Hamilton 21
Jed-Forest 12
RBS NATIONAL LEAGUE
THE match started with Jed facing the strong wind blowing down the Laing Bent pitch.
The home team were rewarded for some early pressure with stand-off McLeish converting a penalty in the fourth minute.
However, the Borderers struck back just six minutes later. Good work by the forwards provided quick ball which allowed the backs to move the ball from one end of the pitch to the other for David Gobby to score in the corner.
Hamilton replied after 20 minutes – McLeish kicking another penalty. Jed then had Gobby yellow-carded for the final 10 minutes of the first half, the home team capitalising on this when they scored a converted try which was quickly followed by a penalty, taking the interval tally to 16-5.
The Royal Blues began the second period with a full side and scored after just five minutes when James Hogg rounded off a fine move to touch down. Ewan Scott converted.
But the wind advantage that Jed were expecting quickly disappeared and a couple of long-range penalty efforts from Scott narrowly missed the mark, one coming off the bar.
Hamilton came more into the game as the elements eased and scrum pressure on the Jed line resulted in full back Wilson crashing over for a try.
The visitors then camped on the hosts’ line for the remaining 10 minutes, but the Hamilton defence, which had looked well organised throughout the match, held firm to prevent any Jed bonus points.
Jed-Forest: J. Hogg; C. Gallon, R. Hogg, E. Scott, D. Gobby; N. Fono-Hunt, R. Goodfellow; A. Ions, S. Raeburn, D. Grieve, G. Young, N. Cook, G. Elder, M. Weekley, D. Grieve, Subs: A. Frame, J. Szkudro, K. Amos, J. Sudlow, R. Miller.