Rugby: Inspired Biggar win Cup battle in Hartreemill mud

With both sides having won their opening matches in the three team pool, the prize for the winners of Saturday’s clash was a place in the next phase of the competition. And it started well for ’Sonians who eased into a 14-0 lead through tries by Dougie Brown and Tom Hart, both of them converted by Brian Walls.

However, the hosts fought their way back into the game with a try from Joe Scheres just before half time and adapted better to the difficult conditions in the second period. Craig Parker brought the home side within striking distance when he landed a penalty and he also stroked over the conversions after Suti Faamausili and Josh Harvey had touched down for a try apiece as Biggar took control of the match.

And, after surviving a renewed onslaught from the visitors, they ensured their progress in the competition when Parker dotted down for try number four.

With their interest in the cup now over, the Myreside men will focus their attentions on preparing for the club’s main objective – securing a return to the Premiership top flight for next season – when league action resumes in the new year.

Meanwhile, Lasswade’s run of disappointing results in RBS Premiership Division Three continued when they tumbled to a fourth successive defeat.

This time Dave Cockburn’s side went down 23-10 away to lowly Dundee outfit Morgan Academy. The hosts reached the interval with a 16-0 advantage and although Lasswade outscored their opponents in the second half, a try by Kyle Smith plus five points from the boot of Nick Wood were not enough.

The result allowed Morgan to open a ten point gap on Haddington, who suffered another painful loss when they were beaten 20-19 by Dalziel at a windswept Neilson Park.

The Scarlets had tries by Niall Jeffrey, Mike Leggitt and Cal Davis plus two conversions by Neil Watt but those scores were not enough for Haddington, who had to settle for a narrow defeat bonus point.

Elsewhere, with the club programme in disarray during the mid-season break from league action in the top divisions, Heriot’s welcomed Dundee High for a friendly. The Goldenacre men were 19-17 in arrears at the interval and eventually went down 31-22.