Stirling County 30 - 20 Aberdeen Grammar: Archibald kicks County into top eight

STIRLING County confined their dreadful three-defeat start to the season to the history books, moving effortlessly into the coveted top eight of Premier 1 at the expense of Aberdeen Grammar who did not relish the heavy going at Bridgehaugh.

The northerners were always chasing the game, never fully recovering from a second minute assault on its line which led to a try for County captain and hooker Alex Moffat who enjoyed a fine afternoon in the company of his rampant pack teammates Mike McDonald and Garry Mountford.

Scrum-half David Daw also had a great game, joining his skipper and McDonald on the score sheet.

However, if the trio of try scorers were the talk of the town it was long-serving centre Brian Archibald who ensured it would be a good day for the resurgent home side, kicking all six of his attempts at goal, including three conversions and three penalties.

Aberdeen had their own hero as they battled back in a bid to overturn a 27-12 half-time deficit in winger Erlend Oag who has stepped up from the ranks of Premier 3 side Perthshire to claim two breathtaking tries. And centre Will Wardlaw from Howe of Fife scored his fourth of the season.

County assistant coach Graeme Young said: “More tries would have been good, and I think no more than we deserved.’’

For his part, Aberdeen head coach Alex Duncan noted: “We finished the stronger, and equalled their try count, though we need more of an edge.’’

Scorers: Stirling County – Tries: Moffat, Maw, McDonald. Cons: Archibald (3). Pens: Archibald (3) Aberdeen – Tries: Oag (2), Wardlaw. Con: Aloe. Pen: Aloe.

Stirling County: B Addison; G Lindsay, D Gilmour, B Archibald, R Aitken; S Edwards, D Maw; M McDonald, A Moffat(c), R McAlpine, G Mountford, C Deacons, T Clarke, R Boswell, S Swindell. Subs used: A Simpson, S Brady, J Mountford, B Barsanti, C Robertson.

Aberdeen: S Aitken; E Oag, W Wardlaw, W Percival, A Alapati; R Aloe, R Lawson; N Fraser, S O’Connor, R Allen, R Barrie, M Douglas (c), S Warnock, T McGinness, G Ryan. Subs used: M Dixon, C McConnachie, S Smith, F Lyle, M Ward.

Referee: J van der Merwe.