LOGAN TROTTER finished the campaign as he started it, with another busy and effective performance packed with pace from full-back as Stirling County came within an injury-time interception try of upsetting Watsonians’ unbeaten season on Friday night. However, he misses out on the No 15 jersey on this occasion to opposite number Harry Paterson, who has been another consistently excellent performer and was once again a major threat from deep for the Sprint Series champions.
Lomond MacPherson‘s free-wheeling opening try for Watsonians earns him selection on the right wing, and Sam Pecqueur of Heriot’s also crossed the whitewash and had several incisive carries so is selected on the opposite touch-line.
Outside-centre was a tight-call, with Edinburgh pro Matt Currie showing up well in the first half before picking up a knock and moving to the wing, so the industrious DJ Innes, who hit a brilliant line in the lead-up to Stirling County’s fine first try, gets the nod. The classy Joe Reynolds had another impressive game both sides of the ball before being replaced on 60 minutes so gets in at inside-centre.
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Lee Millar‘s control for Watsonians and Jason Baggott‘s initiative in snatching the interception try which sealed the win for that same team after his introduction on the hour mark, means that either of those two playmakers could easily have been handed the No 10 jersey, but Bruce Houston of Heriot’s edges it after expertly pulling Heriots’ strings in their comprehensive win over Boroughmuir Bears. Fellow ‘Nail’ Murdo McAndrew edges out Sean Kennedy of Stirling County and Rory Brand of Watsonians at scrum-half.
County hooker Angus Fraser was man-of-the-match against Watsonians, winning a number of good turnovers in the first half, taking the ball on with real intent and scoring a try after the breaks for good measure, which is enough to secure his selection in the middle of the front-row ahead of Cal Davies, despite the fact he threw that injury-time pass which was intercepted by Baggott.
Sam Grahamslaw came off the bench to make a big impact in scrum and the loose for Watsonians so is named at loose-head, while the hard-working George Breese of County played the full 80 and hung in there under serious pressure in the scrum so is selected at tight-head.
Adam Sinclair had arguably his best game since returning to County at the start of this campaign, using his bulk to good effect in the forward battle, so is named in the second-row, alongside Josh King, who started in the back-row but moved to the second-tow battled away manfully on a tough afternoon for the Meggetland men.
Seb Cecil was a key man at the line-out for a Watsonians side missing Iain Moody and apart from being turned over once at the start of the second half, he was a hard-edged and effective competitor around the park, so wears No 6. County’s Connor Gordon would have worn No 7 almost every other week, but misses out to three-try hero Iain Wilson of Heriot’s on this occasion. And Benedict Grant‘s powerful carrying for County and hard work in the contact area means he wears No 8.
15. Harry Paterson (Watsonians)
14. Lomond MacPherson (Watsonians)
13. DJ Innes (Stirling County)
12. Joe Reynolds (Watsonians)
11. Sam Pecqueur (Heriot’s)
10. Bruce Houston (Heriot’s)
9. Murdo McAndrew (Heriot’s)
1. Sam Grahamslaw (Watsonians)
2. Angus Fraser (Stirling County)
3. George Breese (Stirling County)
4. Josh King (Boroughmuir Bears)
5. Adam Sinclair (Stirling County)
6. Seb Cecil (Watsonians)
7. Iain Wilson (Heriot’s)
8. Benedict Grant (Stirling County)
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