Another disappointing day for County

Sep 7 2011 By Kevin Robertson

Stirling County 13 Heriot's 29

ANOTHER lacklustre display by County leaves them rooted to the bottom of the league.

In a sleepy first half Stirling conceded a couple of tries – and it could have been more.

Although they upped their game in the second period, the visitors from Goldenacre were always in control.

Except for the front row, with Gary Mountford and Mike MacDonald still missing, County were at full strength and looking to get their season underway after their opening-day defeat at Hawks.

The match started well for the home side, with early pressure leading to a first-minute penalty slotted by Brian Archibald. Heriot's, however, quickly got into their stride and only a last-ditch tackle by Benji Barsanti prevented the visitors scoring.

County then had an excellent chance to increase their lead with a break from halfway by Ben Addison, supported by Ross Aitken, but the final pass went astray. That was to prove costly when Heriots scrum- half Graham Wilson took a quick tap penalty in the home 22, caught the County defence napping and scurried over to score the opening try under the posts, which he converted.

Four minutes later he added a penalty after County were penalised for pulling a player back off the ball within the 22.

Heriot's were making ground with ease, finding gaps and breaking through weak tackling. County's scrum was also creaking and a sequence of lost lineouts gifted possession to the visitors. After 30 minutes right winger Jordy Kohn scored in the corner to increase the visitors’ lead.

Early in the second half former County player Jason Hill ploughed over for Heriot's third try, converted by Wilson.

Barsanti, however, gave Stirling a lifeline with an unconverted try and they continued to press but to no avail.

With five minutes remaining Heriots' Kohn scored his second and the visitors’ fourth and bonus-point try, converted by Wilson. On full-time Swindall scored his first try for County in the corner.

STIRLING COUNTY: Addison, Lindsay, Gilmour, Archibald, Aitken, Edwards, Kennedy, Raby, Moffat (cap.), Hutton, Deacons, McAlpine, Swindall, Barsanti, Clarke. Replacements: Simpson, Black, S Robertson, Boswell, C Robertson (all used).

HERIOT'S: Goudie, Scott, Nimmo, Mark, Kohn, Ferguson, Wilson, Dymock, Bryce, Cameron, Martin, Osazuma, McDonald, Hill, Reid. Replacements: Mustard, Ward, Cessford, Goldie, Yono.

Referee: R Dickson.

On Saturday Stirling are in Edinburgh when they meet Boroughmuir. Kick-off at Meggatland is at 3pm.

STIRLING County's 2nd XV recorded their second successive bonus-point victory, with a 37-30 home win over Heriot's to move to the top of National Reserve League Division 1. Try scorers were Gregor Brodie (2), Chris Faill, Craig Bolan and Davie McMillan. Jack Urquhart added two penalties and three conversions. On Saturday the 2nds are also at Boroughmuir.

County's new associate club, Bridgehaugh played and won their first match in Caledonian Midland Division 3, beating Bannockburn 22- 12 at Bluebellwood. On Saturday they visit Dundee to play Stobswell.