Force 55 Boroughmuir 0
The look of delight on Keith Davies’ face when he realised that he was going to be playing again says it all, rugby is a family game and his family were there to see his return from premature retirement. Rocky Johnstone junior was also pleased to wear the Force jersey again and his wife and kids were there too (to ensure that he did not get injured again!).
Both of these gents gave a wealth of experience to add to the very enthusiastic youngsters who made up the 16-man squad, with Elliot Stanger succumbing to an early injury, but we hope to see the livewire back soon.
From the start the Force carried and tackled hard. The visitors were no mugs and though the score line looks one-sided, in fact this was a fairly close game for much of the tie. Ben Jardine from below the tunnel was in good form with the boot and scored 5 conversions, of the 9 tries.
The coaches asked the team to show belief and the squad did just that. Two first half tries from Ewan Wood were just deserts for some slick handling moves, with Justin Tait and Mathew King really positive in taking on and beating men to create space for the overlaps.
By half time the Mansfield Haugh side were 4 tries up, but with uncontested scrums it was the lineout, with Aaron Fletcher throwing arrows like Jocky Wilson, that was purring into shape and providing a great platform to attack from.
Second half exploits were even more daring than before the break and it saw many slick handling moves including a mesmerising, swerving run from Harris Brogan which not only brought cheers from the crowd but could easily see him keep his wee brother out of the team next week.
Liam Sharkey answered the call to play to great effect. If he had less tobacco and hops in his system at kick off time then he could be some player, he created at least one try with fearless running and was rewarded with his own breakaway try.
The best was to come late on as the visitors wilted in the face of a Force side now looking like they train together and are benefitting from the greater fitness levels that hard graft brings.
Linton, Hutton and Welsh all crossed the line for well-deserved tries but the roof was lifted off the banking-stand as man of the match, and the most popular four-footer in world rugby, Mathew King scored a scorcher to leave the team from Edinburgh gasping and the Teris jubilant.
