Rugby: Survival scrap heats up with Muir defeat

Boroughmuir suffered their latest RBS Premiership defeat when they succumbed 34-14 away to Stirling County. While the result had no impact on the fortunes of ’Muir, whose relegation had already been confirmed, it adds further spice to a tense weekend ahead, with only Ayr, Gala and Heriot’s currently assured of top-flight rugby next season.

Stirling’s defeat against 
Edinburgh Accies seven days earlier added to their urgency against ’Muir and they took all five points with a solid effort against a Meggetland side looking to end the campaign on a positive note before starting to prepare for life in the RBS 
National League next season.

The home side, whose battle for survival is also combined with a bid for a place in the British & Irish Cup had the game won before Muir claimed tries from Neil Rodger and Jordan Edmunds, with Ally Warnock landing both conversions. ’Muir’s campaign concludes on Saturday at home to Accies.

Meanwhile, Musselburgh’s title 
challenge in the RBS National B has faltered after an impressive start but Brian Hughes’ players are looking to conclude their season with another winning run.

Their match at home to relegated Morgan Academy was switched from Stoneyhill to Pinkie Playing Fields but the outcome was as anticipated, with ’Burgh emerging as convincing 27-3 winners – a result that guarantees them a top-four finish.

The home side were rarely troubled in a match that saw them take all five league points. Skipper James Doig led the way with the opening try. Doig has been a regular scorer during the campaign and had learned earlier in the week that the touchdown against Lasswade which he started inside his own 22 and finished off several passes later had earned him the SRU try of the month award for February. Further scores by Andy Lamb, Steven Ketchin, Matt Brierly and Ryan Hamilton saw Burgh home to a comfortable success, with Doig adding one conversion.

’Burgh will make the short trip to face Haddington in Saturday’s East Lothian derby before concluding their campaign with a match at home to Hawick YM the following weekend.