WHITECRAIGS 19 - 14 TRINITY ACADEMICALS

A NAIL-BITING afternoon at West Lodge saw Whitecraigs edge ever closer to promotion on Saturday.

A strong Trinity Accies side made the trip from Edinburgh and frustrated the home side throughout.

The opening minutes of the game were fraught with knock-ons aplenty from both sides.

But it took just over 15 minutes for ‘Craigs to settle and after a controlled driving maul Smylie broke off the side and dived over for the opening points.

An excellent conversion from Moffat in the blustery conditions extended the lead further.

Just as Whitecraigs looked to dominate the match a misplaced pass in midfield allowed the Trinity winger to intercept and level the scores.

Conceding the try seemed to spark some life into the ‘Craigs players and after the best handling move of the match they were back in front.

More good forward play took the game into the Trinity half before slick hands from Hutton and Smylie saw Johnstone finish in style.

And there was still time for Moffat to ghost in under the posts to leave the fans relieved to be 19-7 up at half time.

After the interval the game changed and ‘Craigs were unable to control possession or territory.

But as has become a feature this season the defence held firm and Trinity were kept at bay.

Until naïve defending from Moffat allowed the visitors to charge down an ambitious chip and touch down to reduce the gap to just five.

The closing ten minutes were tense as the visitors pushed for a score and ‘Craigs tried to cope with losing Smylie to the sin-bin for foul play.

But Whitecraigs held on for a crucial 19-14 win to leave them two points clear with just three games remaining.

Coach Jim Henderson said: “Despite showing a lack of maturity at times we have won the game and are top of the league.

“But we have to improve for next week in terms of our decision making process.”

Team: McCormack, B. Blamire, Laidlaw, Hunter, J. Henderson, N. Blamire, Smylie, Pollock, S. Henderson, Stevenson, Kemp, Moffat, Hutton, Johnstone, Mahindru. Subs – Berry, Haswell, Walker.