East Lothian Courier | Sport | Preston Lodge take high road to semi’s

Saturday, 17th May, 2008

Published: Thursday, 10th April, 2008 11:00

Preston Lodge take high road to semi’s

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GREAT highs – and crushing lows – were experienced by the county’s rugby players last Saturday.

Preston Lodge took the high road past Western District side Loch Lomond to reach the semi-finals of the SHE Bowl.

While in the Cup, Haddington narrowly lost out in their quarter-final against Jedforest.

But Musselburgh made sure of their survival in Premier Division Two, after an emphatic win against Hillhead/Jordanhill.

Preston Lodge committee member Johnston Craig had just heard the Bowl semi-final draw when he spoke to Courier Sport.

He said: “We have been drawn away to play Caithness at Thurso. It’s not necessarily what we would have chosen, from a logistical and costs point of view, but we have to be positive as they are in the bottom half of the division below us.

“But, although in theory, we should be favourites, we are taking nothing for granted. The best of teams have struggled up there.

“In fact, they beat us in one of the knockout tournaments a few years ago. But if we can get our best 15 players on to the field, then we can be quietly confident.”

Craig was delighted with the Preston Lodge performance in the previous round last Saturday.

He said: “It was an absolutley fantastic performance from us. We went for it right from the off.

“Although you try not to single out particular players, Ali Wood was phenomenal with five tries. His record this season has been absolutely amazing.”

The chances of two county teams appearing at finals day at Murrayfield in May ended at Neilson Park on Saturday when Haddington lost their quarter-final SHE Cup tie against Jedforest.

The Scarlets lost by a single point, courtesy of a late penalty.

Haddington vice-president Peter Brownlee admitted that the club was deeply disappointed.

“It is a blow,” he said. “But, hopefully, the players will learn from it.”

The first round draw for tomorrow’s (Saturday’s) Preston Lodge Sevens, at Pennypit, has thrown up a tasty clash between PL and Ross High. The full draw is:

Boroughmuir v Edinburgh Accies; Musselburgh v Edinburgh Northern; Portobello v Edinburgh University; Preston Lodge v Ross High; North Berwick v Rodent Barbarians; Murrayfield Wanderers v Inverleith; Haddington v Dunfermline; and Lismore v Dunbar. The first ties will take place at 1pm.

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