Try and you might succeed

While the first XV has not had much to smile about lately, as a largely uneventful season has left them out of the title hunt, pride and local bragging rights were at stake in the southside derby.

Cartha entered the game riding high on top of Championship A, but their title hopes suffered a dent after a 13-12 loss to Whitecraigs.

Ally Little and Fergus Porter were the try scorers for Craigs in a nail-biting encounter.

Stand-off Ally Stevenson told ExtraSport: “We were delighted with the team performance.

“It was great to get one over our local rivals and we feel it will leave us in good shape going into next season.”

On the same day, the under 18 side made their way into the West of Scotland cup semi final with a 29-12 win at West Lodge against Glasgow Hawks.

Coach Johnny Leitch told ExtraSport: “Saturday was a good win and it puts us in a really good position in terms of a cup run.

“The boys have been working hard all season and Saturday’s victory reflects that.

“Glasgow Hawks are a huge club and it is a huge feather in the cap to beat them, any time you can get a win over a club that size, it’s a nice result.”

Their coach believes a number of players will make a serious impact in senior rugby, including centres Fraser Patterson and Ricky Winton, who he believes could start for the first XV in the near future.

Coach Leitch continued: “A lot of them will step into the first xv. We train closely with them already and that has made a big difference.

“The fact the two teams are able to train together just shows the commitment the whole club has behind youth rugby. This will no doubt pay off as more and more of our players graduate to the first XV.”

The under 18s have their last game in the league tonight against Alan Glens. A win could mean a second place finish for the West Lodge side.

As they have won two from two in the West Cup they are guaranteed a semi final spot already with a game in hand.

Their next cup game is against Ayr on March 15.

Meanwhile, Cartha remain in the driving seat in championship A.

The Dumbreck side sit in first place, six points ahead of Marr and Hamilton, but both sides have a game in hand.

Neither side are in action till March 22, when Whitecraigs visit Dumfries and Cartha host Marr.

GHA were humbled by Watsonians on Saturday at Braidholm.

The Edinburgh side outscored the southsiders by 30 points in a 45-15 win in the national league.

Head coach Gordon Macpherson said: “There was plenty committment but mistakes proved costly.”

Currently in eighth place, GHA visit champions Boroughmuir on March 22.