Arnold Clark Men's Premiership: Watsonians hit top gear to seal Musselburgh's fate

Today at 08:32 PM

Musselburgh 17

Watsonians 85

COLIN RENTON @ Stoneyhill

MUSSELBURGH had "I was pretty emotionally broken after last week and then that's pretty much a case of them showing up and we didn't. . The hosts had occasional flashes of the defiance that has been a feature of recent weeks but this time they were well beaten.

Home coach Derek O'Riordan was understandably despondent at the way events unfolded, saying: "I was pretty emotionally broken after last week [late loss at home to Selkirk] and then that's pretty much a case of them showing up and we didn't. All credit to Watsonians. They were clinical and physical.

"We couldn't find any sort of in into the game but we felt really flat and really lacking energy. We felt that in the changing room at half-time as well. We made a couple of changes and it felt like there was a little bit more of a spark in the second half but there's no denying the fact that physically we were miles off it and they took advantage of that."

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O'Riordan's mood was at odds with the tone in the away camp where his counterpart Davey Wilson was delighted with the showing.

"In terms of attacking rugby, that's probably our most complete performance of the season. No disrespect to Musselburgh, mathematically they could still have done something and at home they are a hard side to break down and to get on top of. So, I was really impressed with the attitude of the lads. Some of the tries were pretty good," he enthused.

And he believes that such a performance augurs well for the coming challenge, adding: "Our issue has been our consistency. We had a few guys out so I still have some pretty experienced campaigners to add for the business end of the league and as long as we keep everybody fit, I'm pretty confident that on our day we can go toe-to-toe with whoever."

Musselburgh's task was clear. Anything less than a bonus point win would confirm their relegation. And within 13 minutes their fate was pretty much sealed as Watsonians set off at an impressive pace.

The first points came in three minutes. Jason Baggott kicked into space on the left to spark a move and Ronan Kerr took a pass before galloping over. The tally rose to double figures when a Musselburgh fumble handed Dom Coetzer possession. He broke clear and fed Zander Walls, who raced in at the corner.

Watsonians had to look sharp in defence, with Sandy Watt keen to run with the ball and the Owenson brothers bringing their experience to bear. However, Kwagga Van Niekerk delivered a couple of hefty tackles and the Musselburgh desperation also accounted for a couple of chances.

A steady build-up paid off for Watsonians in the form of try number three with the ball eventually worked wide to Lomond Macpherson, whose arcing run took him over the whitewash. Baggott landed the kick for a 17 point lead.

Musselburgh gave their supporters something to shout about with a patient effort that allowed them to build pressure inside the opposition half before Ben Heber threw out a long pass to Tom Foley, who finished well in the corner. Danny Owenson's conversion attempt bounced back off the crossbar.

That was probably a sign of how things were going for the hosts and confirmation that the luck was with Watsonians came when a chip by Baggott bounced kindly for the visitors' stand-off who gathered then sent Macpherson in for a second time before adding the conversion via both posts.

There was nothing fortunate about the two additional tries that came before the interval, however. The first stemmed from a break by Murray Scott and ended with Freddie Owsley powering over. And the first half scoring ended with a line-out steal inside the Watsonians 22, and a move carried on by Baggott who released Owsley to step inside the last defender and dot down for a converted score.

Musselburgh enjoyed a stronger start to the second period but failed to score and the visitors struck with a counter-attack that led to Owsley finishing in style after juggling the scoring pass. Baggott converted then did so again after Stu Allison capped a spell of pressure by crashing over.

Musselburgh were demoralised and Josh Mitchell widened the gap when he bounced off the final defender on his way to the line then Allison sent Sam Leweni in as the points kept piling up.

The home side had a moment of defiance when Dylan Jakeman blasted his way up the wing to set up Mitch Thomas for a try.

But Watsonians struck back instantly when Mitchell scored his second and, although Rory Smith capped a final spell of home pressure by chipping ahead for Rory Watt to finish and leave Danny Owenson an easy conversion, Baggott raced in for a self-converted try before adding the extras after Macpherson bagged try number 13 in the final minute.

Teams –

Musselburgh: P Burns; T Foley, R Watt ©, G Heber, S Watt; D Owenson, J Rule; C Owenson, J Talac, H Meadows, A Mataitini, J Arnold, D Jakeman, M Crawford, J Lister. Subs: M Thomas, E Bonthron, R Brown, R Smith, M McCowan, R Stott, J Longwell.

Watsonians: F Owsley; L Macpherson, R Kerr, D Coetzer, Z Walls; J Baggott ©, M Scott; C Lamberton, M Pritchard, A Williams, A McInnes, K van Niekerk, J Minty, Z Mactaggart, S Allison. Subs: J Holligan, M Marshall, T Gracie, J Roberts, J Mitchell, C McAlpine, S Leweni.

Scorers –

Musselburgh: Tries: Foley Thomas, R Watt; Con: D Owenson

Watsonians: Tries: Kerr, Walls, Macpherson 3, Owsley 3, Allison, Mitchell 2, Leweni, Baggott; Cons: Baggott 10

Scoring sequence (Musselburgh first): 0-5; 0-10; 0-15; 0-17; 5-17; 5-22; 5-24; 5-29; 5-31; 5-36; 5-38 (h-t) 5-43, 5-45; 5-50; 5-52; 5-57; 5-59; 5-64; 5-66; 10-66; 10-71; 15-71; 17-71; 17-76; 17-78; 17-83′ 17-85.

Man-of-the-Match: Stu Allison was excellent all-round, Jason Baggott had a notable evening with ball in hand, and then there were hat-tricks for Lomond Macpherson and Freddie Owsley. However, Kwagga van Niekerk's defensive contribution was massive and he was also a key man at the line-out and in open play, so he earns the nod.

Talking point: Musselburgh's Premiership existence has been hanging by a thread for some weeks and the Stoneyhill men have now been put out of their misery. It has been a rollercoaster of a season and their top-flight presence will be missed next year. Watsonians look increasingly accomplished and have every right to fancy their chances in the play-offs.

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