Botha back with a bang
Exeter Chiefs flyer Chrysander Botha marked his return to fitness by running in four tries as the world famous Barbarians ran in 15 sparkling tries in a 97-31 win against Heriot’s in the Investec Cup match that celebrated the 125th anniversary of the Edinburgh club.
The Namibian international, who has been sidelined since breaking his leg and ankle during the Autumn internationals, was in sensational form for the Baa-Baas as they ran up the third biggest total in a cosmopolitan history that began in 1890.
The rest of the Barbarians tries were shared by Scarlets star Joshua Adams (3), Scotland lock Scott MacLeod (Newcastle Falcons), England flanker Chris Jones, Canada full back James Pritchard (Bedford Blues), Scotland scrum half Grayson Hart (Edinburgh), Aled Thomas (Gloucester), Ali Price (Glasgow), Aled Summerhill (Cardiff Blues) and USA prop Titi Lamositele (Saracens).
Another five minutes and they might have overtaken the 104 points scored against the East Midlands in 2004, but Heriot’s - competing in the BT Premiership Final against Melrose this weekend - dug in and scored five tries of their own.
Colin Goudie touched down twice with Max Learmouth, Jamie Syme and Chris Mulligan all getting in on the act.
Ten tries and 64 points were shared in a breathless first half with Botha completing his hat-trick within 15 minutes and adding a fourth five minutes before the break.
Adams streaked through the middle to collect a cross kick for the Barbarians’ fourth and Pritchard traded passes with Gordon Ross before adding the sixth.
Edinburgh scrum-half Hart added the seventh touchdown with a powerful run but Heriot’s dug in after being overwhelmed in the opening half-hour.
Learmouth and Goudie had run back long and short-range interceptions and then they sustained a spell of pressure with lock Syme powering over by the posts with Graham Wilson adding his second successful conversion.
Goudie’s second try was a gem of a chip and regather effort and replacement Mulligan bashed past tacklers for a fifth for the hosts. But the high quality Barbarians - who also included Exeter's Fijian star Sireli Naqelevuki in their ranks - kept on scoring through MacLeod and Jones from close range, Thomas cruising over on the right and Adams twice outstripping defenders down the left to complete his treble.
Replacement scrum-half Price and wing Summerhill increased the tally before USA prop Lamositele strolled over on the final play.
Heriot’s: Tries: Goudie 2, Learmouth, Syme, Mulligan. Conversions: Wilson 2, Mustard.
Barbarians: Tries: Botha 4, Adams 3, MacLeod, Jones, Pritchard, Hart, Thomas, Price, Summerhill, Lamositele. Conversions: Pritchard 7, Thomas 3, Ross.