West of Scotland 38 - 38 Currie

IT WAS Burnbrae for thrills as ten tries were scored in a pulsating match where the three points that West gained are more acceptable in their fight to avoid the split than the two that got away from the champions who are under pressure to stay in contention for the title.

There was an unfamiliar look to the Currie starting line up with captain Andy Adam in the stand and regulars John Cox (prop) and Richard Snedden (scrum half) on the bench. If the Malleny men had under-estimated West they soon saw the home team's qualities as they built up a 28-5 half time lead.

Scrum half Murray McConnell was at the heart of the opening tries dotted down by Jonathan Curteis and Calum McKenzie. Stand-off Ally Stevenson weighed in with three penalties and a conversion and when he converted a try from Dave Young from forward momentum in 38 minutes West turned happy.

Currie were far from chuffed and with the big guns off the bench they had the try bonus by the 52nd minute. Touch downs were added to Matt Scott's first half effort by Ryan Wilson (2) and Johnny Smith who converted two. However, West stretched their lead to 38-24 thanks to a try by Kyle Matheson converted by Stevenson who kicked a penalty.

Back came the visitors to snatch a draw with tries from Jim Johnstone and Cox both converted by Smith.

Scorers: West of Scotland: Tries: Curteis, McKenzie, Young, Matheson. Cons: Stevenson 3. Pens: Stevenson 4. Currie: Tries: Wilson (2), Scott, Smith, Johnstone, Cox. Cons: Smith 4.

West of Scotland: M Sim; J Curteis, R Dalgleish, K Matheson, C McKenzie; A Stevenson, M McConnell; E McLaren, D McKenna, C Marshall, M Jenkinson, R McAlpine, D Young, D McFarlane, J Walker. Subs used: I Henderson, S Carmichael, G Fisken, A McCall Hagen, C Davis.

Currie: J Smith; A Whittingham, J Johnston, A MacMahon, D Fife; M Scott, A Binikos; N Scobie, F Scott, R Merrilees, R Wilson, G Temple, M Cairns, M Entwhistle, R Weston. Subs used: S Simonsen, J Cox, M Blair, R Snedden, A Easson.

Referee: D Walker (Irvine)