Southern Knights 31

Stirling County 10

David Morrison

at The Greenyards

THE Knights not only battled their way past Stirling County on Sunday, but they also tamed Storm Dennis.

Strong winds made life difficult for both teams, but it was the hosts who mastered the conditions in the second half to record their fourth straight Super6 victory.

The gales led to several early kicks going astray.

But the close-play from Stirling to drive their way over the line opened the scoring before the quarter hour.

Landon Hayes touched down at the back of the maul.

What was good for Stirling was equally effective for the Southern pack.

Fraser Renwick was credited with the try at the back of the rolling maul.

Stirling, having enjoyed the wind at their backs, had the chances to go in front before the interval.

But some good defending from the home team kept the scores level.

And it was the Knights who soon got on top after the teams re-emerged for the second half.

A quick tap-penalty allowed Jason Baggot to scorch through a hole in the defence.

His conversion was also successful.

Stirling did fight back briefly with a try from Caleb Korteweg following some swift handling.

But the Knights were soon back on the front foot and Ruaridh Knott barged his way over in the 62nd minute.

It wasn't long until more good driving from the forwards led to Russell Anderson touching down.

Baggot knocked over both conversions to put the hosts 14 points clear.

And in the closing stages Neil Irvine-Hess also got on the scoresheet after another impressive drive from the forwards.

Head coach Rob Chrystie said: "I thought we played to the conditions well and while Stirling were on top for much of the first half, we were good for the points in the second half.

"The pack were excellent today."

Southern Knights: F Thomson, C Whyte, J Jenkins, G Wood, P Anderson; J Baggott, S Hutchison, G Shiells, F Renwick, E Mcquillan, J Head , A Runciman, R Knott, D Taylor & N Irvine-Hess. Reps: M Mvelase-Julyan, B Colvine, S Gunn, R Anderson, C Young, I Moody, I Sim & D Redpath.