Stewartry RFC start 2024 with convincing win over North Berwick

Stewartry got 2024 off to a flyer with a convincing win at North Berwick on Saturday.

The Blacks were just one point behind the home side in fifth place going into the game but their bonus-point win moved them up into fourth and completed the league double over the east coast team.

Much like the reverse fixture earlier on in the season, there was very little to separate the two sides in the first half. Stewartry drew first blood through vice captain TJ McCarney but their lead was short lived after North Berwick hit back with a converted try of their own just minutes later.

Jason Forsyth managed to squeeze himself over the line to score just before half-time and give the visitors a slim 12-7 lead going into the break.

The second half was a different story altogether. Despite the three-hour journey they had made from Castle Douglas, Stewartry were fired up in the second 40 and were ruthless in the opposition 22.

Two tries from Archie Nicolson, another from McCarney and one each for Sam Tait and John Picken ensured that Sandy Currie’s men ran away with the game.

Stewartry kept play moving in tricky conditions, stretching the North Berwick defence before shipping the ball out wide to score their deserved tries. Seven tries in total and three conversions from flyhalf Picken sent Stewartry back to the west coast with all five points.

This weekend, they are on the road in another top-of-the-table clash as they face second-placed Whitecraigs away from home.