Rugby: Cross happy as Accies step it up in race for top flight

Accies coach Simon Cross had bemoaned the absence of several key men who appeared on a lengthy injury list, but he paid tribute to the commitment of those in his squad who had cancelled trips to watch Scotland’s international in Dublin in order to support the bid for Premier One status.

Cross himself had caught an early flight from the Irish capital after being on duty with the Scotland Under 20 team. He saw Accies race into a 19-0 lead after only 17 minutes. And despite having two men yellow carded, the Capital outfit ran in a total of seven tries, with Gavin Douglas and Andrew Findlater bagging two apiece, while Iain Berthinussen, Dan Teague and Chris Dickie each scored one and Ruaridh Bonner booted the rest of the points.

The result sees Accies move into a share of top spot in the table with Heriot’s. Glasgow Hawks – who will travel to face the Goldenacre men on Saturday – lie third, two points adrift but with a game in hand, after they posted a 45-29 win over Watsonians at Myreside.

Hawks had the bonus point secured by half time, which they reached with a 31-10 advantage – the ’Sonians scores coming from a try by Jack Ferguson, converted by Brian Walls, who also landed a penalty.

’Sonians produced some attractive rugby in the second period and a try double by Ed Hunter plus one from Harris Grant handed them a bonus point. However, it was a fifth successive defeat since the league split. In his programme notes for Saturday’s encounter, ’Sonians president David Harris suggested that failure to secure promotion will bring challenges in retaining personnel.

Meanwhile, in RBS Premier 3, Lasswade welcomed leaders Howe of Fife. The Hawthornden men were still in touch at the break, trailing only 6-0. However, a try by skipper Gavin Brown was all they could muster in the second half and the visitors touched down four times to triumph 28-5.