Sean Murchie bags hat-trick in Stewart's Melville cup win

A try treble for winger Sean Murchie helped Stewart's Melville make a winning start to the season, as they eased past Carrick 41-19 in the first round of the National League Cup.

Jack Calder, Chris Baikie and Conor McKay also had a touchdown apiece and Cameron Leask booted the other points as the Inverleith men reached the break with a 26-19 lead then kicked on to secure the win.

Tries from Graeme Bowman, Kyle McGhie, Declan Slaven and Colin Arthur, plus a 12-point contribution from Danny Owenson with the boot saw Musselburgh into a 32-0 interval lead in their tie at home to Biggar. And the Stoneyhill men completed a 53-14 win with additional converted scores by Martin Cimprich, Luke Hutson and William Fleming.

Preston Lodge were untroubled in a 72-31 success at home to Hillhead/Jordanhill and the Pennypit men were joined in the second-round draw by Lasswade, who saw off Howe of Fife 19-7 at Hawthornden.

However, there was disappointment for Murrayfield Wanderers, who went down 36-12 away to West of Scotland, while Haddington conceded their game against Newton Stewart after being unable to field a team.