Rugby: Watsonians still on course to beat drop despite defeat

A try by Jamie Blackwood, converted by Jamie Forbes, left the Myreside men 8-7 adrift at the break - with Gordon McCrorrie the scorer for the home side. Watsonians responded to a converted try by Alex Moffat for the hosts with a touchdown by Ben Di Rollo. However, Forbes failed to convert and Stirling sealed the win when Tim Clarke dotted down.

However, the defeat of fellow contenders Aberdeen Grammar limits the damage to Watsonians' effort.

Meanwhile, Haddington director of rugby Clifford Livingstone has urged his side to reproduce the gutsy effort they delivered in Saturday's Premier Cup tie as they battle to avoid relegation from the Premiership in their centenary year.

The Scarlets lost 36-14 at home to Melrose, but Livingstone is convinced that the youngsters in his side showed the character they will need as the league campaign approaches its climax.

"I thought they stuck in well. If we had performed like that we would be at the top of the league," he said. "We have been doing better against the better teams."

Haddington trailed 17-0 after half an hour, with Jamie Murray, Allan Dodds and Garry Elder all touching down, but the hosts rallied and Mike Legget raced in a for a try, converted by Ross King, before the Borderers struck again through Callum Anderson for a 22-7 half-time lead.

Livingstone's men defended gamely at the start of the second period and had passed up several scoring opportunities before Graeme Dodds bagged a converted Melrose score and Anderson touched down for his second.

But Haddington, whose centenary dinner takes place on Friday, had the last word when Quinton Caulfield crashed over and King converted.

"There is potential there," said Livingstone. "We are definitely good enough to stay up. It's a transitional period for the club. "It's a massive year for the club because it's our centenary but the most important thing is that we can build on what we've got here. This club has ambitions to play at a higher level."

Haddington's East Lothian neighbours Musselburgh also had a week away from the league survival battle when they travelled to face Falkirk on Premier Cup duty. Musselburgh will have taken heart from a battling performance in a 22-12 defeat against higher league opposition.

"We are definitely good enough to stay up. It's a transitional period for the club"

clifford livingstone