RUGBY UNION: Murray stakes Scottish claim

Edinburgh 31 South of Scotland 3

The prospect of Scott Murray, a rangy 19-year-old second row, being thrust into Scotland's line-out before long increased as a consequence of Edinburgh's first win over the South for six seasons, at Meggetland, yesterday.

Long before Scott Welsh failed with the chance to snatch victory for the South with a final-kick conversion attempt it was clear that Murray, outstanding for his club as well as Scotland Under-21s this season, had responded magnificently to his biggest challenge yet in opposition to Doddie Weir.

Murray bears a striking resemblance to the All Black Ian Jones - a comparison not lost on the South captain, Craig Chalmers, who said: "I rate Scott Murray a very good player. He'll go the whole way for sure."

Perhaps when the Scottish Rugby Union proffer contracts for their squad to sign this week they should take the trouble to have one made out for Murray, although Edinburgh's touchline supremacy was not down to him alone. Darren Burns secured such quality possession at the front it was astonishing to find them trailing 10-15 at half-time.

Edinburgh at least could point to the only try, Fergus Henderson going over after three minutes. Altogether the lead changed hands four times and Edinburgh started the second half with an equally quick strike, Darren Burns going over for a try.

Welsh regained the advantage with a penalty and conversion of a try by Gary Isaac before Donaldson's goal-kicking and a Scott Hastings try left Welsh having to convert a try by Ian Elliot from the touchline for victory.

For the first time in 14 attempts he failed. But some things never change, for in his first match after a six-week suspension for dissent Peter Wright was marched back 10 metres for talking out of turn.

Edinburgh: Tries Henderson, D Burns, Hastings; Conversions Donaldson 2; Penalties Donalson 3; Drop Goal Donaldson. South: Tries Isaac, Elliot; Penalties Welsh 6; Conversion Welsh.

EDINBURGH: C Simmers (Edinburgh Academicals); F Henderson (Watsonians), S Hastings (Watsonians), D Wyllie, N Penny (Stewart's-Melville); A Donaldson (Currie, capt), G Burns (Stewart's/Melville); G Wilson (Boroughmuir), G McKelvie (Watsonians), P Wright, D Burns (Boroughmuir), S Murray (Edinburgh Ac), B Ward (Currie), D Clark (Stewart's-Melville), R Hoole (Edinburgh Academicals). Replacement: C Aitken (Heriot's) for Simers, 55.

SOUTH OF SCOTLAND: S Welsh (Hawick); C Joiner (Melrose), D Grant (Hawick), S Nichol (Selkirk), K Suddon (Hawick); C Chalmers (Melrose, capt), G Armstrong (Jed-Forest); M Browne (Melrose), J Hay (Hawick), S McColm (Selkirk), R Brown (Melrose), I Elliot, B Renwick (Hawick), G Weir (Melrose), S Bennett (Kelso). Replacement: G Isaac (Gala) for Browne, 7.

Referee: S Lander (RFU).

n Melrose collected their fifth Scottish championship in seven seasons when Stirling County beat Heriot's FP only 34-14 on Saturday. Stirling needed to win by 43 points to retain the title.