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Broughton and Penicuik traded places on Saturday as the visitors snatched a 8-18
win at Wardie.
A sizeable crowd turned up at Wardie to watch this
top of the table clash on a cold yet considerably sunny day.
In what was a bad day at the office for the home
side, a combination of ball retention issues & interesting referring decisions
helped hand the visitors top spot.
Both sides traded early penalties however it was
Broughton who scored the opening try after a rolling maul went over the Penicuik
line with Duncan Nicolson emerging with the ball in hand to record his 7th try
of the season.
Going in at half-time 8-3 to the good, Broughton
looked good to build on their lead but minutes after the restart a loose pass
outside the Penicuik 22 was intercepted and a try was scored under the Broughton
sticks which was converted to give the visitors a 8-10 lead, somewhat against
the run of play.
Broughton failed to capitalise on some great
possession in the visitors red zone midway through the second half and on 3
consecutive occasions the line-out was lost and attack soon turned to defence
and a fantastic try saving tackle by Hamish Martineau prevented the away side
from increasing their lead.
This reprieve was short lived however and quick
handling along the line from the Penicuik backs left substitute winger Andy
Dalgleish exposed and his opposite number took him on the outside to edge them
into a 8-15 lead.
A small altercation after a ruck outside the
Broughton 22 deep into the 2nd half ensued and the handbags were flying whilst
Broughton centre Gareth Payne broke away into space with the opponents try-line
beckoning which would have put the home side back into the game. However,
the match official deemed it necessary to bring the game to standstill and as he
walked over to the incident, the Penicuik loose-head fell to the ground in such
dramatic fashion that the police were almost called to hunt for the Wardie
sniper!! After a chat, no cards were shown but a penalty was given to the
visitors who duly converted to put the match out of reach at 8-18.
Positive action is now required by a Broughton
side who trail Penicuik at the top of table by 3 points, however we still have a
game in hand against Lasswade so regaining top spot is still within our reach.
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