Rugby Union: Scots hot under collar

Watsonians. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Stirling County. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 THE lull before the storm. The champions Melrose are beaten for the third time; the first 0-0 draw in First Division history occurs between Edinburgh Academicals and Gala; bottom-placed Currie collect overdue points by claiming Glasgow High's 100 per cent record; and, in a rousing match at Myreside, the international wing Kenny Logan notches a hat-trick of tries to help Stirling County go outright top at Watsonians' expense.

Some lull. But Scottish Rugby Union officials return to work today to find a clamour for them to send South Africa back into rugby isolation until they pick touring parties without proven drug-takers such as Drikkus Hattingh, Elandre van der Bergand Balie Swart.

The Springboks are due to open the new Murrayfield officially on 19 November, but Menzies Campbell, the Liberal Democrat MP, said: 'We should refuse to play them unless these players are omitted and it will be a shoddy way to inaugurate the redeveloped stadium if cheats are allowed to take part.'

The SRU maintain it is obliged to accept the South African selection, while indicating the furore is little more than media mischief- making.

So far as some table-topping Stirling players are concerned, their try-hero Logan could, on current form, probably run round or through whoever the Springboks choose to field.

Watsonians: Try Henderson; Conversion G Hastings; Penalties G Hastings 4.

Stirling County: Tries Logan 3; Conversion M McKenzie; Penalties M McKenzie 2.

Watsonians: G Hastings; F Henderson, S Hastings, A Garry, J Kerr; D Hodge, N Burnett; M Stanaway, S Crawford, R MacLeod, C Campbell, J Mathieson, D Gray, C Mather, J McDonald (capt).

Stirling County: S Williamson; A Turner, I Jardine, M McGrandles, K Logan; M McKenzie, K Harper; J Gibson, K McKenzie, B Robertson, S Hamilton (capt), G Flockhart, G Mackay, J Brough, B Ireland.

Referee: R Megson (Edinburgh).