WEST of Scotland assistant coach George Breckenridge watched his side increase the pressure on a depleted Heriot's squad then admitted that he felt sympathy for his former club. "I feel desperately sorry for Heriot's and the amount of injury problems they have," he said. "I don't think any club in Scotland could cope with that."
He was speaking after his side had produced an impressive performance to secure a bonus- point victory which Breckenridge hopes will provide a platform to build a recovery. "We want to use this as a stepping stone. We need to get more wins under our
belt and climb out of the mire of relegation."
Tries from James Eddie, Michael Sim, Ben Wright and Murray McConnell, two of them converted by Sim, ensured victory for West against their fellow strugglers. However, had Heriot's been more clinical in attack there may have been a different outcome, a fact acknowledged by coach Bob McKillop.
He said: "We just kept getting turned over in their 22, so it was maybe just a lack of patience and desperation to get the ball over the line. I thought a lot of our lead up work was excellent today and I was really pleased with the heart and spirit of the guys."
Scores by Struan Dewar and Richard Mill plus 11 points from the boot of captain Graham Wilson gave the hosts a losing bonus point but was insufficient to steal the win.
Heriot's: J Alston, M Nimmo, N Alston, R Mill, B Roberts, J Elliot, G Wilson, A Dymock, S Burnett, W Blacklock, P O'Connor, M Reid, P Eccles, S Dewar, J Syme. Subs Used; S Mustard, J Hill, J-P Ward.
West of Scotland: M Sim, B Wright, R Dalgliesh, J Kerr, G Dempsey, C Thwaites, M McConnell, E McLaren, D McKenna, R Kelso, G Perret, M Jenkinson, R Harley, D Young, J Eddie. Subs Used; A Symington, G Bulloch, J Walker.
Scorers: Heriots: Tries; S Dewar, R Mill; Con; G Wilson; Pens; Wilson (3). West of Scotland: Tries; J Eddie, M Sim, B Wright, M McConnell; Cons; M Sim (2).
Referee: D Phillip