Rugby: Accies warm up with win at Watsonians

Blair, the former Edinburgh player, pulled the strings in the first half from stand-off as Accies built up a 22-8 lead. In the second half, as Watsonians looked like they were coming back into things, Blair then ran in two tries to help seal victory in what was a useful exercise for both clubs.

Certainly, the way the Accies forwards took the game to ’Sonians in the first 40 minutes will have pleased new head coach Jonny Else, while his opposite number Marcus Di Rollo will have enjoyed the way his side fought back after the break.

Elsewhere in the capital on Saturday, Heriot’s finished off their pre-season campaign with a good win over Tynedale. And Gala headed back to the Borders with a 38-10 victory over Boroughmuir, Alan Emond and Andy McLean were among the try scorers, while new stand-off Dave O’Hagen, formerly of Musselburgh, showed up well.

Hawick return to the top flight on the back of a 12-5 home defeat to Ballymena while reigning champions Ayr lost in a cracker at Blaydon. The home side eventually won 29-26, Ayr’s four tries coming from a hat-trick by Nick Cox and one from Craig Brown.

The other top-flight club in pre-season action this weekend were Glasgow Hawks, who won 39-21 at Whitecraigs on Friday night.

Many friendlies were also played at the weekend involving lower league sides. Hamilton brought back a 40-7 win from Kirkcaldy, while RBS National League new boys GHA won 54-30 against Musselburgh.

Peebles went top of the Booker Border League Pool A table with a 26-10 away win at Hawick YM.