BOROUGHMUIR started the defence of their league title just as they finished the last campaign, their all-action style proving too hot for Accies to handle as they ran in six tries in a thrilling match at Meggetland.
It was not until the final minutes, however, that they knew they were safe after a superb fightback from Accies kept the scores tight until Ed Mills, the replacement full back, got two final quarter scores and Greg Cottrell, the centre, added another
that gave the champions the cushion they needed.
Fergus Pringle, the captain, started the scoring after only three minutes and was soon followed over the line by Malcolm Clapperton, the centre, but Accies battled back for Alex Blair, youngest brother of Scotland captain Mike, to race in and convert himself.
Spirits raised, Accies kept up the pressure but conceded a breakaway try to Callum Cusiter after losing the ball on the home 22. It did not seem to rock them, and after Paul Louden, the centre, had finished a clinical backs move with a score under the posts that Blair converted they had a chance to take the lead.
A 70-yard break by Blair, who looked every inch a player to watch once he got over his early nerves, should have brought a try, but instead Accies were penalised for holding on and Boroughmuir capitalised on their let-off with that flurry of late tries that gave the scoreline a misleading look.
The full article contains 249 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
