Arnold Clark Men's Premiership Round 18 Dream Team

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Today at 12:46 PM

PLENTY of contenders at full-back. Dan King hit top form for Heriot’s against Ayr, scoring one try, involved in the others and kicking well on a breezy day. Archie Barbour, as always, posed a threat from deep for Kelso at Currie Chieftains. Kirk Ford’s goal-kicking, kicking from hand and contribution as a handler was key to Hawick claiming an important bonus-point win over Border rivals Melrose at Mansfield Park. Callum Anderson was his usual classy self for Selkirk in their away win at Musselburgh. But Freddie Owsley scored two tries for Watsonians, with the second killing off Glasgow Hawks, so he gets the nod.

Tom Lanni and try-scorer Luca Bardelli showed fine attacking form for Ayr against Heriot’s, Ben Pickles scored a “sublime” try for Selkirk against Musselburgh, Sam Leweni impressed for Watsonians and Robbie Kent was always a threat with ball in hand and repeatedly made ground for Edinburgh Accies in a losing cause against Marr. But the wingers on this occasion are Lomond Macpherson of Watsonians and George Coull of Heriot’s.

Under-18s prospect Bruce Weatherhead appears to have taken to senior rugby like duck to water and was a stand-out as a powerful but nimble ball carrier for Musselburgh in their home loss against Selkirk, so he earns selection at outside-centre ahead of a couple of more seasoned campaigners in the shape of Scott Bickerstaff (who was man-of-the-match for Marr against Edinburgh Accies), and Jamie Shedden (who was a huge influence in Ayr’s top-of-the-table win over Heriot’s at Goldenacre). Lee Armstrong‘s handling, tactical kicking and elusive running which included a solo try means he is selected at inside-centre.

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Edinburgh pro Cammy Scott enjoyed a rare run-out for Heriot’s and, even in defeat, showed a real quality in finding chinks in Ayr’s defence to earn TOL’s man-of-the-match award, but misses out on this occasion to Colin Sturgeon, who marked his 200th appearance for Marr with a typically astute performance to help guide his team to that important away win against Edinburgh Accies in the battle to escape the relegations zone.

A superb afternoon for Hugo Alderson during Selkirk win over Musselburgh earns selection at scrum-half, just ahead of the sniping Gregor Christie of Currie Chieftains.

Grant Shiells scrum and maul work for Kelso versus Currie Chieftains sees him selected at loose-head, just ahead of Jamie Drummond of Ayr and Chris Keen of Heriot’s. Ryan Stewart‘s arrows were on point and he landed some big tackles for Currie Chieftains against Kelso to earn the hooker spot. Calum Crookshanks was solid at the scrum, made a huge contribution with ball in hand, and arguably should not have been yellow-carded, so he gets the nod at tight-head despite it being another disappointing day for Accies at home against Marr.

Marr’s line-out struggled in the first half against Accies, but David Andrew played an important role in steadying the ship and made a big contribution in open play so is named in the second-row, alongside Oscar Baird, who was a stand-out performer in a ding-dong battle of the boiler-houses at Goldenacre, which also featured big contributions from team-mate Ed Bloodworth against Heriot’s duo Patrick Spence and Jamie Campbell.

Corey Tait was once again outstanding for Selkirk so is selected at blindside flanker. Sam Cardosi led the Currie Chieftains defensive effort against Kelso, won at least three turnovers and was also a big attacking force so is at openside flanker, with an honourable mention for Merchiston Castle School student Zander Mactaggart who impressed off the bench for Watsonians against Glasgow Hawks.. Connor Sutherland‘s powerful ball carrying and tackling ultimately proved to be the go-forward factor Hawick needed to get the better of Melrose meaning he is named at No 8.

15. Freddie Owsley (Watsonians)

14. Lomond Macpherson (Watsonians)

13. Bruce Weatherhead (Musselburgh)

12. Lee Armstrong (Hawick)

11. George Coull (Heriot’s)

10. Colin Sturgeon (Marr)

9. Hugo Alderson (Selkirk)

1. Grant Shiells (Kelso)

2. Ryan Stewart (Currie Chieftains)

3. Calum Crookshanks (Edinburgh Accies)

4. David Andrew (Marr)

5. Oscar Baird (Ayr)

6. Corey Tait (Selkirk)

7. Sam Cardosi (Currie Chieftains)

8. Connor Sutherland (Hawick)