Stewart's Melville 24 - 13 GHA: Self belief is all as Stewart's Melville secure mid-table place

The result leaves the Edinburgh side in mid-table and extends their winning sequence since the league split to three matches.

Their coach, Bruce MacNaughton, acknowledged the importance of the result to his side's Premiership Division Two survival bid, saying: "It was a win and that was the most important thing. There was a bit of pressure on the boys.

"We started off brilliantly, but they (GHA) are fighting for their lives as well, and teams just aren't going to lie down. They are not a bad side - very physical up front - but we made some silly mistakes that let them back into the game."

That fast-paced opening produced two penalties for stand off Nick McCashin, who controlled the match for the hosts. The former Bay of Plenty professional is using the Scottish club scene as a platform to recuperate after an injury. His use of the boot and strong running have prompted a surge in confidence among the players around him. And, on Saturday, that belief was a factor in the solid performance of a back division that had excellent contributions from Liam Steele and Hayden Lingard, and a workmanlike effort from a pack that was well led by skipper Scott Brewster.

The task up front was far from easy against a combative GHA team that had its share of solid contributors, with hooker Donald Malcolm catching the eye, while Ross McClymont at full back epitomised the determination of the visitors to battle for survival.

Overanxiety in sight of the line cost them scoring opportunities before McCashin slotted another penalty. Then, when his fourth effort rattled back off a post, a knock-on by GHA produced a scrum that created the platform for Steele to go over for a try, which McCashin converted.

A five pointer by Andrew Rushforth hauled GHA back into the match at the break and they responded to another penalty for the hosts with a touchdown from skipper Niall Cassie, which capped a sustained spell of pressure.

However, a score from Lingard 17 minutes before full time proved decisive, and a penalty by Murray Houston was little more than a final defiant gesture by the visitors, for whom relegation is looming.

Scorers: Stewart's Melville: Tries: Steele, Lingard. Con: McCashin. Pens: McCashin (4)

GHA: Tries: Rushforth, Cassie. Pen: Houston

Stewart's Melville: L Steele; R Borthwick, H Lingard, S Trotter, A Broatch; N McCashin, R Patterson; A Davidson, G Turner, J Kynoch, A Statham, S Brewster, A Lean, D Sangster, S Riddell.Subs: S Blackwood, A Edmonstone, G Black, A Borland

GHA: R McClymont; A Gillman, N Cassie, A Rushforth, R Hughes; D Dunn, M Houston; M Kidd, D Malcolm, J Low, R Jenkins, S Shearer, E MacLeod, J Pinder, D Kellock. Subs: G Warnock, A Barnett, J Auld, R Jericevich

Referee: G Knox