East 1: Broughton chop down Forrester with eight try win

]With player unavailability and injury, Coach Richie Todd called upon his cavalry to step up to the plate against a Forrester side going into the match on an undefeated high.

The home side carried on where they left off seven days previously in Dunbar with a opening score within the first five minutes of the match, Will Waller going under the uprights offering Gavin William the easiest of opportunities to split them after.

Broughton's lead was short lived however when a turnover in midfield saw Forrester draw level with a converted try of their own.

A quick fire double whammy then saw light appear between the sides.

Straight from the the kick off, Broughton collected the ball and after some rather fine forwards and backs interaction, pacey Prop Kevin McArthur found himself with ball on the wing. Using his experience, the veteran front rower saw him draw his man before sending Robbie Robertson into space. The playmaker showed off his twinkle-toed prowess and turn of pace to bag Broughton's second try of the afternoon.

Perhaps Coach Todd had the lads on 'restarts' training in midweek, as yet another was plucked from the blue North Edinburgh sky. Strong running lines from Dan Farquhar, George Steedman and Craig Wishart together with Jamie Blackwood, Gav Tanish and Dan Smith dynamic handling saw Will Waller make a fantastic break down his wing before outfoxing his man to score under the posts for Gavin William to slot his second kick of the day.

Both teams then exchanged scores in an exciting end to end opening stanza. Forrester's dangerous pack causing some problems and they found a gap in the largely resolute Broughton defence to score. However, parity was restored when Robbie Robertson had the freedom of Wardie to notch up his brace. Andrew Tanish was on hand to add the conversion.

Broughton Captain Craig Wishart will be been dining out for a while on the back of his great solo try after the proverbial oranges at the interval. The talismanic No.8 broke through at plethora of tackles to run in to the delight of the home support from 20 meters out. Tanish added the extras.

Forrester were determined to show the fightback that saw them turn round their half time deficit and beat Livingston last time out. The green onslaught up the slope saw Broughton defend with vigour. Unfortunately for Jamie Blackwood he was pinged for an alleged transgression near the posts and a penalty try was awarded before Blackwood took time on the touchline for his efforts.

Despite their numerical advantage, Forrester were unable to turn players into points and for 10 tough minutes, Broughton brought their defensive 'A-game' to the party and led 31-21 as the game when into its final stages.

Back to their full compliment, Broughton managed to build a series of phases to send Robbie Robertson over for his hat-trick try. Tanish's trusty boot making it a converted score.

Newbie Frazer Wallace then showed fast hands to unleashed George Steedman. The galloping Gazelle (Gazebo, surely - Ed) scattered players as if he was a wrecking ball to set up Dan Smith who promptly found his way to the try line. Tanish once again executing the kick.

The score seemed to finally put paid to any Forresters comeback. The visitors crime count continued to add up as penalties were conceded with some regularity. Tanish this time making sure and added three instead of the regulatory two this time round.

With the pies already in the oven, their was still enough gas in the Tainsh tank as Andrew out-paced by now by-standers on the field to secure the final try of the afternoon. The final kick of the afternoon put the conversion cherry on the cake to give Broughton an empathic 57-21 victory.

After the match, a delighted Head Coach said, "I couldn't be happier with the performance that the guys have put. Before the match there was a great buzz around the changing room, something that has been building up on the back of the wins recently. We hit the ground running and competed from the very first to the last second of the game. I asked the guys for 5pts and they delivered it.

"Naturally I'm disappointed that we found ourselves once again playing part of the game with a man on the sideline but fair credit to his teammates who showed great heart and resolve to hold out during a sustained period of pressure. Forresters are a good side and at times had us really stretched today. They played very well in the tight, were physical and they run a good lineout too."

"For my guys, there has been a marked improvement in our play each week and we'll take our momentum forward into next week's game - another decidedly tough match against Livingston who we are neck and neck with in the table. "

Updated 17:40 - 1 Sep 2019 by Mark Brown