John Beattie praises West teenager Murray McConnell as side pull away from drop zone

Nov 26 2009 By Matthew Leslie

WEST OF SCOTLAND boss John Beattie praised his team's fighting spirit as they took another step towards beating the drop.

The Burnbrae side won their third win on the trot with a 13-7 victory at Watsonian's to lift them into mid-table and six points away from the relegation zone.

Michael Sim kicked eight points with the boot but Beattie reserved praise for 17-year-old scrum half Murray McConnell who capped off an inspired display with a superb try.

Beattie said: "I cannot over-state how important Murray has been for us this year.

"When you bear in mind he's still at school, it shows you how well he's doing.

"We have to thank Lenzie Academy for giving us permission to play him when they know it will exclude him from representing them in schools rugby and we a grateful to them for that.

"As for the result, we've just re-focussed on what our strenghts are and have been keeping it simple. We have to keep on going though as despite climbing out of the relegation zone, we are not home and dry yet."