Stirling County arrived at Meggetland for the game on Saturday having won 13 out of 13 games this season including a narrow 19 - 17 victory over Boroughmuir at Bridgehaugh in September. To say that confidence was high for the visitors would be an understatement but 'Muir have set themselves the task of beating all four teams that beat them in September and so far Glasgow Hawks and Dundee HSFP had been vanquished. Stirling County was always going to be a tough task.

Boroughmuir opened brightly playing into a stiff breeze and dominated early possession but were unable to maintain continuity for long enough to trouble the scorer. Ed Mills, returning after a hamstring injury, made an early break from a pop pass by James Fish but was stopped short of the line and Stirling were quick to clear. On quarter of an hour the 'Muir territorial advantage paid off when Bruce Aitchison popped over a penalty from the 22.

Stirling started to use the wind more intelligently, kicking to the corners and scrapping for possession, and as the first quarter ended the visitors drew level after 'Muir infringed on the ground. County sensed that their chance lay in opening a gap before the break and pressed forward for all they were worth but some fine work in defence saw 'Muir weather the storm.

After 33 minutes the 'Muir front 5 got the nudge on at a Stirling scrum and secured turnover ball which led to the opening tery. Nick Watt gathered the loose ball and set Ed Mills running. The full-back set Rob Cairns free and the flying winger beat the cover to score under the posts. Graeme Blackhall, deputising for the injured Bruce Aitchison, added the conversion to put 'Muir 10 - 3 to the good.

Despite their best efforts Stirling were unable to get across the 'Muir line but they narrowed the gap from a penalty with the last kick of the half.

'Muir were not slow to put the wind to good advantage after the break when Blackhall added a further penalty at the start of the second period although they let the visitors back into the game with another infringement which allowed County to pull back to 13 - 9. James Fish extended the lead on 49 minutes, powering through the defence to score as 'Muir took control.

The home side had the more potent attacking options and some excellent, flowing passing opened up the defence allowing Graeme Blackhall and Kevin Brown to finish off fine passages of play.  The strong wind prevented the second half tries being converted but 28-9 was a justified and well deserved victory over the clear and previously unbeaten league leaders. 

There was some chat on Saturday to suggest that this was Stirling's first defeat since we beat them here at Meggetland last season.  They are a very good side and deserving league leaders and we hope to go very close to them by the end of the campaign.