Logan's inspiration

BILL LEITH

Stirling County 33 Boroughmuir 14

The remark "one day you're a rooster the next you're a feather duster" from the former Australian coach Alan Jones has never been more apposite than when applied to Kenny Logan.

The Scotland winger can reflect today on how a couple of tries are worth a million words when it comes to fending off the criticism that will inevitably become part of the professional era.

Stirling's coach, fans and in one instance a team-mate have publicly demanded something better than his recent form - although the possibility of jealousy can never be discounted. Logan expressed hurt in his regular newspaper column, but a more significant response came in helping pilot Stirling County to a hugely significant victory over Boroughmuir. Switched to full-back, Logan hurtled over for two tries in a comfortable victory which keeps alive their title hopes, since Melrose were able to defeat already relegated Gala only 31-11. If Stirling County can beat Heriot's FP by a 43-point margin on Saturday week, the title will be theirs.

The Scottish Rugby Union remain keen to meet the Edinburgh Academicals coach, David Sole, who is standing by remarks that a referee's decisions affecting his team were "tantamount to cheating", while a debate on whether clubs or districts should represent Scotland in the European Cup rumbles on. The new professional era is certainly not without some fascinating sideshows.

Stirling County: Tries McRobert, Logan 2, Elliot; Conversions McKenzie 2; Drop goal McKenzie; Penalties McKenzie 2. Boroughmuir: Tries Thom, McKinlay; Conversions Eassons 2.

Stirling County: K Logan; A Turner, C Sangster, M McGrandles, C MacRobert; M McKenzie, K Harper; J Manson, R Cairney, B Robertson, J Brough, M Norval, B Ireland (G Mackay, 47), G Flockhart, D Elliot.

Boroughmuir: N Mardon; A McLean, C Finnie, S Lineen, I Tukalo; B Easson, S Thom; S Anderson, N Dickson, L Graham (J Davies, 42) A Cadzow, D Burns, G Dickson, F Wallace (G Hepburn, 66), J McKinley.

Referee: E Murray (Greenock Wands).