Haddington 7

Newton Stewart 43

A SECOND heavy defeat in as many outings befell Haddington at the weekend, despite the return of several first-team regulars.

The Reds put in a good showing for the first quarter at Neilson Park on Saturday but their resistance was broken when Newton Stewart centre Fraser Morton went over and converted his own try.

Morton then turned provider as he put winger Liam Brawls away for the visitors’ second try, and they scored a third through back-row Jason McKie.

The opening 40 minutes ended with the hosts 17 points to the good but Haddington looked lively out wide, with Theo Cestaro and assistant/backs coach Sam Rolfe combining well in midfield.

Immediately from the restart, however, the hosts fell further behind – Calum Gaw went in and Morton converted.

Five minutes later, Newton Stewart regained possession close to their own line and Alan Ferrie and Mark Craig broke upfield before finding their captain Mark McCornick on the halfway line; he sprinted clear, despite Cestaro’s best efforts.

At 0-29 down, the Reds then enjoyed their best spell of the match and got their reward when prop Kenny Harper bundled over from a maul.

Captain Alex Ferguson converted for 7-29 after an hour but the Reds were unable to add to that score and the visitors re-established control as captain McCornick scored his second after a good move, Russell Morton converting (7-36).

And there was more delight for the McCornick family as good hands from Gaw and Robbie McCornick put his brother William in to score another try. Morton converted, the game’s final act, as Haddington were beaten for the second week in succession.

The Reds are back at Neilson Park on Saturday as they host Hillhead Jordanhill.

Haddington: M Robertson, J Dewar, T Cestaro, S Rolfe, K Brownlee; A Ferguson, C Simpson; M Dunlop, K Munro, K Cooney, C Hamilton, H Hamilton, G Stewart, K De Vos, I Salter.