STEWART'S MELVILLE coach Graeme Moffat believes that his side's 20-13 victory over Capital rivals Watsonians was just reward for their efforts over recent weeks.
Reflecting on the Inverleith men's first win of the campaign, Moffat said: "We're delighted to get the win although it certainly wasn't pretty.
"We have to work hard to be competitive and we are working really hard. The guys are going out with th
eir hearts on their sleeves and they are knocking their pan in. They were out on their feet at the end."
And, while he was delighted with the overall commitment, he is demanding more from his men as they seek to build on their first success since stepping up to the Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership top flight.
"I'm pleased to get a win but we've got to keep getting better," he added. "We'll not get carried away with one win."
Stew Mel had pushed Ayr all the way two weeks earlier and came close to breaking their duck in a narrow defeat at Heriot's. And they started well, edging ahead through a penalty by Stuart Ker, who then responded to an equaliser by his namesake Mike with a second successful effort to steer Stew Mel into a 6-3 interval lead.
Moffat's men seized the initiative with two quickfire tries shortly after the restart. The first, a stunning solo effort by full back Hayden Lingard who darted in from half way, and the second another fine finish from skipper Richard Borthwick, who powered down the right flank and raced round behind the posts. Ker was on target with both conversions to build a lead that, even with more than half an hour to play, looked set to deliver the points.
However, the hosts spurned further scoring opportunities and a try by 'Sonians hooker Gregor Wood, showing pace and dexterity to finish off a counterattack, and an injury time score from Dougie Brown yielded a bonus point for the Myreside men.
Reflecting on a disjointed performance that leaves them fourth from bottom, their coach Bruce Aitchison said: "I was massively disappointed that as a team of individuals we looked rudderless at times. Stew Mel just wanted it more.
"We thought our match against Melrose was a step forward – we took our chances when we attacked – but this was 12 steps back. We've now got a big job on – Selkirk away next week – another team down there with us."
