Last Gasp Loss

With the squad continuing to be affected by the bug that has been doing the rounds, it was another patched up team of only 14 players that made the trip to Musselburgh. Even some of those players shouldn't have played, but were determined to help their mates out.

The match was pretty even to start with both teams tackling well, but a few passes going astray in the blustery conditions. Knox were gradually getting on top though and a good chip through by Cunningham almost created the first score, only for it to be knocked on.

Knox continued to have the majority of possession and territory even though they were playing into the wind. After a couple of chances where Macfarlane and Jack were both stopped just short of the line, they finally found a weak spot in Musselburgh's defence and Duke made good yards. Eadie was in close support and picked it up from the ruck and drove over to claim his first try of the season.

Knox were quickly in attack again as they came from deep. Good handling made space for Jack who made broke clear and popped to the supporting Fred Cunningham. The ball was stolen from the next ruck though and the chance gone.

Musselburgh then had their first real chance as they broke blind, but a great cover tackle from Eadie killed that. Knox continued to press and and won a free kick only for a bit of panic to cause a knock on. From the scrum, Knox's defence vanished to leave a gaping hole that the Musselburgh centre ran straight through for an easy long distance try which was converted. Musselburgh now had the lead and were pressing hard for more with the wind at their backs.

A poor scrum from Knox saw the ball stolen and another break from Musselburgh. However, great pace from Macfarlane meant a try saving tackle. Some good defence for the next five minutes saw Knox hold out until the half time whistle.

Musselburgh Grammar 7 Knox Academy 5

The wind was now at Knox's back and they came out strongly in the second half. A chip through from Cunningham was missed by inches from being a try as the desperate defence got back just in time.

Knox kept the pressure on and a poor clearance was well gathered by Wright and a quick ruck was set up. The ball was then swung wide through several hands for a great try by Thomson which was converted.

Knox had their tails up and most of the game was being played in the Musselburgh 22. Another good bit of play saw a break through the backs, with Fred Cunningham stopped just short. The ball was won quickly at the ruck and with no defence on the blind the ball was popped out only to be dropped with a couple of yards to go. Over excitement cost an easy try that would end up being decisive.

Tension was building and Musselburgh eventually broke through with five minutes to go as some weak tacking in the centre of the park allowed easy yards to be made and a simple converted try from no real pressure. Musselburgh were suddenly back in the lead by 2 points.

Knox applied pressure from the kick off, but Musselburgh managed to work it clear. Knox came back again and Cunningham, seeing a gap behind the defence, chipped through and this time beat the covering defence to get a score. However, the conversion was missed.

Knox were 3 points in the lead with a couple of minutes to go. They quickly regained possession from the kick off and after a couple of penalties from an over eager Musselburgh defence, they were back in Musselburgh's 22.

All they had to do was secure their own lineout and the game was won. However, the throw went astray and the midfield defence was once again slow off the mark leaving space for the ball to be swung wide to Musselburgh's speedy winger who raced over from 80 metres out for the winning score and the final whistle.

Musselburgh Grammar 19 Knox Academy 17

A really sloppy way to lose a game that Knox should have won comfortably despite the number of players suffering from illness. The team were devastated, but as both Duke and Cunningham said after the match, "we lost that game at training this week lads as we just mucked about too much".

Despite having played some great rugby during the season, this was a good reminder that when the team do the basics well they beat anyone. It's when they lose concentration or try too much themselves and not use the team that they let games slip away.

One more full game to go against the touring Consett RFC, so hopefully the boys can stay switched on for one last win to end their season is style.