Rugby: New champs hit Stew-Mel

Published on Monday 16 March 2009 08:48

STEWART'S MELVILLE'S bid for promotion from Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership Division Two suffered a jolt when they went down 30-12 at Dundee High on Saturday, writes COLIN RENTON.

The Inverleith squad travelled north knowing that defeat would hand the title to the Taysiders and also damage their own prospects of a return to the top flight next season. A try by flanker Phil Hendry kept the visitors in the game at the break which they reached 15-5 in arrears. However, Dundee pulled away to a comfortable win – Hendry claiming a converted try for Stew-Mel – to secure the bonus point and the title.

Graeme Moffat's side remains second in the table, ahead of Peebles on points difference although the Capital men have a game in hand. Peebles kept their challenge alive with a 17-3 win over Haddington at the Gytes, the Scarlets' points coming from a Jamie Peters penalty.

Meanwhile, Musselburgh moved off the bottom of the table with a 7-5 win away to fellow strugglers Hamilton.

The fate of Division Three basement side Livingston was sealed when they travelled to face promotion chasing Dunfermline.

The Almond Park led 12-6 at the interval but lack of discipline gifted the Fifers a string of penalties and their stand off Ally O'Connor took his tally to five to snatch a 15-12 victory. The result means Livingston are officially relegated.