schools rugby Bell-Baxter High became the second of the Bell Lawrie Scottish Schools under-18 Cup finalists after defeating Merchiston Castle 15-8 in the second of the semi-finals at Beveridge Park, Kirkcaldy last night.

schools rugby Bell-Baxter High became the second of the Bell Lawrie Scottish Schools under-18 Cup finalists after defeating Merchiston Castle 15-8 in the second of the semi-finals at Beveridge Park, Kirkcaldy last night.

The Cupar school trailed 8-3 at half-time, their only points coming from a penalty goal by the full-back Peter Horne, to a try by Fraser Brown and a penalty by Douglas Bringhurst for Merchiston.

But in the second half Bell-Baxter struck back with two tries, one by Horne, who added the conversion, and a second by man-of-the-match Chris Fusaro.

"The team showed enormous tenacity in coming from behind," said the Bell-Baxter manager Pat Rollo, the former Scotland and Great Britain international hurdler and daughter of rugby legend Dave Rollo. "It was very hard for our lighter forwards but our boys gave a great account of themselves in the frontal battle."

Merchiston coach Mark Appleson, who watched his team exit from the cup at the semi-final stage for a fourth year in a row, admitted that Bell-Baxter were deserved winners. "We're gutted but we should have put them away after we led at half-time. In the final analysis we were not good enough. They definitely raised their game," he said.