Haddington 24-31 Glasgow Academicals

A CALAMITOUS 10-minute spell early in the second half cost Haddington dearly as they slumped to a seventh defeat in a row on Saturday.

The Reds shipped four tries early in the second half as their visitors took control of the match, with only a late fightback securing Haddington’s first points of the season.

Glasgow Accies travelled to Neilson Park top of the league, unbeaten and with maximum points from their first six games.

And they made a flying start, scoring their from a powerful maul, before Haddington, who handed a debut to South African back-row Jordan Coombes, struck back to level the scores.

A superb move saw Sam Morley send stand-in captain James Ferguson away and he put centre partner Kyle Hamilton in to score.

Haddington scored a second try in quick succession when, after a long spell of possession, prop Garry Cockburn got the ball out wide, stepped the covering defence and dived over.

Morley converted and the Reds held a shock 12-5 lead.

They maintained that advantage until the break, only for Accies to score their second converted try early in the second half.

That, and stand-off Morley’s yellow card, sparked a mad spell, as the visitors crossed three more times – each from a long-range break – to take complete control of the match.

Rhodri Thomas’ Reds had let a lead slip and were 12-31 behind, with the prospect of taking nothing from a seventh league outing in succession.

They rallied, though, and scored two more tries late on, as Harry Hamilton drove over from close range and Ferguson rounded off an excellent move.

Morley’s boot ensured the Reds were within seven points at the final whistle, earning a bonus point, while their four tries ensured they took two points from the match.

Afterwards, head coach Thomas said he was pleased with the improvements in his side’s performance.

On Saturday Haddington travel to Dalziel, also without a win.

Haddington: A Ferguson, E Cunningham, J Ferguson, K Hamilton, J Dewar; S Morley, C Simpson; M Dunlop, A Cunningham, G Cockburn, H Hamilton, P Brown, J Riddell, J Coombes, C Stuart.