Southern Knights 46

Boroughmuir Bears 27

David Morrison

at The Greenyards

THERE'S a growing sense of optimism around The Greenyards following back-to-back wins over Boroughmuir by the Southern Knights.

But it's not just the scorelines which are giving pleasure to the growing number of fans - the standard of entertaining rugby is definitely improving.

There appeared to be a renewed sense of belief in the Knights' ranks on Sunday as they controlled the opening half hour of the match.

Following an early Jason Baggot penalty, Ciaran Whyte collected a long pass to out-sprint the defence for the opening try.

Approaching the quarter hour Struan Hutchison's clinical kick-through was also collected by Whyte to score his second try.

The Baggot conversion gave Knights a deserved 15-0 lead.

It was only bullish defending by Boroughmuir that prevented the home team extending their lead further.

And the visitors were rewarded for their tackling and discipline with a Kyle McGhie penalty on a rare foray out of their own half.

But normal service was resumed approaching the half hour as Baggot added another penalty.

And a few minutes later Grant Shiells was on hand to finish off some powerful drives with Southern's third try.

Baggot's conversion extended the advantage to 25-3.

All credit to the Bears for bounding back before the break.

Jordan Edmunds managed to charge down an attempted clearance and collected the loose ball to run in for a try.

McGhie made it 25-10 with the conversion.

For a brief few minutes at the start of the second half, a comeback looked on the cards with Greg Cannie racing over for another try.

But the Knights soon took control once more.

After steady build up play Fraser Renwick was at the back of the driving maul to touch down.

Baggot was accurate once again with the kick.

Just after the hour Boroughmuir showed off their own close control as Mesu Dolokotu scored a similar try at the other end.

McGhie added the extras.

Although Knights had maintained a healthy enough lead, the home support could finally taste the victory as Tom Galbraith dived over for Knights' sixth try of the afternoon.

With time ticking down Boroughmuir were rewarded with a bonus-point consolation as Cameron Gray collected a neat pass to dart over.

But it was the Knights who were to have the final say as they drove their way a good 10 metres before Renwick scored his second of the afternoon.

The Baggot kick took the Knights tally to 46 points - much to the delight of head coach Rob Chrystie.

He said: "I thought we attacked well and we dominated up front.

"We will need to look at why we conceded 27 points and look at improving our defence.

"But overall there is a lot to be pleased about."

Southern Knights: F Thomson, P Anderson, J Jenkins, G Wood, C Whyte, J Baggott, S Hutchison, G Shiells, R Anderson, E Mcquillan, D Redpath, A Runciman, R Knott, D Taylor & N Irvine-Hess. Reps: B Colvine, L Myelase-Julyan, T Galbraith, S Gunn, F Renwick, C Young, C Crookshanks & A Gregory.