North Berwick earns win in tough conditions

North Berwick made a big statement in National League 4 with an impressive 31-0 win over Strathmore RFC who were in 2nd spot. A complete team performance was one of the best yet from this young NB side who have found their stride in the national leagues. A 5 try haul and a defensive display that denied Strathmore a score maintains their winning run. Despite the wet and slippy conditions both teams demonstrated early that they would play expansive rugby. Strathmore had the benefit of the Recreation Park slope and wind at their back in the first half and used that to pin NB in their 22. The NB defence was well organised , strong and solid and simply did not give an inch. The first NB venture into the Strathmore half saw the forward pack provide the platform with a go forward drives and when the ball was released Fraser Flockhart found Jack Hall who dummied , found a gap and Alex Williams was on hand to take the final pass and go over for the 1st try. 5-0 NB. The 2nd try followed on 35 mins when the forward pack, who put in a massive shift all day, took the ball on from a 5 metre srcum, softend the defence and scrum half Hall went over from close range. 12-0 NB. From the kick off NB went from deep with solid forward drives and multi phase play that resulted in a break from Williams unlocking space for Flockhart who glided around the final defender to score the 3rd try and give NB a 19-0 HT lead. The 2nd half saw a continuation of the strong and organised defence from NB and the forwards continued to provide the platform for the backs to finish off with a further two tries. The first on 45 mins saw the ball release from a srum on the Strathmore 22 to Williams at 10 who slipped , regained his feet and find Milan Stewart cutting a blindside run and a dummy was bought by the final defender to see Stewart slide in for the bonus point try. William converted from out wide and NB pushed the lead to 26-0. On 75 mins NB finished off in style when debutant Finlay Mitchell make his impact when he pounced on a loose ball , beat the defender in the kick chase and touch down to score the final points. 31-0 to NB who travel to Greenock Wanderers next week to finish off 2023.