Aberdeen Grammar made it three wins out their last four starts to move to within striking distance of a place in the top half of National 1, this despite being reduced to 12 men late in the game, taking the shine off an otherwise fine five-try win.
Head coach Ali O’Connor was less than happy with some aspects of his side’s 37-25 win and said: “We left a lot of points out there, while our discipline left a lot to be desired.
“Three yellow cards is not acceptable, but luckily the game was won by then. Once again there were some fine individual performances, including a great exhibition from scrum half Jake Gray who capped his day with two good tries, while full back Sam Knudson marked his first start of the season with two touchdowns of his own.
“Stand off Bryn Perrrott also made a huge contribution, running his line with authority, and kicking two penalties and three conversions.’’
Grammar made a sound start, confirming their early dominance with a try from centre Nat Clough to which Perrott added a penalty in 28 minutes.
Musselburgh came back with a penalty of their own four minutes later, only for Gray to tap and go under the posts for a try converted by Perrott.
It was the East Lothian side who had the last word in the first half when on the stroke of time flanker Jim Crain raced over an unconverted try to make it 15-8 for the Aberdeen side at the break.
Grammar then went on to run the game in the second half, running in three tries, two of which were converted by the reliable Perrott who also kicked a penalty.
The home side managed a lone try scored scrum half Danny Dowenson, but looked down and out at 37-13 in arrears.
But to the dismay of the travelling Grammar support, the visitors fell foul of the picky referee who sin binned hooker Calum Reddish, replacements prop Ewan Stewart and flanker Dominc Wallen, reducing the Rubislaw side to 12 men.
Not surprisingly the Stoneyhill side took full advantage, running in two late tries, one of which was converted by Dowenson, but luckily it was too little and too late to save the game, but a fright for the ill-disciplined visitors.
Grammar will be back on the road on Saturday when they travel to Glasgow where they meet Cartha Queen’s Park and an opportunity to move into the top five, if they can keep their heads in the heat of the match, and steer clear of the wrath of the referee.