Heriot's lay marker with solid victory over Fettes

Full-back Grant Mollison ran in two tries, and there was one touchdown each from wingers John Rae and Mike Firoozi in an exciting display from the Heriot's side. "The boys played much better all round and managed to build on good defence and score some good tries against a strong Fettes side," said Heriot's coach, Matt Mallinson.

Heriot's, however, will have to raise their game when they play Stewart's-Melville College in what already looks like the Pool One decider. Stewart's-Melville head the group on points difference after romping to a 105-0 win over Gordonstoun at Inverleith. That game was not the only one-sided game in the group stage of the cup. In Pool Three, Loretto had a 89-0 win over past winners Bell-Baxter High School, while Merchiston went to the top of Pool Four after defeating Madras College 72-3.

Merchiston emerged from the prestigious two day St Joseph's tournament in Felixstowe with distinction after qualifying for a place in the top group and then finishing fifth.

Merchiston made sure of qualifying on the first day of play with wins over Dulwich College (17-7) and Stamford (18-3), their only defeat being at the hands of Bedford School (21-7). Then on the second day, Merchiston lost to Millfield School 10-3 after conceding a late try but finished strongly with a 9-0 win over Whitchurch.

Elsewhere, Strathallan continued their good form this season with a 14-8 win over their Perthshire neighbours, Glenalmond, with tries from centre Chris King and Keith Buchan. For Glenalmond George Russell scored their only try.

Meanwhile, in the Edinburgh and Lothians Under-18 league, Musselburgh head the table with an unbeaten run of seven straight wins and look almost certain to progress to the National Youth Cup.

The Stoneyhill youth side came close last season, after losing narrowly to the eventual winners, Currie.