Brilliant Bell helps Heriot's suck in Ayr

Published on Monday 24 November 2008 09:13

WINGER Stuart Bell was the star performer for Heriot's as the Goldenacre men stepped up their bid to reel in pacesetters Ayr in the Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership title race.

The former Madras College man bagged a second-half hat-trick as the Capital outfit took all five points from a 43-7 win at Hawick. After reaching the break tied at 7-7, Heriot's eased through the gears to run riot in the second period. Colin Goudie had a try in each half and there was a try apiece for Finlay Gillies and Graham Wilson, who also kicked four conversions as Heriot's cut the gap at the top to seven points following Ayr's defeat at Melrose.

Currie were also in rampant form, running in nine tries on the way to a 62-20 win over Selkirk at Malleny Park as the hosts scored 38 second-half points. Edinburgh pro Andy Turnbull claimed a brace, with the others spread throughout the side.

Elsewhere, Watsonians went into yesterday's televised fixture at home to basement side Stirling County hoping the second half of the campaign would bring greater consistency than the first. However, the Myreside men delivered a performance that must have further frustrated their supporters, combining spells of outstanding handling with periods when they allowed the battling visitors to dictate the play.

Stirling's greater desire was the crucial factor in the 24-16 loss for 'Sonians, who had tries from Dougie Brown and Andrew Tweed plus two Mike Ker penalties but were left empty-handed after conceding a drop goal with the final kick of the afternoon.

In Division Two, Haddington staged a second-half fight back to snatch the honours in the East Lothian derby against Musselburgh at Neilson Park. 'Burgh led 11-6 at the break with their points coming from a try by Greig Leitch and two penalties from Andrew Clark, while Jamie Peters slotted two penalties for the Scarlets. However, second-half tries by centres Euan Herkes and Callum Mark plus a conversion from Peters gave Haddington victory although a further try for Leitch ensured it was tight, ending 18-16.

Stewart's-Melville closed the gap on second placed Jedforest with a hard-fought 16-16 draw at Peebles. The Inverleith side may see this as a missed opportunity after a try by Craig Marshall was converted by Stuart Ker, who also slotted three penalties including a late equaliser to earn two league points.