Dalziel 19 Haddington 35

HADDINGTON recorded their first National 3 win of the season with a bonus-point success over fellow strugglers Dalziel on Saturday.

The Reds secured maximum points through braces from full-back Kyle Adams and lock Ben Laing, while back-row Jordan Coombes grabbed his first try for the club on his second appearance.

Stand-off Sam Morley added the rest of the points from the tee as Rhodri Thomas’ side won for the first time since cup success over West of Scotland in August.

They made a superb start, with Laing touching down inside the opening 10 minutes after a powerful maul.

Morley missed the touchline conversion and the home side levelled when prop David Bergvall had his pass intercepted, allowing Dalziel to go the length to score.

The Reds stand-off missed a penalty attempt and the scores were locked at 5-5 for much of the half.

It took a moment of brilliance from Adams to give the Reds an interval lead as he dived over for their second try with the first half’s final play.

Morley’s conversion meant the Reds led 5-12 at the break.

In a carbon-copy start to the second half, the Reds dominated early on and Laing, a rare try scorer, was again driven over by his pack colleagues.

The conversion was good from out wide and the Reds’ lead was extended to 14 points.

The hosts struck back with their second try after some poor Reds defence but Coombes’ score gave the visitors some breathing space.

Morley added two penalties to give them an 11-point cushion, before Adams’ second try sealed the bonus point late on.

The full-back combined with brothers Alex and James Ferguson to ghost clear up the touchline and dive over.

Rhodri Thomas’ side are now in 10th place but two points shy of Perthshire, who they face at Neilson Park on Saturday.

Haddington: K Adams, E Cunningham, J Ferguson, K Hamilton, J Dewar; S Morley, C Simpson; M Dunlop, A Cunningham, D Bergvall, B Laing, H Hamilton, P Brown, J Coombes, C Stuart.