West of Scotland 34 31 Preston Lodge
PRESTON Lodge fell to a fourth consecutive league defeat, despite an improved performance at West of Scotland on Saturday.
The county side, looking to bounce back from a thrashing by Aberdeenshire, scored the game's first points when Alan Whittingham finished of a good move to score out wide.
Robbie Griffin was off-target with the conversion, and West reduced the deficit with a penalty on 12 minutes, before taking the lead as centre Mark Davis barged through the PL defence to crash over.
Ross McAulay grabbed a second try for the hosts, but Pete Johnstone's try for PL, converted by Griffin, ensured only three points separated the teams at half-time (15-12).
The second half was only a few minutes old when the Milngavie side had Alex Fisken sent to the sin-bin, and PL took advantage with quick-fire tries from wing Euan Higgins and number eight Jason Riley.
Captain Riley stormed his way over the line from a five-metre scrum, while Higgins was on the end of a good team move to score out wide. Griffin converted one of the tries to give PL a nine-point lead, at 15-24.
West struck back almost immediately, as they capitalised on a poor clearance, and put together a flowing move that allowed Tom Gray to score.
Smith's conversion to narrow the gap to 22-24.
Higgins' second try, the pick of the Preston Lodge scores, saw them extend their lead and a superb conversion from stand-off Griffin made it 22-31 as play entered the final quarter at Burnbrae.
The promoted hosts struck back once more as a brilliant offload from Mark Jenkinson allowed Pete Burns to score under the posts to ensure West's try bonus point.
Smith converted to bring the sides to within two points as full-time neared.
West of Scotland snatched victory when, following Euan Higgins' yellow card, they worked the ball wide and full-back Pete Burns went over for the match-winning try.
The county side will be hoping to build on their improved performance as they take on Hillhead/Jordanhill at the Pennypit on Saturday.
Preston Lodge Team: P Glynn, E Higgins, A Whittingham, E Runciman, S Peter, R Griffin, D Gordon; D Lyall, C Blaikie, C MacLeod, J Sked, B Cowan, C Anderson, P Johnstone, J Riley
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