Watsonians 0 - 40 Heriot's: Injury dampens Heriot's celebrations

Published on Saturday 6 February 2010 20:11

CUP holders Heriot's showed their intent to defend their trophy with a sumptuous win over Watsonians in the Scottish Hydro Premier Cup first round.

In all Heriot's ran in six tries in a display of dynamic rugby. The one blight was a serious ear injury to substitute Jon Alston, the former Dollar and Scotland Under-19 wing. "It was the worst injury I've seen for a long time. It took the gloss off the game for us," said Bob McKillop, the Heriot's coach.

Heriot's looked supreme throughout with a dynamic display from their forwards with massive ball-carrying contributions from the likes of Wullie Blacklock and a typical openside performance from Chris Fusaro, returning from injury.

The disjointed nature of Watsonians' teamwork was in contrast to the fluency of the visitors' attacks. Heriot's looked hungry for points from the off but they had to wait nine minutes for their first try, a touch down from Blacklock from a driven line-out.

Graham Wilson converted and the skipper was also on target with his conversion attempt after Jamie Syme had finished off a move triggered by a break from centre Richard Mill.

Then when Jamie Forbes overcooked a kick to touch Heriot's took a quick throw-in to launch an attacking move involving Wilson and Chris Goudie and ending with Fusaro crossing, Wilson again converting.

Heriot's lost Peter Eccles to the sin-bin but it mattered little as Syme drove over for his second try and then replacement scrum-half Sam Johnston raced in for his side's fifth. Wilson, who had been subbed, returned to the field to kick the conversion goal and then completed a perfect display with the boot by adding the extra points to a second try by Fusaro to complete a neighbourly rout.

Watsonians: M Ker; G Somerville, D Brown, C Sorbie, A Rowe; J Forbes, J Blackwood; G Scott, N Tunnah, K Coertze, C Masson, T Weizman, J Pelter, G Callander, N Dennis Subs used O Murray, F Brown, M Fedo, M Learmonth

Heriot's: C Goudie; B Roberts, M Nimmo, R Mill, A Douglas; G Rutherford, G Wilson; M Welch, F Gillies, W Blacklock, P O'Connor, CJ Ozazuwa, P Eccles, C Fusaro, J Syme Subs used J Alston, S Johnston, JP Ward, K Bryce

Scorers: Heriot's Tries Blacklock, Syme (2), Fusaro (2), Johnston

Referee: D Changleng (Gala)