Champagne performance as 2s trounce local rivals

There was a performance of the highest quality on Saturday afternoon as the 2nd XV began their campaign with a 91-19 trouncing of local rivals Preston Lodge.

Centre Ian Watt topped the try-scoring charts with five, while it was another notable day for the Watt clan as brothers Rab and newly-appointed captain Alex also both crossed the whitewash.

With Alex Ferguson reunited with the number 10 jersey he made his own last season, the home side cantered to an emphatic victory as the stand-off notched up a rare try in a personal tally of 26 points.

Elgin Millar grabbed a brace, and lock Harry Hamilton found his way over for a rare try, while there were also scores for youngsters Tom Hutcheon and Aaron McCall, who also grabbed a brace.

All that despite the visitors racing into a 12-7 lead inside the first quarter.

With experience added to the ranks in the close season following the capture of Gary Glass and the promotion of Keith Wallace from the 3rd XV, plus a number of faces from recent 1st XV squads, it was clear to see the gulf between the two sides.

Centre Watt notched up his hat-trick inside 50 minutes, and worked in tandem with stand-off Ferguson to set the home side’s back division through almost at will. The one mystery though, is how last season’s top try scorer, Ewan Chalmers, didn’t add to his account.