Big win for Reds at home to St Boswell's RFC

The Reds were back in action at home last weekend, welcoming St Boswell’s RFC to Bladnoch Park on a sunny but cold afternoon. The squad continue to miss a few players due to injury, all forwards unfortunately, but with the talismanic Ewan Dewar stepping into the breach and a bit of reshuffling elsewhere the final team list looked exciting and promised some new partnerships.
St Boswell’s started strongly in the match, dominating the possession and bearing down upon the Newton Stewart line. Gaps seemed to temporarily appear and there were some nervous moments from the side lines, however the tackles never failed to come from the Reds, and they were all secure when they did.
With ten minutes played Newton Stewart had their first real opportunity to attack. Breaks came from forwards William McCornick and Thomas MacDonald, before acting captain Fraser Morton found the ball in space and galloped through to score the opening try. He converted too for a 7-0 lead.
Just a few minutes later brother Russell Morton made a superb break through the field, creating an excellent scoring opportunity, but couldn’t complete the pass at the critical moment, resulting in the visitors stealing the ball back and countering.
The play moved back and forwards up the pitch now, possession switching repeatedly, and St Boswell’s finding themselves penalised for dissent.
Two penalty kicks presented themselves for Newton Stewart in the tail end of the first half, and Fraser Morton scored both of them, exuding confidence in his kicking, and taking his team into the break 13-0 ahead.
Just as with the first half, the second started with St Boswell’s looking sharpest. Their large forwards retained the ball well and ran determinedly at the Red’s defensive line. They patiently went through the phases until their centre found the gap he needed and barged over the line for a converted try.
Hereafter the Reds took control of the game and the tries came thick and fast. A break from Fraser Morton created an opportunity for William McCornick to bulldoze over the line, before HMS Brawls celebrated his return from holiday with a sprint up the right wing to drop anchor over the try line. Both tries were converted.
With twenty minutes left to play Fraser Morton scored his second try of the game, hitting a great incisive line at speed and leaving the St Boswell’s defence in his wake.
Just a few minutes later scrum-half Robbie McCornick turned over the ball midfield and placed a superb kick for the backs to chase, with Russell Morton collecting and running in the try.
Calum Gaw was next on the scoreboard. Playing in the back row, a new position for him at senior level, he demonstrated unfathomable strength relative to his size, and backed his speed and power to run for the line solo and making it over in the far right corner.
With St Boswell’s looking to be tiring in the final ten minutes the Reds monopolised. Lock Alan Ferrie was next to score through a motionless defence, the visitors perhaps distracted waiting for the referee to award a penalty that never came, before the final word went to Fraser Morton once again, scoring his hat-trick as the whistle blew to leave the Reds with an impressive 56-7 victory.
The first half of this game was far closer than the scoreline would suggest, and St Boswell’s were a stuffy side with some big ball carriers and tenacious at the breakdown. Newton Stewart were in superb form however and created multiple opportunities for themselves, displaying some clinical finishing along with it.
Calum Gaw played superbly in the back row with a real air of confidence that would have settled the nerves of any onlookers concerned by the personnel changes. Liam Brawls also gave a great account of himself when he came on in the second half, scoring an important try, but tackling well also.
Both Morton brothers played well in this match, with Russell showing some creativity and flair in attack, however it is Fraser who earned Man of the Match in this game. Scoring three tries, and a total of 31 points for the team, he led the team in attack and was a solid link in the defensive chain also. His reliable kicking, despite a strong breeze blowing, was impressive in this game, but may prove essential in tighter games than this. A great performance from the acting captain.
The Reds are at home again this weekend, welcoming Perthshire RFC to Bladnoch Park. Kick-off is at 2pm.

Team: Jamie Muir, David Adams, Fraser Morton (capt), Russell Morton, Robert Service, David Gaw, Robbie McCornick, Ross Campbell, Thomas MacDonald, Ronan McDonald, Alan Ferrie, William McCornick, Ewan Dewar, Calum Gaw, James Wallace. Subs: Liam Brawls, Jack Gaw, Connal McDonald, Martin Wallace.