North Berwick headed to Barnton for their second fixture in the pool stage of the Edinburgh Regional Shield on Saturday, having comfortably seen off Trinity Accies two weeks previously in their most recent match.
Opponents RHC had also got off to a winning start in the competition, defeating Edinburgh Northern, and the winner of Saturday’s match would take control of the group, with North Berwick hoping to repeat an away victory against the Cougars they had managed earlier in the season.
While the backs remained unchanged, North Berwick made a number of changes to their side in the forwards, the experienced trio of Lee Inglis, Bhrian Buchanan and Alan Gallacher getting the nod in the front-row after impressing when coming off the bench against Trinity,
while Iain Dove moved to the second row and Ben Inglis came into the side at No 8.
In a tight first half RHC had the majority of territory and possession but found themselves behind to a Grant Craig drop goal, snapped over while NB were forced to play 10 minutes with only 14 men after Ben Inglis saw the yellow card, Craig Gilroy coming on to replace him at the end of the sin bin period.
.NB had opportunities to increase their lead but failed to take them. RHC levelled the score with a penalty and then after a period of pressure managed to barge over from a 5 metre line out. This made the half time score 10-3 in the home sides favour.

A raft of changes were made to the away team at half-time, Callum Cockburn making his first appearance for several weeks after replacing Liam West, while both prop positions were changed, Grant Black and Scott Purves coming on for Inglis and Gallacher.


The second half started with NB on the attack but they failed to add to their total. In fact RHC were next to score when after a break out of defence the winger managed to evade two tacklers to score in the corner. This made the score 15-3 to the home side.

NB then had their best period of the match, with extended pressure but the well organised RHC side stood strong and it wasn’t until 10 minutes from time that North Berwick were
able to get over the try-line, scrum-half Grant Spence scooting over and Craig adding the extras.
But try as they might, no further points were forthcoming, RHC maintaining a five-point advantage to the final whistle to triumph 15-10.