Stirling County 27 - 25 Hawick: Coaches point finger at referee after untidy game

RIVAL coaches Eddie Pollock and Deke Armstrong rounded on "guest" referee John Meredith after County edged a stop-start contest at Bridgehaugh.

Englishman Meredith was on exchange duty - and left a negative impression. Stirling's Eddie Pollock, though relieved at the outcome, said: "All I want from a referee is consistency, but Hawick gave away penalties all through the game with never a hint of a yellow card.

"Then from us looking like we could get a bonus point, because we had really got on top of the game in the last 15 or 20 minutes, all of a sudden we were scrambling to try to save the game because two of our lads were in the sin-bin.

"On the positive side, we are giving ourselves the chance to be in the top eight because two of our last three games are also at home."

Armstrong added: "I'm really disappointed. I don't like blaming the referee but some of his decisions I couldn't understand."

Stuart Edwards was the toast of the County fans with a 19-point haul. County had the bulk of possession and territory in the opening exchanges and Edwards stroked over two penalties to give them the edge.

Full-back Robbie McGowan added a clever dropped-goal - only to see Hawick click into attacking gear and grab the initiative midway through the half.

First, centre Stuart Hogg finished off a free-flowing move, then midfield partner Alex Dunbar broke through to take advantage of hesitancy among the home markers.

Hutton added one conversion to give the Greens a two-point advantage in the lead-up to the interval. But County snatched back the momentum thanks to a touchdown from Mike Doneghan. After the restart, Edwards and Neil Renwick became involved in a private penalty duel as Stirling lost the lead again - and seized it back.

Edwards completed his memorable day by goaling his own try, then David Lowrie made sure of a consolation point for the Borderers with a last-minute effort, converted by Renwick.

Scorers: Stirling County - Tries: Doneghan, S Edwards. Con: S Edwards. Pens: S Edwards 4. DG: McGowan.

Hawick - Tries: S Hogg, Dunbar, Lowrie. Con: Hutton, Renwick. Pens: Renwick 2

Stirling County: R McGowan; G Lindsay, D Gilmour, B Archibald, M Doneghan; S Edwards, S Kennedy; M McDonald, A Moffat, C Black, T Edwards, G Gilchrist, C Eadie, T Clarke, B Bersanti. Subs: D Morrison, A Simpson, D Denton, C Deacons, B Addison

Hawick: G Hogg; N Renwick, S Hogg, A Dunbar, G Anderson; R Hutton, G Cottrell; A Marsh, L Gibson, S Linton, C Charters, M Robertson, D Lowrie, D Landels, B McNeil. Subs: G Johnstone, M Graham, K Davies, N McTaggart, H Scammell.

Referee: J Meredith.