Reds win cup opener against West of Scotland

HADDINGTON caused a cup upset on Saturday after toppling National 2 outfit West of Scotland in the BT National League Cup.
Liam Clutton, pictured above, captained the Reds for the first time as Mark Robertson and Charlie Hamilton made their returns from long-term injuries.
Their first try of the season came from a familiar source, with a powerful scrum forcing a penalty try - under new laws, no conversion was required for a 7-0 lead.
A second try followed soon after – Kyle Adams on the end of a flowing team move, using his pace to touch down. Alex Ferguson, restored to the number 10 jersey, missed the conversion.
West managed to get on the board with a penalty, but Haddington scored their third try of the half through James Ferguson – the outside centre beat several West defenders before diving over.
His brother was again wayward with the conversion, but the Reds held a 20-3 lead at half-time.
The second half saw West of Scotland grow into the game, and two converted tries helped them narrow the deficit.
However, a fourth Haddington try, from ex-captain Colin Stuart, all-but sealed the win. The hooker benefited from a nice pass by front-row colleague Garry Cockburn to crash over from the 22m line.
Ferguson’s penalty further extended the lead, before Harry Hamilton crashed over.
Sam Morley made his debut in the second half, while there was a first 1st XV appearance for more than a decade for 48-year-old prop Robin Mainstone.
Haddington: K Adams, M Robertson, J Ferguson, L Clutton, K Hamilton, A Ferguson, J Paterson; G Cockburn, C Stuart, P Smith, C Hamilton, H Hamilton, J Riddell, C Munro, M Renton.