Despite falling behind early, Watsonian FC fought back in a nine-try nail-biter under the lights at Bridgehaugh.

(Photo courtesy of Bryan Robertson Photography)

A game under the lights always feels a little bit special and on Friday the 18th of March, both Watsonians and Stirling County put something extraordinary on the field.

Stirling County hosted our Watsonians 1st XV in a match that will be remembered as exhilarating, scintillating by the fans and somewhat frustrating for both teams as they fought out a 31-31 draw in Bridgehaugh.

Stirling, who sit one position above Watsonians, and beat the Myreside team by just two points earlier this season, jumped out early with a converted try on the ten-minute mark, giving them a 7-0 lead.

Still reeling, Watsonians were quickly under pressure again and, after a quick break, found themselves two scores down after another converted try.

Not content with the already considerable challenge, Watonians were punished close to the try line, and Stirling put the ball through the uprights to take a 17-0 lead, all before the half-hour mark.

With half time on the horizon, 'Sonians' managed a sustained attack that resulted in an Andrew Steven try. Still, without the conversion, the teams left the field at Stirling County 17 - 5 Watsonians.

The halftime team talk must have stirred something in the Myreside team as just over ten minutes into the half, Mark Wilson cruised over and Jack Ferguson added the conversion, reducing the gap to 17-12.

Straight away, Stirling were back on the attack and by the 57th minute, the lead was once again 12 points.

As the temperature dropped off the field, the pace increased on it as the two teams sought points to fight off any chance of relegation.

Watsonians answered first, second and third, with three tries in ten minutes.

Josh Law started the purple patch in the 60th minute, although the conversion was charged down, two more converted tries from Jacobs and Young had the Watsonians in the lead for the first time at 31-24.

Having led for nearly 70 minutes, Stirling managed one more attack, and in the 77th minute, they again broke through the Sonians defence, adding a conversion to finish the game 31-31.

While both teams will be disappointed, they'll also take the three points over a possible defeat in this Friday night classic.