Haddington 19 St Boswells 35

A LATE rally was not enough for Haddington as they fell to an eighth consecutive league defeat at the hands of St Boswells on Saturday.

The Reds scored three tries – Kyle Adams, James Ferguson and Grillan Gillfors the men to touch down – but two of the three came with the match out of reach and only pride to play for.

In the end, the hosts were left empty-handed and they remain in the relegation zone in National 3, a point behind Orkney, who have a game in hand.

St Boswells kicked off playing with a strong wind for the opening 40 minutes and scored first when Gary Mulroy went over after good work by Greg Ponton.

Soon after the Borders side struck again, Scott McClymont touching down for their second try from a well-worked lineout.

Rhodri Thomas’ men responded with an excellent team try, as Jordan Coombes combined with Ferguson to put Adams away, the fullback gathering a loose pass to sprint clear and touch down.

Sam Morley converted to cut the gap to 7-12.

Ponton kicked two penalties to extend St Boswells’ advantage to 11 points as the two sides turned round at the break, indiscipline inside their own half hurting the home side.

Playing with the wind at their backs, the Reds produced a much-improved second half and, following strong work by the forwards, Ferguson exploited a hole in the visitors’ defence to touch down. Morley again converted and Haddington had their tails up.

Gillfors, David Bergvall, Jonny Riddell and Alex Ferguson were all introduced from the bench and the quartet all made an instant impact.

More good work by the pack, led by Coombes and Harry Hamilton, put the hosts on the front foot, allowing Ferguson to release fellow replacement Gillfors to score in the corner.

Ferguson rushed the conversion from out wide and was wayward, but the Reds pushed for a bonus-point try in the final quarter. It was not to be, though, and the visitors scored three tries late on – through Mulroy, Louis Wichary and Greg Walker – to seal a bonus-point win.

Thomas’ side now have a two-week break before their next league game takes them west along the M8 to visit Glasgow Accies.

Haddington: K Adams, M Robertson, J Ferguson, K Hamilton, J Dewar; S Morley, L Clutton; M Dunlop, G Cockburn, P Smith, C Hamilton, H Hamilton, R Turner, J Coombes, M Renton.