National Two round-up: Glasgow Accies take a big step closer to safety

Glasgow Accies defeated Gordonians on Saturday. Image: Bob Johnstone

GLASGOW ACCIES are now 11 points clear of the relegation zone after they defeated Gordonians in National League Division Two on Saturday. The 26-13 victory by the home side at New Anniesland means that ninth placed Accies are now on 27 points while 11th placed Gordonians are stuck on 16 points, two points behind Falkirk who have three games in hand.

Colin Taylor, Calum Duke, Jack McCready and Gregor MacEwan tries gave Accies a bonus point while MacEwan slotted three conversions.

“We’d spoken all week about the conditions and how we wanted to play them and the boys carried out the game plan brilliantly,” said a pleased Accies head coach Andy Jackson. “Our set piece was a strength and was testament to the work the pack have put in over the course of the last two weeks. That gave us the platform that allowed us to play in the right areas of the pitch.

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“The fact that our back three scored a try each, even in atrocious conditions, shows the kind of rugby we are looking to play. Now we are excited about the last few games of the season and our challenge is to put back-to-back performances together.”

Finn Lennox scored a try for the visitors while Graeme Crawford kicked a conversion and two penalties.

Stewart’s Melville are back at the top of the table after they toughed out an 18-0 win over Preston Lodge at Inverleith. Captain for the day Euan Morrison and Scott Alldritt scored tries for the hosts with Morrison kicking a conversion and two penalties.

“A very good win in terrible conditions,” was Stew Mel head coach Jonny Else’s assessment. “Our first half showing was arguably our best tactical performance of the season. We played well into the wind, controlled our possession, we were accurate and kicked intelligently.

“At half-time we were composed and focused, but extremely wary of the threat that PL posed. To a man, our pack were very good indeed, prop Chris Baikie had a very fine game along with his front five colleagues.

“Our half-backs controlled things very well and Euan Morrison linked well with James Ferguson to ensure we had front foot ball. The back three were dangerous with ball in hand and chased everything that moved while our back-row helped secure ball. Fair play to both sets of players for continuing to play during extremely tough conditions.”

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Newton Stewart are now up to sixth and put a dent into fifth placed Kirkcaldy’s promotion bid with a 17-5 win at Beveridge Park. The visitors were 7-0 up at the interval, survived a period with 14 men either side of half-time, and then scored more points when Kirkcaldy were down to 14, to secure the triumph in Fife.

Tries for Newton Stewart came from Mark McCornick and Jason Mckie, while Jack Gaw kicked seven points. Alex Brooks scored Kirkcaldy’s try.

“We were delighted to right some wrongs from our last visit to Beveridge Park [when they shipped 80 points in the National League Cup at the start of the season],” said Newton Stewart head coach Martin Wallace.

“It was a match played in difficult conditions in which our defence was the real difference between the teams. We knew an arm wrestle would end badly for us so went out to play some expansive rugby after securing field position with a helping first half wind. The win is a huge boost for the boys and well deserved for the heart they showed.”

Storm Dennis was the winner at three grounds with GHK versus Peebles, Hamilton Bulls versus Whitecraigs and Falkirk versus Dumfries Saints all being postponed.