Merchiston in final after fightback

Published on 16/11/2012 00:00

Merchiston and Strathallan will contest the final of the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools under 16 Cup a week on Thursday after each winning their semi-finals yesterday.

At Colinton, Merchiston came from behind to defeat Edinburgh Academy 13-6 with impressive play in the last 15 minutes of the game. Academy led 6-0 going into the final quarter with two penalties by Blair Kinghorn but Merchiston’s late charge produced a catch-and-drive try by Kender Dine and the conversion and two penalties by Jamie Gillan.

In the other match, Strathallan beat George Watson’s College 10-7 at Forgandenny in what the home side’s coach Andy Henderson described as “an edgy match”. He added: “We had to work really hard against a physical pack.”

Watson’s director of rugby Ally Donaldson said: “We had all the pressure but they got it right. It’s disappointing but a lesson for the boys”. Connor Holburn scored the Strathallan try, converted by Josh Henderson, whose penalty provided the winning points. Calum Davidson touched down for Watson’s, converted by Callum Young.