MUSSELBURGH had better keep winning, but with a bit more aplomb and conviction, if they are to please coach Ken Macaulay.
The big former Gala and Heriot's player, who took over the reins at Stoneyhill the season before last, is not going to be easily impressed.
''There is still a bit of hard work to be done yet,'' he said. Then he relented somewhat by saying: ''I suppose it is nice to win away from home in the first league game of the season.''
However, he followed up with a demand that the forwards would have to work on their support play.
Before kick-off statistical comparisons weighed in favour of Accies, the new boys in Division Two, having been relegated, but confronting a team who had narrowly avoided the drop to Division Three. Only a tremendous rearguard action by winning four play-off matches kept them up.
When referee Ken McCartney blew the first whistle it was difficult to detect which had been the more recent First Division side.
Admittedly, Accies opened the scoring but that was to be the only time they would be ahead in the match.
Coach Andy Adamson admitted it was no easy road ahead. ''We have a new young team - six former schoolboys for a start - and it will take time for them to adjust to the pressures of league rugby.
''One heartening factor, however, was that we probably finished stronger than they did to put a better face on the score.''
Accies seemed to lack a controlling figure. 'Burgh had one in seasoned skipper Cliff Livingstone. The fly-half started by making a hash of an early penalty, but rarely put a foot wrong after that. Ironically, it was an old head - Brian Hay-Smith - who showed Accies what a little ingenuity could do when he was brought on as a sub and scored the last try of the day. While others dithered, he took a quick tap penalty and zipped over to score.
Perhaps Accies should not disregard all their old heads just yet.
Edinburgh Accies - I Mackerrow; S Light, C Murray, J Howieson, N Hannah (E Sanjuan 4, B Hay-Smith 60); K Bailey, C Black; M Russell, D Harley (K Day 60), A Boccoli, N Pike, D Rutlidge, D Macfadyen, J Parrott, C Harrison.
Musselburgh - G Jamieson; S Bissett, D Archbold, M Steadman (G Brown 73), M Smith; C Livingstone, N MacCracken; C Wilkinson, I Archibald, B Monks, A MacColl, R Bain, J Hawkins, K Paterson (E Dawson), D Mack.
Referee - K McCartney.
Scoring sequence (Accies first) - 3-0, 3-3, 3-8, 8-8, HT, 8-11, 8-18, 11-18, 11-23, 16-23.
Scorers - Edinburgh Accies: tries - Black (32), Hay-Smith (78); pens - Bailey (8, 60).
Musselburgh: tries - Bissett (19), Smith (55), MacCracken (64); conversion - Livingstone (55); penalties - Livingstone (12, 42).
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