Heriot’s 15 - 12 Boroughmuir: Heriot’s lift spirits with derby triumph

HERIOT’S snatched a dramatic victory in a hard-fought Edinburgh derby at windswept Goldenacre yesterday, deriving a massive confidence boost as they prepare to battle for top-flight survival in the second half of the season, writes Colin Renton

The hosts went into the match needing bonus-point wins in each of their two remaining pre-split fixtures plus favourable results elsewhere to secure a top-eight place. And, although they began with intent, the visitors struck first when Steve Wilson sent Iain Moody through a gaping hole in the home defence on Boroughmuir’s first attack of note. Ally Warnock added the conversion before the visitors refocused their efforts on defensive chores.

Heriot’s could not be faulted for perspiration but they paid the price for a dearth of inspiration in sight of the line when they failed to take points from a sustained spell of pressure and reached the break seven points adrift.

Having failed to unlock the Boroughmuir defence, the hosts resorted to the boot of captain Graham Wilson to open their account with a penalty immediately after the restart.

However, the visitors responded with a try from skipper Sean Crombie who gathered a speculative long pass from Warnock and swatted off Colin Goudie before thundering over.

Heriot’s finally crossed the Boroughmuir line in 63 minutes when Fraser Brown applied the final touch after the home pack drove over, and they grabbed the win when Andrew Scott squeezed in at the corner and Wilson converted.