Aberdeen Grammar 18-11 Stirling County

ABERDEEN Grammar shrugged off their injury problems which deprived them of five players to win the all-Caledonia clash against a Stirling County side who never seriously threatened the home defence until late in the second half, writes Jack Nixon at Rubislaw.

After a poor first half, tied up at three points apiece, Grammar were quickly out of the blocks, scoring a fine individual try through winger Calum Gordon less than a minute into the second 40.

Mark Ryan failed to add to his first-half penalty, but went on to add a drop goal, while converting the matchwinning try, scored by lock Ed Nimmons in the 70th minute. The home stand-off was a key figure on a day when his two brothers – centre Sam and flanker Greg – were also in the Rubislaw starting XV. Ironically, Mark and captain Greg were both yellow-carded in what was an otherwise joyous first for the Ryans.

Brian Archibald had given County hope with a first-half penalty. Trailing 8-3 just after the break, Stirling stand-off Stuart Edwards closed the gap with a snap goal, only for Grammar to pull away, Mark Ryan adding a drop goal of his own to his earlier conversion and penalty. A try two minutes from time by lock Craig Deacons gave the visitors the consolation of a losing bonus point, but pushes them into second bottom place.