternoon for Boroughmuir yesterday.

It is difficult, however, to conceive how the day could have gone worse for Sean Lineen's men. As if being thrashed by John Jeffrey's young side at Meggetland wasn't bad enough, even worse was to come when they found that West of Scotland had scored a fourth try four minutes into injury time against Currie at Malleny Park, the 19- point margin of victory and the bonus point consigning Boroughmuir to Division Two rugby next season unless there is a reorganisation of the Leagues or action over the fact that Currie fielded only seven regular first-teamers. Just two hours earlier, the auguries had been so, so different as the losing cup finalists of the past two years found themselves in contention. It had been difficult to read the runes; not only was this cup business but the Boroughmuir victory over Hawick last week, coupled with Kelso's indifferent record in Edinburgh, suggested that the home side might just have the edge. On the other hand, the Kelso buses had turned up in numbers and their support, which has seen the side bow the knee to Gala last week in a very competitive game, was now focused on other matters; Kelso were up for the cup. And Murrayfield will be the venue for their appointment with Gala in three weeks' time after putting Boroughmuir to the sword by five tries to two. "Inspirational stuff," said the billboards, and there was much to enthuse about in a rollicking game which Kelso set about winning from the word go when Graeme Aitchison kicked the first of his set of penalties and dropped goals. And when their big lock Charlie Rutherford plunged over from a short penalty a few minutes later with Aitchison converting, the writing was on the wall. It was not that Muir lacked possession; it was not that Calvin Howarth had an off day with his boot; it was not that they were short on commitment. It was simply that Kelso were the better drilled and organised side, possessing Stewart Bennet's vital pace around the critical fringes, the exemplary play-making and kicking of Aitchison and the lethal finishing of the Kelso hat-trick hero, Kosie Alberts, whose national colours may be the green and gold of South Africa but who is now an honourary Borderer. The huge and vociferous visiting support acclaimed these splendid scores, the first of which came after 30 minutes when Alberts fed his right wing Steve Ross after turnover ball and took the return pass from well out to romp home. Only seven minutes later, he repeated the dose after a slashing break by Kevin Utterson - a livewire throughout - to go in after recycled possession. Aitchison's conversion had well and truly set out the Kelso stall 22-3 at half time. But the South African was also instrumental in providing Ross with his side's fourth try when his floated pass set the wing free to stretch the visitors' lead to 30-3. It was all over despite Muir's valiant efforts and late tries from Ally Cadzow from close range, and the always dangerous Howarth. The last word, however, belonged to the full-back from Natal who took early and well-won ruck ball - a feature of the Kelso effort - and to go over unhindered as Muir looked on in virtual disbelief. This famous victory founded on old-fashioned virtues said a great deal about community, identity and application - lessons from which Scottish rugby can surely learn.

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