Stirling County 32 - 24 Currie: County claim Currie double

SKIPPER Alex Moffat could not disguise his delight after leading his side to a double this season over Currie.

“It’s the first time we’ve done that in my time here, and I’m delighted,” he said. “We played really well. They had a big, physical pack and we matched them.”

Indeed, it was up front that the contest was decided. Moffat was, in fact, overly modest: County’s forwards were more than the equal of the visiting pack, outgunning their opponents in the loose and set piece to provide a platform for the win. If truth be told, the final score somewhat flattered Currie, only two late tries bringing them within touching distance of Stirling as the home side tired, in large part due to a lack of match fitness after very few games in recent months.

Tries by Ruaridh Leishman, Ben Addison, Moffat and Brian Archibald, the last named also adding two penalties and three conversions, had Stirling apparently home and dry at 32-12 with six minutes remaining. Currie’s tally to that point had come from Gary Temple and Andy MacMahon tries, the latter goalled by Jamie Forbes. Then, in a furious finale, Forbes touched down and converted, and Dave Smith went over in the corner to provide a thrilling conclusion.

Coach Ally Donaldson said: “We have no excuse whatsoever. We let in soft tries and that was unlike us. But they’re a good team and difficult to beat at home. We gave them too much of a start, though we did rally well and, if we’d converted that last score, we’d have been pressing for a win.”