GLASGOW Hawks chief coach Gary Mercer believes his side's home-turf victory on Saturday was as much a triumph over the horrendous weather as it was against a typically stubborn Stirling County outfit.
Mercer couldn't disguise his relief following the tense but deserved 10-3 success, which kept alive the hosts' hopes of squeezing into the top-four reckoning.
Mercer said: "We played the difficult conditions really well, particularly in defence where we were outstanding.
"I have to also give great credit to County, who stuck to their task and they made us dig deeper and deeper to make sure we got the outcome we needed."
Jack Macfarlane snapped up the only try of a tight contest midway through the first half, reacting quickly following the chargedown of a Shaun Treweek clearance.
Pierre Mounal banged over the conversion along with a penalty, while Jonny Hope kicked Stirling's consolation goal.
Ayr kick-started their quest to be top seeds in the play-off as they snuffed out the stuffy challenge of Gala 20-13 at Millbrae.
The seasiders' tries were claimed by Haddon McPherson just before the break and skipper Ross Curle 10 minutes from time.
Frazier Climo was in pinpoint form with the boot, slotting two penalties and both conversions.
For the second week on the trot, Boroughmuir launched a stirring fightback - but on this occasion they did enough to snatch the 19-18 win.
Trailing 18-0 at Meggetland, the hosts looked out for the count, however they clicked into gear when it mattered.
Jordan Edmunds provided the impetus before substitute Karl Furey crashed over for the clincher in stoppage time, goaled by Dave Reekie.
Max Learmonth emerged as the hero for Heriot's as they prevailed 11-0 against Hawick in the Mansfield Park mud to bolster their quest to hold on to the title.
Learmonth was in the right place at the right time 10 minutes before the interval to finish in style.
Graham Wilson was also instrumental in the success, landing two penalties which staved off a Greens fightback.
Scotland winger Rory Hughes powered in for two touchdowns to propel Currie to a 46-29 victory over Selkirk at Philliphaugh.
Stand 0ff James Semple also notched a brace late in the game to underline the sharpness of the Malleny Park side.
He ended up with a tally of 21 points, thanks to his four conversions and a penalty.
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