Rugby: North Berwick edge out Porty to move closer to title

NORTH BERWICK took a big stride towards the Scottish Hydro East One title on Saturday with a win over nearest rivals Portobello.

The match in East Lothian was always going to be a close affair and so it proved, the hosts eventually coming out 18-10 victors at Recreation Park. The result leaves North Berwick eight points clear of Porty having played a match more.

In the same division, Lismore cemented their mid-table place and left Edinburgh Northern in the relegation battle with a 29-12 win over the Inverleith Park outfit.

In East Two, Moray House are still top after a convincing 37-0 victory over Walkerburn, but Dalkeith are hot on their heels after thumping Liberton 75-0. Queensferry got just their third win of the campaign, 15-12 over St Boswells, while Inverleith defeated RDVC 22-13.

Ross High presented a cheque to Hearts and Heroes for 1,200 prior to their match on Saturday, but could not stop leaders Allan Glen's winning 26-20 in Tranent in National Three.

In the same division, Forrester stayed in the relegation zone after losing 41-17 at Hillfoots, but Trinity Accies boosted their own hopes of staying up by beating Gordonians 51-3.

In National One, RHC Cougars, Edinburgh University and Linlithgow all suffered away defeats. Lasswade kept their promotion hopes alive with a 47-7 win over Kilmarnock in National Two while Preston Lodge suffered a bad away day, going down 65-5 at Glasgow Accies.