GHA 24 Musselburgh 19

MUSSELBURGH's wait for their first league win goes on, as they fell at the hands of GHA on Saturday.

Grant Talac's side were still without Danny Owenson, Willie Fleming, Sandy Watt, the Slaven brothers, Andrew Cook and James Doig, but they did welcome Craig Owenson back to the bench.

The referee penalised Musselburgh several times deep in their own area and eventually the hosts opened the scoring when winger Andrew Spowart went over, stand-off Andrew Goudie converted and after eight minutes the hosts were 7-0 up.

GHA went 10-0 up when Goudie added a penalty after the referee sent Brad Graham to the sin-bin.

Burgh were under pressure for much of the opening quarter but hit back when, after good carries by Arthur and McNairn, Steven Crawford crossed for a try on debut.

Gareth Pritchard converted to cut the gap to three points after 23 minutes.

Burgh's Corey Vela continued to stretch the home defence and was unfortunate not to score when he was forced into touch close to the line.

The hosts then put together several phases before centre Ross Findlay took a pass from Goudie to go over at close range before the experienced stand-off added the extras for 17-7 after 32 minutes.

A minute from the break Burgh were awarded a penalty, but the kick slipped wide and the sides turned round with GHA 10 points in front.

Much as Burgh had in the first half, the Glasgow side fell foul of the referee as centre Ross Findlay was sent to the sin-bin early in the second half, and Burgh took advantage with two tries in as many minutes.

Firstly, returning Craig Owenson showed impressive pace to dive over, before ex-Haddington man Gareth Pritchard went over for his first Burgh try.

Pritchard converted one, so Burgh held a 17-19 lead as the game entered its final quarter.

A cross-kick by veteran Goudie turned the game, though, as winger Edgar gathered and scored the decisive try for the home side.

The GHA stand-off converted for 24-19, and despite the best efforts of Talac's charges, that was how it remained as the full-time whistle condemned Burgh to a fourth straight league loss.

Burgh will host Stewart's Melville, also winless so far, at Stoneyhill on Saturday.

Musselburgh: R Young, B Hibberd, J Coutts, R Watt, C Vela, G Pritchard, D Kennedy; N McNairn, R Gregor, C Arthur, G McKinstry, E Milton, B Graham, S Crawford, L Hutson