Eleven-try Hamilton pass the West test with flying colours

Hamilton ......... 67 W of Scotland ..19

National League 2

Hamilton moved up two places to sixth in the National League 2 table after their first win of the season against West of Scotland.

The Bulls scored 11 tries and slotted six conversions in a comprehensive win, with West of Scotland scoring three of their own, two of which were converted.

Ross Inglis and Robert Brown each scored three tries, Andy Wilson and Charlie Craig nabbed doubles, and James Howatson was also on the scoresheet. Owen Mcleish slotted six conversions.

Hamilton got off the mark in the first minute when they recycled quick ball to the backs, whose slick handling and pace outflanked the visitors for Wilson to go over in the corner, with Mcleish converting.

The same move was repeated shortly afterwards, with Inglis going over in the same corner.

West weren’t out of the game and in 10 minutes Robbie Greenhalgh broke clear to score under the posts, with Peter Burns converting.

Hamilton were soon back on the attack, but desperate defending by West kept them at bay until the 15th minute when Brown dotted down for the first of his trio, with James Howatson and Charlie Craig adding further tries, Mcleish converting both.

Ross Inglis added a try, with Mcleish converting, for a 38-7 lead.

Hamilton then introduced subs from the bench which somewhat shifted the momentum, and West took advantage by scoring two tries through Ross Carnegie and Greenhalgh, with Burns converting.

Hamilton quickly regained the upper hand, though, and good speed in defence forced a turnover, with quick thinking releasing Ross Inglis again, with Mcleish converting.

Further tries were scored by Charlie Craig off a driven maul and two minutes later Andy Wilson crashed over, despite being tackled short of the line.

Robert Brown added a brace of tries in the closing stages, the second following a terrific break down the centre by Craig Inglis. Mcleish’s conversion took the final score to 67-19.

Delighted coach David Gemmell said: “It’s not just the result that pleases me, it’s the manner of it.

“The boys stuck to the gameplan and this is the brand of fast, exciting rugby we aim for at Laigh Bent.”

It was a good day all round for the Laigh Bent club, with their 2nd XV beating Heriot’s 42-37 and the 3rd XV defeating West’s 2nds by 77-31.

The Under-18s also defeated West by a similar margin.