Competitions continue to gather pace as another weekend unfolds

It was the visitors who put the first points on the scoreboard, opening the scoring inside two minutes after a strong run from flanker Manuel Barbosa. However, the powerful mauling and forward play of the hosts was to be a feature throughout the morning, with Harry Peters crossing the whitewash following a sustained period of pressure from the pack to level the scores.

Captain Sam Manson then powered his way over to put the hosts ahead, a lead they would never relinquish. Further tries from winger Harry Mackay and scrum-half Tom Brydie saw Erskine Stewart Melville establish a commanding 31-7 lead at half-time.

Stirling County were not prepared to let the hosts dominate proceedings and produced a strong second-half response, with tries from both their powerful pack and backline. Scrum-half Adam Wood started the fightback before a second try for the powerful Portuguese flanker Manuel Barbosa brought County back into the contest. Captain Harris Montgomery then completed the scoring for the visitors with a try after another determined passage of play.

Erskine Stewart Melville continued to make good use of their maul, with further tries from Thomas Graves and Murray Dickson, before Tom Brydie scored his second try of the match to complete the hosts’ scoring.

The final score was Erskine Stewart Melville 48-29 Stirling County.

The victory keeps Erskine Stewart Melville at the top of Pool B, with their next fixture coming against Glenalmond College. Glenalmond also enjoyed a convincing win at the weekend, defeating Ayr 62-19. The result leaves the two sides occupying the top two places in Pool B.

Elsewhere in Pool B, Strathallan School hosted Marr Rugby on Friday night, with the hosts securing a 27-10 victory.

Over in Pool A of the Boys’ U18 Open Competition, Dollar Academy fell to visitors George Watson’s College 36-14. Merchiston Castle School made it a difficult day for GHA, who are still searching for their first win in the competition, with Merchiston running out 74-14 winners.

The final game of the weekend also took place in Pool A on Friday, with Boroughmuir Rugby hosting Edinburgh Academy. Edinburgh Academy currently lead Pool A, while Boroughmuir sit in fourth place. Edinburgh Academy once again dominated, securing a convincing 47-10 victory.

Arnold Clark Women’s Premiership

All eyes were on Bridgehaugh for a huge Round 2 contest in the Arnold Clark Women’s Premiership between Stirling County and Watsonians.

Despite it still being early in the season, Stirling County are already making their mark as the team to beat. A strong performance from the hosts, including three tries from standout performer Ellie Williamson, saw Stirling County defeat Watsonians 50-24. Despite the defeat, Watsonians were able to travel back to Myreside with a try-scoring bonus point.

Heriot’s Rugby Women bounced back from their Round One defeat to get their campaign back on track with a 69-22 victory over Cartha Queens Park.

There was a closely fought contest in the capital between Corstorphine RFC and Biggar RFC, with Gavin Emerson’s side narrowly losing out by a single point. Biggar continued their winning streak with a 20-19 victory.

Garioch made the trip to Hillhead Jordanhill RFC, with the hosts looking to build on their opening-round performance. Hillhead produced another dominant display, running out 92-0 winners.

Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership

Currie Chieftains welcomed Melrose Rugby to Malleny Park in a top-half-of-the-table battle. After edging out Heriot’s Rugby Men last week, Currie came into the game hoping to continue their winning streak. However, Melrose were also looking to make it three wins from three.

The Borderers headed into the final minute with the lead, but Currie fly-half Alex Harley had the final say, scoring in the closing stages to snatch victory for the hosts. Melrose were left to travel home with a losing bonus point, as Currie secured a 32-27 win.

It wasn’t as straightforward for the men at Millbrae as it had been in the previous two rounds. Ayr RFC welcomed Hawick RFC, with the Borderers holding the defending champions to 0-0 until the 37th minute. Once Ayr finally got points on the board, however, they showed exactly why they are the team to beat, running out 33-3 winners.

GHA RFC picked up their first win of the season at Braidholm after a dominant second-half performance against Edinburgh Accies. The hosts pulled away after the break to secure a convincing 38-12 victory.

Glasgow Hawks endured a frustrating afternoon against Watsonians, spending much of the second half camped on the visitors’ line but unable to turn their pressure into points. Watsonians capitalised on their opportunities to leave Balgray with a bonus-point victory and continue their strong run of form.

Heriot’s Rugby Men bounced back from last week’s defeat to Currie with a convincing 57-12 victory over Kelso RFC. Heriot’s were in control throughout, with Isaac Coates putting in a standout performance and successfully kicking four conversions.