Gala look the part as they demolish County at Netherdale

Gala christened their new kit with a sumptuous win over Stirling County at Netherdale from a performance that blended subtle back play and a stern resistance from their pack that nullified the visitors’ weight advantage up front, writes Alan Lorimer.

Crucially Gala grabbed a bonus point albeit that they had to wait until the second minute of injury time to claim their fourth try. Stirling looked impressive in the opening minute, scoring a try from a driven line-out credited to hooker Alex Moffat and converted by centre Brian Archibald. But three penalty goals by stand-off Lee Miller to one by Archibald and then a try from Russell Anderson gave Gala a 14-10 interval lead.

Then after Miller added two more penalty goals Gala showed their handling skills to create tries for centre Alan Emond and wing Craig Robertson, Miller succeeding with one conversion before George Graham squeezed over for the fourth try, converted by Andy McLean.

Glasgow Hawks 19, Heriot’s 13

These are nervy times at Anniesland and Goldenacre, as was evident from Hawks’ inability to dispatch Heriot’s, writes Martin Laing. Hawks played the vast majority of the match in Heriot’s half, yet lacked the composure necessary to capitalise on their dominance.

At the close of the first period, they led only 13-7, courtesy of tries for Tom Steven and Ross Miller, and a penalty from Mikey Martin, with their opponents replying with touchdown for Graham Wilson, which he converted.

Hawks extended their advantage after the break through a Martin kick, but Wilson again kept Heriot’s in contention with a simple nudge over. With 15 minutes left, Martin stretched the lead to 19-10, though Wilson earned a bonus point in defeat with the last kick of the game.

Edinburgh Accies 13, Aberdeen Grammar 18

Moray Low was yellow carded, but Aberdeen Grammar battled hard to win 18-13 at Raeburn Place, writes Gary Heatly.

Grammar started the match well and they took the lead in the ninth minute through a well worked try from Callum Anderson. The conversion was missed as was a further penalty by Percival.

Accies then got themselves into things and Stuart Evans kicked a penalty in the 24th minute. Six minutes later he kicked another before Percival kicked one as the visitors led 8-6 at the break.

Grammar started the second period well and despite losing stand-off Rob Aloe to injury went 13-6 up with a converted try from full-back Aitken.

Low, released for the day by Glasgow, was sin-binned in the 68th minute and Accies took advantage to level at 13-13 with a Callum Reid converted try.

However, with five minutes to go – and with 14 men – Grammar got the winning try through Earland Oag.

Ayr 37, Boroughmuir 17

AYR kept up their unbeaten run with a five tries to one victory over Boroughmuir at Millbrae, writes Matt Vallance.

Ayr led 15-9 at the break, tries from AJ McFarlane – scored while ‘Muir captain Sean Crombie was in the sin bin – and Ross Curle plus a conversion and a penalty from Sylvain Diez being answered for ‘Muir by three Ally Warnock penalties.

Robbie Ferguson scored Ayr’s third try early in the second half, but Ian Moody cancelled this out straight from the re-start. Then, after Diez and Warnock had exchanged penalties, Grant Anderson’s try earned Ayr the bonus point and, with Boroughmuir fading, the home pack drove replacement Scott Sutherland over in the final minute to complete the scoring.