East Lothian Courier | Sport | Haddington hand out cup warning

Friday, 25th July, 2008

Published: Thursday, 27th March, 2008 11:30

Haddington hand out cup warning

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HANDS OFF: Haddington centre Callum Mark breaks free of a Jedforest tackle in a match that was a dress rehearsal for the forthcoming cup quarter-final

Haddington 39 v 17 Jedforest

Haddington handed out a cup warning to their opponents in the quarter-finals on April 5, after this hard fought Premier Division Two match at Neilson Park last Saturday.

This result also ensures fourth spot in the division for the home side, having been promoted last season.

Only three minutes were on the clock when stand-off, Jamie Peters, put the home side in front with a well-struck penalty.

However, moments later the hosts were left stunned after a missed tackle allowed space out wide for the Jed winger, Roy McFarlane, to dive over for an unconverted try.

Peters added another penalty on 16 minutes to put the Scarlets back in front at 6 – 5.

The home forwards then drove over the Jed line for a well-worked try. Graham Waugh, came up with the ball under a ruck of players to claim the touchdown. Peters added the conversion to open up a 13 – 5 lead.

Paul Hill pulled a score back for another unconverted try for the visitors.

But Sam Johnston found a gap to scamper through before selling an outrageous dummy to the Jed full-back on his way to scoring under the posts for a converted try.

There was still time for Haddington to sneak another score beforehalf time. Brock Gibbon took advantage of space on the outside before slipping a timely pass to supporting full-back, Graham Crawford to romp home and increase the lead to 25 – 10.

Early in the second half, Jed winger, Robert Hogg took full advantage of a loose pass to intercept and run almost the length of the field to score a great try.

It was home prop, Craig Adam who deservedly got the next score. Peters knocked over the conversion for a 32 – 17 lead going into the last quarter.

The home side did not sit back and got their reward with a cleverly worked back row move that allowed Nico Maybury to stroll over the line. Peters again added the conversion to extend the Scarlets lead.

Brock Gibbon and Callum Cockburn both came close to adding even more points for the home side that would have reflected their second half superiority.

But there was no further scoring in a closely fought dress rehearsal for the forthcoming cup tie and, on the evidence of this match, promises to be a great contest.

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