Early hopes that last season’s mould had been broken appear to have been short lived as the top four spots are occupied by the four sides who finished in the B&! Cup “qualification” spots.
Gala took 5 more points as they beat Stirling County at Netherdale. The Galashiels side have now taken 20 points and a have anarrow 1 point lead in the league from Heriots.
Gala scored 4 tries in their 23 point haul and the margin would probably have been higher had place kicker, David O’Hagan not taken an ankle knock just after the second half had started. Gala had a number of experienced forwards missing but their strength in depth was enough to see of County’s spirited challenge. Gala’s four tries came through a first half try from Steve Cairns, a crucial try to restore the lead just inside the second half from Chris Weir and a brace from Luke Pettie.
County can take heart from a spirited fight as they prepare to host Hawks next Saturday. Jamie Urquhart’s solitary try or county was the best of the afternoon but it was Jamie Urquhart who kept the visitors in the hunt with one conversion and three penalties.
Second placed Heriots won their fourth in a row since they were beaten on the opening Saturday by Hawks. In the latest of innumerable Edinburgh derbies the Nails were rampant against newly promoted Boroughmuir securing another bonus point win.
Home coach expressed disappointment at the score in a match which the home side dominated from beginning to end and Heriots spent very little time outside of their own half.
A couple of early penaltes from Graham Wilson gave Heriots a lead, but the rarest of sorties out of their own defence saw them narrow the gap when Graeme Blackhall went over just before the twenty minute mark.
Heriots pulled ahead in front of a large crowd a Liam Steele try which was converted by Wilson.
In the second half Captain Jack Turley went over for another goal. Heriots hreceived a sin-binning but held on until their numbers were complete when Steele scored his second which Wilson again goaled. With Muir getting a consolation try, the final say was to Heriots who secured a bonus with a try from Wilson. Heriots are off to Balerno for yet another derby but Muir cannot be relishing a visit by Ayr next Saturday.
Ayr kept themselves at the top end of the table with a surprisingly difficult win against winless Edinburgh Accies at Millbrae. Indeed although dominating the match 20 of their 23 point haul was scored when Accies were a man short. The Edinburgh side are not completely marooned at the bottom of the table but it will be a haul back after the visit of the Maroons next Saturday.
Mind-match jitters seemed to affect Melrose s the lost and early lead at the Greenyards to Currie. 14 points for the men from Balerno at the start of the second held sign posted an upset but Rose had the composure and experience to haulback the lead and gain another bonus point, running out convincing 41-26 winners. A derby match at Masfield Park awaits Melrose and there won’t be much love lost there.