County undone by slick attack and solid defence

STIRLING COUNTY 5 33

of them converted by Ross Jones.

Stuttering Stirling improved after the interval, dominating possession and territory but lacking a cutting edge and the ability to convert pressure into points. That was, as Smith indicated, down in large measure to stout defending from Heriot’s.

Countydidbreachtheheriot’s line midway through the half when Ruairidh Swan cut through to touch down but it never looked like sparking a revival and the last word went deservedly to Heriot’s when Jack Mcclean barged over late on, Jones again adding the extras.

Stirling coach Graeme Young was typically forthright afterwards. “Credit to Heriot’s – I thought they were very good – and the first half killed us.

“You can’t win the game without the ball and they kept it for long phases and put us under a lot of pressure. We were better in the second half and showed we can attack but didn’t have the right amount of speed in our game.”