Schools rugby: Merchiston strength too much for rivals Loretto

Merchiston revealed their strength on the schools circuit this season with what was an eventually convincing win by 40-19 over their traditional rivals, Loretto, at Colinton on Saturday to build confidence ahead of their meeting this weekend with Dollar, the 30-7 winners over Dundee High School.

The home side had to work hard to break down Loretto's defence and were only one point to the good at half-time when they led 14-13, before picking up the tempo in the second period.

Before travelling to Dollar on Saturday, Merchiston are due to play their first-round Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools under 18 Cup match against Buckhaven High School tomorrow. Buckhaven reached the first round after Boroughmuir High School withdrew from the preliminary round.

Another school building a head of steam is Edinburgh Academy, who made it two wins from two games with a 42-18 win over Fettes College, their best score coming from a 60 metre defence-slicing run from Chris Dean.

Edinburgh Academy are the Brewin Dolphin under-18 Cup holders and took the first step towards a defence of the title by reaching the last 16. It was quite literally effortless progress, courtesy of Kelso High School's withdrawal from the first round match between the two sides. The Academy's under-16 side also advanced to the last 16 with a 53-3 win over Bell-Baxter High School.

Also through to the last 16 are Heriot's, winners by 19-9 over Glenalmond, and Stewart's-Melville, who had an overwhelming 90-0 win over Royal High School.

Heriot's and Stewart's-Melville then met on Saturday with the Inverleith side emerging winners by 28-5 with tries from centre Adam Greig, stand-off Alex Haggart, winger Andrew Hughes, and prop Hugh Lindsay. Stewart's-Melville face Fettes today.

Meanwhile, George Watson's College beat Palmerston North Boys High School 28-0 at Myreside yesterday with four converted tries. Rhys Davies scored two of his side's touchdowns, the others coming from Ramsay Young and Dominic Johnston. All four tries were converted by stand-off Andrew McMillan.

Elsewhere, Robert Gordon's College drew 12-12 with Strathallan, who face Dundee High School in the u18 Cup today, while St Aloysius College beat Hutchesons' Grammar 29-6 ahead of their Cup game today against Dollar at Millerston.

Glasgow High School, meanwhile had a 33-0 win over St Columba's and will be hoping to carry their form into their Cup game against Loretto in Musselburgh tomorrow.