Whitecraigs lose first game of the season

WHITECRAIGS — so far undefeated this season — were handed their first loss by a team featuring two former Craigs players.

Former stand off Ally Stevenson and youth product Greg Haswell featured in the West of Scotland team visiting West lodge in cup action.

The southsiders have been dominant in premier three, coached by former West flanker John Shaw, while their opponents sit near the bottom of premier one.

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Whitecraigs showed on Saturday that they can more than compete with top tier opposition — even taking the lead at one point in the opening half.

Although the visitors were first on the board with three points from Stevenson, a rally from the home forwards resulted in a Fraser Campbell try to make the score 5-3.

West later grabbed the momentum with a try from scrum half Mark Davis, converted by fellow half back Ally Stevenson.

Points were hard to come by for both teams in the second 40, with scrappy defence from both teams.

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It wasn't until the closing minute that West managed to finally change the scoreline when an Elliot McLaren try made it 15-5 for West of Scotland.

Afterwards head coach John Shaw told ExtraSport: "I was proud of the players' efforts as they worked hard against west and dominated in the scrums.

"It was just disappointing that we couldn't see the game through.But in the end missing four or five regular players hurt us".

Coach Shaw concluded on a positive note observing: : "The experience will have been good ahead of some key league fixtures this week".

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Meanwhile, a few miles north Dumbreck, visiting Heriot's ensured a clean sweep of the southside for premier one teams, when they defeated Cartha 29-8.

However neighbours GHA were the only members of the local trio tasting success at the weekend, thanks to a late three-try surge in the final 15 minutes saving the Braidholm side's blushes.

Dunfermline were the visitors, and despite not convincing in premier three league action, their heavy pack proved a challenge for GHA.

Niall Cassie was again an example to the team, scoring two tries and playing both centre and number eight at different points in the game.

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The captain sparked the late revival with his second score, then Jamie Auld and Gordon Adams added tries of their own to secure a 30-17 win.

This Saturday Kircaldy visit GHA, while Whitecraigs face a trip to Hamilton and Haddington will host Cartha.