A MEMBER of Preston Lodge’s league-winning side has described it as “a massive privilege” to represent the Edinburgh District.

Scott Clark was one of 13 players from East Lothian sides called up to the squad, which took on rivals from Glasgow and the West, Caledonia Reds, and The South.

And while a dozen of his team-mates play their club rugby for Premiership Musselburgh, Clark, who lives in Prestonpans, plays his rugby for his hometown club, who spent this season in the fourth tier of Scottish rugby.

The 22-year-old said: “It is one of the best experiences I have had.

“From meeting a group of 30-odd boys, not knowing any of them, and becoming a close knit squad.

“We handled ourselves pretty well against big sides.

“Off the field it was just as good.

“It felt almost like a club with the way the coaches did it and the leadership group handled themselves.”

Edinburgh’s opening fixture saw them edged out by eventual winners The South at Stoneyhill before bouncing back with an impressive comeback against Caledonia Reds in a 34-33 triumph.

It could have been even better for the team from the east but they let slip a 24-15 lead against Glasgow and the West, who finished as runners-up.

At club level, it has also been a season to remember for Clark, who works with East Air, who sponsor Preston Lodge.

The Pennypit side sealed an immediate return to National League Division Two with a near-flawless campaign.

Their only defeat of the league season came away to Orkney, a result that they reversed back on the mainland to lift the National League Division Three title.

Mark Steedman’s men also reached the quarter-finals of the National League Cup, where they lost out to Falkirk earlier this month.

Former Preston Lodge High School pupil Clark missed that game due to the final round of Inter-District Championship fixtures.

But he looked back on an impressive campaign with pride.

The fly-half said: “We have made the Pennypit a fortress.

“This has been my best season at the club.

“There has been a totally different buy-in.

“Off field and on field, we have felt really close.”

However, while many of his team-mates might be putting their feet up after a long, gruelling season, Clark still has plenty of rugby left to play.

He will be part of Watsonians Rugby’s FOSROC Super Series Sprint, which starts today (Friday).

At the weekend, he was also at the Melrose 7s as part of the Hearts + Balls Might Bovs alongside team-mate Nathan Ross and Musselburgh’s James Ferguson and Kyle Adams.

Clark told Courier Sport: “I’ve got one month off – July – so, hopefully the weather is nice!”