Rugby: Convincing win gives coach McGeary a perfect start at Preston Lodge

Craig McGeary got his tenure as Preston Lodge coach off to a winning start as they defeated North Berwick in an exciting East Lothian derby on the opening day of the new-look RBS East One season.

The former Musselburgh coach was in charge of his
team for the first time in a 
competitive match at the 
Pennypit on Saturday, while Rhodri Thomas was in the same position at the helm for North Berwick.

After an entertaining first half PL took a 19-6 lead heading into the break thanks to tries by Ian MacIntosh, Rory Monks and Lee Inglis and two conversions by Graeme Paterson. The visitors’ points in the first 40 minutes came from two penalties by Grant Craig.

In the second half, a try by Sam Hughes and a third penalty by Craig for North Berwick reduced the deficit to 19-14 before PL managed to pull away with 14 unanswered points.

They came through converted tries by Greg Kinross and Paul Voy as they won 33-14.

PL’s bonus point victory was not enough to see them top the fledgling table, that honour going to Livingston after they defeated Dunbar 37-5.

RHC Cougars, Portobello and Linlithgow also recorded bonus point victories over Langholm, Berwick and Duns respectively.

On the opening day in East Two, the local clubs to notch wins were Lismore, Dalkeith and Trinity Accies – the latter winning 44-3 at Edinburgh Northern.

In East Three, Inverleith were impressive in posting a 51-19 win at Walkerburn while Penicuik defeated Moray House 43-10.