Premier B and C: Cross tells Edinburgh Accies to get basics right

EDINBURGH Accies coach Simon Cross drummed it into his troops that if they were to perform the simple and basic rugby tasks well they could compete with Premier One opposition.

And his pep-talk bore fruit immediately as he watched them launch the second phase of the league season with a 31-22 Group B success against Selkirk at Raeburn Place.

Cross declared: "Nothing needs to change against these teams. The players have to trust their fitness and techniques. If they continue to do the simple things well, the results will take care of themselves."

John McSorley, Mike Lynas, Dan Teague and Johnny Adam emerged as the Accies try stars. Ruaridh Bonner was also in fine form with the boot to land four conversions and a penalty. Fraser Harkness went over twice for the struggling Borderers, while David Cassidy hit the target four times.

Aberdeen GSFP edged to glory 23-22 in a tense battle with Stirling County at Rubislaw. Mike Ottey, Grant Walker and Rob Lawson bagged the hosts' tries, with Rob Aloe claiming two penalties and a conversion.

Peebles pipped West of Scotland 24-22 at the Gytes, thanks to touchdowns by Ryan McConnell and Willie Aitken, along with a spate of goals from Neil Warnock. Elliot McLaren, Graham Fisken and Graham Horner replied for West, while Conor Davis had two coversions and a penalty.

In Group C, Gus Twaddle landed a late drop-goal to clinch a 29-26 success for Hillhead/JordanHill at Falkirk. Scott Riddell snapped up a hat-trick of tries as Stewart's Melville demolished Jed-Forest 56-24.