Aberdeen 23 - 14 Heriot’s: Aberdeen fight back to leave Heriot’s staring at relegation

Aberdeen Grammar guaranteed themselves a place in Premier 1 next season after a fighting second-half comeback to move sixth in the league, leaving Heriot’s looking for a miracle in the remaining two games before the split if they are to avoid the relegation play-offs.

“We had a poor first half, but showed our true character in the second half,” said Alex Duncan, the Aberdeen head coach who had watched his side overturn a 14-0 deficit.

Heriot’s backs coach Mark Appleson was disappointed in his side’s inability to finish off the home side after going two converted tries up.

“We lacked the self belief and confidence to complete the job, but all credit to Aberdeen for coming back at us,” Appleson said.

The Edinburgh side looked to have wasted the advantage of the elements, but in a ten-minute spell before the break, scored two tries through hooker Kevin Bryce and flanker Fraser Brown, both of which were converted by their excellent captain and scrum-half Graham Wilson.

Aberdeen hit back in style, overcoming their anxiety to get points on the board by finally crossing the Heriot’s line in 53 minutes when centre Will Wardlaw raced in.

Replacement centre Rob Aloe added the conversion before kicking two penalties, going on to convert a fine try from full back Steven Aitken ten minutes from the end.

In the last play of the day, Aloe added a third penalty.

Scorers: Aberdeen: Tries: Wardlaw, Aitken.Cons: Aloe 2. Pens: Aloe 3. Heriot’s: Tries: Bryce, Brown. Cons: Wilson 2.

Aberdeen Grammar: S Aitken, C Anderson, W Wardlaw, W Percival, E Oag; F Lyle, R Lawson; M Dixon, S O’Connor, C McConnachie, E Nimmons, M Douglas, S Warnock, R Barrie, G Ryan. Subs used: R Aloe, N Fraser, R Allen, T McGinness, M Ward.

Heriot’s: C Goudie; A Scott, C Ferguson, J Kohn, M Learnmouth; S Hidalgo, G Wilson, A Dymock, K Bryce, G Cameron, R Martin, M Reid, R Cessford, F Brown, J Hill. Subs used: C Mulligan, CJ Osazuma, M Nimmo, G Lawson.

Referee: A McPhearson.