In recent seasons Newton Stewart away has consistently been one of the toughest fixtures on the calendar, but Falkirk's mix of youth and experience prevailed in a pulsating game full of momentum swings. Stewart McCulloch opened the scoring after a period of sustained early pressure, with Lewis Jamieson adding the extras. The visitors doubled their lead midway through the first half when Jamieson broke the line and put Erin Baisley through for a simple converted score under the posts. A Jamieson penalty made it 0:17 on the half-hour, but Newton Stewart came back into the game, scoring in the corner, and then applying a period of concerted pressure on the Falkirk line as half-time approached. A couple of excellent defensive sets kept them out. HT Newton Stewart 5:17 Falkirk.

Falkirk were back in the driving seat early in the 2nd half when Archie Ballingall sniped over the line after a neat show-and-go. Jamieson added the extras to make it 5:24. However, win or lose, Newton Stewart are relentless, and sure enough they hit back with a score almost immediately and were soon in the ascendency. A third NS score in the 65th minute, followed by a "team" yellow card for Ballingall, made a comeback win a realistic possibility. And that scenario seemed to become a likelihood when with only a few minutes remaining, the home side took advantage of the extra man out wide to level the score at 24:24 with a converted try. But with time running out, Falkirk moved up the pitch and won a penalty 5m out under the Newton Stewart posts. Any temptation to go for a bonus try win was resisted (thankfully) and Jamieson slotted the kick instead.

To the Falkirk support's dismay the referee decided there was time to restart. And when he then missed two NS knock-ons in quick succession they feared more late drama, but Falkirk's defence held strong to record a hard-fought and impressive 24:27 away win.

At Horne Park, the 2nd XV fielded an even younger side against a solid and experienced Glenrothes team in Caley Div.2. It was another evenly matched contest for much of the game until the home side's fitness seemed to tell and they stretched away to a relatively comfortable 45:32 victory.

And with the Woman's team winning their first ever competitive home league fixture 85:0 against Kirkcaldy, it turned out to be a special weekend for the Club's senior sides.

#Wheels