West of Scotland 14 - Watsonians 24: Watsonians survive a severe test from West

WATSONIANS dug deep to secure a place in the sixth round of the Scottish Hydro Electric Cup by seeing off a battling West of Scotland side at Burnbrae on Saturday.

The home side, who currently top Premier Two, gave as good as they got for the majority of the match against the 2006 cup winners, but will be frustrated that they did not make more of their opportunities. At spells in both halves they had the visitors from Myreside under pressure and twice had a man advantage.

However, Watsonians are made of stern stuff these days under coach Cammy Mather and captain Kyle Traynor – unbeaten in five outings in 2008 – and they battled through the wind and rain to survive.

Traynor said: "We know it was not a complete performance, but the most important thing is that we are through to the next round and I am delighted with the win."

West's attention now shifts back to the promotion race, with key matches against Selkirk and Hillhead/Jordanhill to come at the end of this month.

Their coach John Beattie said: "I was delighted with the way the team played, but it shows us how much of a gulf their still is between us and the top clubs and we must now look to secure promotion."

The key moment of an end-to-end tussle came just after the hour mark. With West trailing 12-11 Watsonians centre Mala Mialo was sent to the sin bin, but instead of the home side making their man advantage count it was the visitors who extended their lead.

Second-row Torrie Callander scored a converted try to increase the lead to 19-11 and although West – who were without former Scotland skipper Gordon Bulloch – kept going, Watsonians sealed the win with their fourth try of the day five minutes from time through full-back Scott Kennedy. No8 Graham Fisken and centre Jamie Kerr were the stand-out men for a West side who would certainly add something to Premier 1 on this showing, while Traynor and stand-in scrum-half Sam Paulo were impressive for Watsonians.

Scorers: West of Scotland: Try: Hastie. Pens: Sinclair 3. Watsonians: Tries: Rennie, Steyl, Callander, Kennedy. Cons: Skeen 2.

West of Scotland: C Duck; A Park, J Kerr, S Malone, B Wright; F Sinclair, S O'Donnell; E McLaren, D McKenna, C Hastie, J Vos, G Perrett, C Morrison, G Fisken, J Walker. Subs used: A Kennedy, R Kelso, C Davis, S Service.

Watsonians: S Kennedy; S Paulo, D Brown, M Mialo, C McWilliam; A Skeen, E Howe; K Traynor, G Wood, K Coertze, T Callander, W Lipp, J Rennie, B Hennessey, J Abraham. Subs used: R Steyl, J Pelter, J Nicolson, A Welsh.

Referee: A Healy.