Rugby: Cross proud of his title-winning Accies after try-fest in home win

The Capital side bagged six of the game's ten touchdowns in a free flowing contest that capped an important week for Accies. Coming immediately after pre-match celebrations of the 140th anniversary of Raeburn Place hosting the first rugby international, the win capped a successful first season for Cross and reaffirmed that his role carries substantial responsibility.

"I'm a bit old school," he said. "I value the club system and the tradition of the game so I am very aware of the family values, the rich tradition and the history of this club and I am very proud to be the head coach."

While declaring his ambition to use his period at the helm of Accies to acquire the experience that will eventually lead to a full-time coaching role, Cross is looking forward to Premiership One rugby and an opportunity to build on this season's success.

"You have to earn your stripes as a coach. Accies is not the kind of place where you just hang around for a couple of years," said the former Edinburgh Rugby skipper.

"But it's no secret that I want to eventually be a pro coach and I see Accies as a vehicle I can use to help me get there.

"We are looking at more of the same next season. This is a very exciting group with an average age of 22. It's a squad with a lot of very talented individuals."

The skill and pace of the Accies players was evident throughout Saturday's encounter although they were given a tough work out by a side that made a significant contribution to an entertaining contest played in fine spirit.

The visitors bagged the opening score in four minutes when Jonny Curteis hurtled down the right flank then capped a tidy exchange of passes with a touchdown. The Accies response was almost instant, with Gavin Douglas scything through the West defence and freeing Josh Pecqueur for the equalising score.

Jack Walker drove over for West after a series of close range efforts, and Mark Davis added the conversion, but Accies again responded in kind when Greg Campbell plunged over. And the hosts moved into the lead for the first time when Callum Reid darted over to leave Ruaridh Bonner a straightforward conversion. However, the visitors ended the first period in the ascendancy and grabbed a 19-17 advantage at the break when Richard Dalgleish dotted down for his side's third score and Davis converted.

A similar pattern of ebb and flow unfolded after the restart with Accies regaining the lead when prop Senzo Ngubane showed an impressive turn of pace to gallop up the wing and claim the bonus point score. The hosts surrendered their three point advantage 12 minutes later when Laurie Porelli sprinted in at the corner. Davis converted then extended West's lead to seven points with a long range penalty.

Cross was unhappy with the looseness of the Accies defensive effort but gave credit for the determination of his men, and that commodity was evident as they raised the pace for the final 15 minutes and drew level when Campbell powered his way over for a second time, with Bonner slotting the conversion.

And the hosts finally beat off the determined visitors when Bonner stroked over a close range penalty and Sam Atkin raced in at the corner.

"It was a bit of a microcosm of our season," said Cross. "I was disappointed - it was more like a performance you would expect at the start of the season rather than at the end of it. But, in terms of endeavour I was very proud of the players.

"When we got it right, we played some outstanding stuff." And he is confident that Accies can compete at the higher level next season, adding: "This group has done very well and we have a few guys coming through from the Academy and Trinity. I am excited by what is happening at the club."

Scorers: Edinburgh Accies: Tries: Pecqueur, Campbell (2), Reid, Ngubane, Atkin. Cons: Bonner (2). Pen: Bonner. West of Scotland: Tries: Curteis, Walker, Dalgleish, Porelli. Cons: Davis (3). Pen: Davis

Edinburgh Accies: J Pecqueur, M Coupar, G Douglas, I Berthinussen, S Atkin, R Bonner, J Munro, S Ngubane, M Liness, K Blyth, R Snape, G Campbell, D Teague, C Reid, T Drennan. Subs: used: J McSorley, D MacLeod, S Jeffers, J Letham.

West of Scotland: C McKenzie, J Curteis, R Dalgleish, S Malone, K Matheson, A Stevenson, M Davis, S Longwell, G Haswell, A Hunter, D Gray, R McAlpine, D Young, A De Ste Croix, J Walker. Subs used: E McLaren, D McKenna, L Porelli, C McConnell.

Referee: J Van Der Merwe.

simon cross