Stirling County 26 - 45 Currie

County’s poor form ahead of their first ever British and Irish Cup contest continued as they slumped to another defeat, writes Martin Laing at Bridgehaugh.

But take nothing away from Currie: they deserved their victory. They led all the way and were unlucky not to have secured a four-try bonus point before the break, only two forward passes preventing them.

Instead, they led comfortably thanks to tries from Jamie Forbes, James Johnstone and Mike Entwistle, two converted by Forbes, who also nudged over two penalties. County – who host Neath on Saturday – just about kept in contention thanks to Brian Archibald, who scored all his side’s first-half points – a try, conversion and three penalties.

Forbes stretched Currie’s lead with the boot but Stirling then scored in the corner through Matt Lamb, Archibald adding the extras. Archibald again narrowed the gap but two kicks from Forbes pulled Currie away, and he iced the cake with a breakaway try he converted. Time was virtually up when Simeon James crossed, Forbes again on target with the extras.