Premier B: Casual stroll for County as they return to top division

There was a well-deserved air of satisfaction at Bridgehaugh on Saturday after Stirling County cemented their return to the top flight with a 37-10 drubbing of Peebles.

The home side dismissed the visitors with a powerful performance that was, however, something of a curate's egg. Despite their undoubted domination, Stirling were too casual at times and struggled for fluency in the second period.

The shortcomings were not lost on County head coach Eddie Pollock, who was nothing if not honest in his assessment. "The important thing today was to secure promotion and, from that point of view, it was job done, so I'm pleased with the result. But the second half was terrible and we didn't play well at all."

His view was echoed by backs coach Graeme Young. "In the first half, our ball retention was good. We played a lot of phases and we looked dangerous," the New Zealander said. "But, as the game went on, we started playing too much in our half and we got camped there. We kept making mistakes but we came back at the end to score a couple of tries which was pleasing."

Flanker Tim Clarke notched two of the touchdowns, the others coming from full-back Ben Addison, loose forward Benji Bersanti and replacement hooker Andy Simpson. Stand-off Jonny Hope nudged over three conversions and two penalties. For Peebles, wing Neil Hogarth and captain Drew Moore managed unconverted tries.

County travel to Gala in April when they will hope to clinch the divisional title, but the other three promotion slots are being fought over in an intriguing battle between Edinburgh Accies, Watsonians, Gala and Aberdeen.

Accies gave their hopes a boost with a spirited comeback to edge out Watsonians 22-16 at Raeburn Place. The home side registered first-half tries by Gavin Douglas and debutant Senzo Ngubane, the first converted by Ruaridh Bonner, but Watsonians held the interval advantage thanks to 13 points from Jamie Forbes, the full-back crossing the line for a try, which he converted, and adding two penalties. Forbes stretched the lead soon after the break, but Accies secured the bragging rights - and a bonus point - with late tries by Jamie Sole and Dan Teague.

Gala kept their grip on second place by winning 22-14 at Borders rivals Selkirk, and Aberdeen kept their hopes very much alive by crushing West 39-10 at Burnbrae.

The final outcome remains too close to call, with Aberdeen still to play both Accies (at Raeburn Place) and Watsonians (at Rubislaw). Accies also have a home fixture against West, while Watsonians' other match is away to Peebles.