Aberdeen Grammar 25 - 11 Boroughmuir: Half-time roasting spurs Grammar on to victory

ABERDEEN Grammar enter the second half of the Premier 1 in the New Year in the best of spirits, boosted by a three-try second half, putting behind them a lacklustre performance, during which Boroughmuir failed to take advantage.

Muir coach Phil Smith acknowledged his side had not done enough when having control of the game, claiming only two Ally Warnock penalties to take a 6 - 0 lead into the break.

‘’We just didn’t cash in, making too many errors at times when we should have been more composed. I was, however, happy to get a late try when flanker Matt Harvey gave the scoreline a better gloss. I thought Aberdeen were a good side, especially in the second half,’’ said Smith.

His opposite number, Kevin Wyness, was pleased that his side had come to life after a sluggish start, but insisted the result had never been in doubt.

‘’Once I had a go at them at half-time, they got their act together. This is a good team who will get better,’’ said Wyness who was standing in for head coach Alex Duncan who fell ill on Friday and was taken to hospital. Thankfully, he was discharged at lunchtime on Saturday and found time to wish his team good luck before going home.

Once Grammar opened its account in 50 minutes through a Rob Aloe penalty there was no stopping the homesters. Tries followed from winger Erlend Oag – his seventh of the season – captain and lock Murray Douglas, and finally No 8 Greig Ryan.

Stand-off Aloe added two conversions and a further penalty, leaving the Edinburgh side to scrap for a consolation try in injury time.

The win means the Rubislaw side occupy seventh place, while their opponents lie eighth.

Scorers: Aberdeen: Tries; Oag, Douglas, Ryan. Cons: Aloe 2. Pens: Aloe 2. Boroughmuir: Pens: Warnock 2

Aberdeen: S Aitken; E Oag, A Alapati, W Wardlaw, C Anderson; R Aloe, R Lawson. N Fraser, S O’Connor, C McConnachie, E Nimmons, M Douglas, R Barrie, T McGinness, G Ryan. Subs used: A Haggart, M Dixon, R Allen, S Smith, M Ward.

Boroughmuir: H Jones; S Visser, S Wilson, M Hare, J Webster; A Warnock, S Johnston. N Fraser, S Crombie, J Latta, G Scott, A Davidson, M Harvey, A Rose, I Moody.

Subs used: B Blair, R Wilson, J Swanson, N Rodger, R Bedford.

Referee: C Samson.