North Berwick 13 - 8 Strathmore: Craig is the main man for North Berwick

NORTH Berwick hero Grant Craig is looking forward to a bright future at the club after the East Lothian outfit won the Scottish Hydro Regional Bowl.

The 28-year-old stand-off kicked eight points and was at the heart of all his side's other good play as the East One champions completed the double by seeing off Forfar-based Strathmore 13-8 at Murrayfield on Saturday.

The man of the match said: "To win the double this season has been superb. The league was the most important thing after being in East One for eight seasons, but to get a day out at Murrayfield is great for all connected with the club.

"The majority of the squad playing in this match have come through North Berwick High School and Ken Macaulay and others at the club have worked hard to retain all the good local players and we enjoying playing together."

On Saturday North Berwick led 10-0 at the break, but it could have been more after a dominant first 40 minutes. Craig's penalty had given his side the lead after 25 minutes when Strathmore skipper Jamie Wilson was in the sin-bin, but their next points did not come until just before half-time.

A good team move saw centre Peter Gannon go over in the corner for a try with Craig, who has been in great kicking form this term, knocked over the conversion from the touchline.

Strathmore needed to up their game after the interval to get back into things and a try by the prolific Niall Lear, his 23rd of the season from the wing, pulled it back to 13-5.

Craig and Strathmore full-back Brad McKenzie then swapped penalties to set up an exciting last 20 minutes, but despite Lear's best efforts North Berwick stood firm to claim the silverware.

Scorers:

North Berwick: Try: Gannon. Pens: Craig 2. Con: Craig.

Strathmore: Try: Lear. Pen: McKenzie.

TEAMS

North Berwick: D Waldman; G Fairgrieve, P Gannon, R Richie, C Lauder; G Craig, G Spence; C Cockburn, B Buchanan, A Gallacher, R Freer, I Dove, R Macaulay, J Dove, T Dale. Subs: D Thorburn, L Inglis, B Inglis, S Smith, B Lowe, J Armstrong, C Ewer.

Strathmore: B McKenzie; M Marshall, C Strachan, S Ross, N Lear; M Bruce, L Knox; C Sim, K Mitchell, G Strachan, S Gray, J Westwood, B Morrice, J Wilson, C Bell. Subs: G Durward, T Malkowski, J Kiely, M Lamont, G Watson, G Black, J Mclaren.

Referee: J-M Burel.