National League Cup round-up: Stew-Mel and Strathmore upset the odds

Lasswade, Howe of Fife, Hamilton Bulls and Peebles also book their place in the last eight

28 October 2019 Gary Heatly Clubland, Dumfries Saints RFC, Falkirk RFC, Grassroots, Hamilton RFC, Kirkcaldy RFC, Match Reports, Peebles RFC, Stewart's Melville RFC Comments Off on National League Cup round-up: Stew-Mel and Strathmore upset the odds
Strathmore picked up an impressive win on the road against Falkirk. Image: David Potter
Strathmore picked up an impressive win on the road against Falkirk. Image: David Potter

NATIONAL THREE side Strathmore defeated Falkirk from the division above, while Stewart’s Melville became the first team to beat Dumfries Saints this term, on a lively Saturday of National League Cup first round action.

Strathmore made the trip to Horne Park to take on Falkirk with some regular starters missing, but it did not impact on them one bit. A quick start was key to a successful away day with a turnover in the Falkirk 22 leading to a first try by Dave Smith and they added to their lead before the break when centre Grant Langlands hit a strong line to score under the posts, which paved the way to a 25-17 victory.

“It was really good that our discipline was much better than previous weeks and that meant that Falkirk didn’t have a lot of chances,” said Strathmore head coach Alan Brown.  “Throughout the game we did well putting into practice the shape we have been working on in training.

“The forwards carried hard and that allowed back-rows Dan Jones and Ian Reid to score tries in the second half. The result against a team from a higher division should give us confidence for the next few National Three league games.”

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Joining them in the next round are Stew-Mel who put in their best performance of the campaign to down National Two leaders Dumfries 43-22 at Inverleith. Adam Greig, Doug Randell, Mathew Watson, Jamie Sword, Scott Alldritt, Fraser Morrison and Jamie McGurk scored tries for the victors, with Euan Morrison kicking the rest of the points.

“We are happy with the performance and our team attack was, at times, very good,” said Stew-Mel head coach Jonny Else. “This has pleased our attack coach Alex Hagart as this has been an area of focus of late at training.

“Our forwards coach Gav McLeod was also happy with the accuracy of our pack. A good performance against a good side and the challenge for us now is to take this type of showing into the league.”

Dumfries scored three tries in defeat through Andrew Whiteford, Calum Smith and Robert Douglas.

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Meanwhile, Peebles defeatedt Ardrossan Accies 56-14, scoring tries through Callum Anderson, Ritchie Reid, Donald Anderson, Murdo Anderson, David Willis, Richard Harrison, Scott Stoddart and David Collins,  while Donald Anderson kicked the rest of the points.

Ben Hamilton and Kyle Wood scored Ardrossan’s tries  with Stuart Lewis slotting both conversions.

Hamilton won 48-24 against Kirkcaldy at Beveridge Park with Ross Jamison, Adam Ryan, Scott Alexander, Max Crumlish, Andrew Crawford, Ross Inglis and Ben Plant (2) all crossing for tries. Owen McLeish and Inglis shared the other points with the boot.

Kirkcaldy began well with an early try from Chris Mann, while Josh Laird and Danny Jennings also scored tries in the first half as they turned around 24-17 down, but Hamilton ran away with it after the break and the Fifers only scored one more try through Laird.

Lasswade won impressively 33-12 at Fort Matilda against Greenock Wanderers. Scott Sinclair, Graham Cook, Dale Robertson and Jed Smith scored tries for the Midlothian side while they also earned a penalty try.

Brendan McGroarty and Scott Bellew score the Greenock tries with Leighton Tylee kicking a conversion.

Howe of Fife beat Perthshire 27-12 at Duffus Park. Sean Murray led the way with two tries in Cupar with Cameron Willison, James Lawrie and James Barclay also scored tries for the winners with Jack Todd kicking a conversion.

“The boys showed real character to win this one having been 12-10 down at half-time,” said Howe of Fife head coach Gavin Emerson. “Perthshire battled to the end, but I feel the hard work our boys have been putting in at training helped us get this win.

National League Cup first round results –

Falkirk 17 Strathmore 25

Greenock Wanderers 12 Lasswade 33

Howe of Fife 27 Perthshire 12

Kirkcaldy 24 Hamilton Bulls 48

Stewart’s Melville 43 Dumfries Saints 22

Ardrossan Accies 14 Peebles 56

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About Gary Heatly 330 Articles
Gary has loved rugby ever since he can remember and since 2004 he has covered the sport and others in a professional capacity for many publications and websites and runs his own company, GH Media.