HILLFOOTS RFC blew Forth Valley rivals Bannockburn away on Sunday, with a comfortable 9-43 win to their name.

Bannockburn had been struggling in the league so far, with just one win picked up this season, while Hillfoots looked to get back to winning ways after losing to Alloa the previous week.

Despite league positions and form, Burn got the early points after an offside penalty right in front of the Foots goal, with Oli Mole kicking to earn the three points.

They soon doubled their lead through Mole again from another kickable penalty, giving Foots the worst possible start.

However, Foots soon found their stride and began to break the gain line through strong carrying from Robert Hodge and Ian Lightley.

The Burn’s defence could not get back onside quick enough, allowing Foots to take a quick penalty kick from their own half and send Paul Slade over the line in the right corner.

Callum Williamson added the extras to put Foots ahead by 7-6. Mole would not stop, however, and grabbed another three points for his side following a dubious penalty in their favour.

However, these would be the last points Bannockburn would register, as Hillfoots ran out comfortable winners after that.

Fraser Christie found a gap and managed to offload out of the tackle to Danny Cockroft to go in under the posts, Williamson again adding the extras.

Foots got their third try of the half through Ross Kinnear, picking up the ball from Aidan Kerr to dot down on the touchline.

The conversion drifted just wide, but it mattered not, with Hillfoots ahead by 19-9 at half time.

Head coach Graeme Simpson said: “Bannockburn really put up a strong fight in the first half and certainly made us earn the right to start playing rugby.

“Once we broke them down a bit in the second half, we started to take control.

“It was great to get back on the winning side and this will be a performance we can build from again.”

Ewan Paton came off the bench to make an immediate impact, finding a gap and scoring to the left of the posts, Williamson on target once again.

Paton would go onto grab his second try, shaking off any concerns that his hamstring injury would keep him out for long.

The substitute would complete his hat-trick following a piece of unselfish play from Kerr. Kerr got his own chance to score as well, on hand to collect a bounce pass and dive down in the right-hand corner.

Next up for Foots is a visit from Howe Crusaders at 3pm at Tillicoultry Park.