THE schools rugby programme continued to be blighted by the wintry weather that forced the cancellation of the majority of matches last Saturday, prompting the perennial question of what time of year is optimum for the sport.

There is nothing exceptional about January little or no schools rugby happening in the weeks after New Year, so this season should be seen as par for the course. Many would aver that winter is not the time to be playing a sport that at its best is about pace and skilful handling and not about wading around in a thick top layer of mud.

In the ideal world the season could be arranged around optimum seasons for rugby but the schools are not part of a utopian system and therefore rugby and all other activities must be fitted round what goes on within education. It has been suggested that by shifting the exam season to pre-Christmas the warmer months of the year could be better utilised for sport but the chances of a December diet of Highers ever happening is remote.

To many the antidote to winter woes is artificial or so-called 3G and 4G pitches. But these too are far from ideal and players often complain of extra bruises after experiencing matches on these surfaces. The few such pitches there in Scotland are, however, in demand. Last Saturday, Allan Glens played Peebles Colts in the quarter-final of the National Youth under-18 Bowl resulting in a 29-19 win for the Borders side, who will now face Musselburgh in the semi final.

Meanwhile in the National Youth Under-18 Cup, Ayr are scheduled to play the defending champions, Jed Thistle at Riverside on Saturday in what will be a replay of last season's final. The other semi final will be against the winners of the postponed match between Highland and West of Scotland, last Saturday's game having been called off because of frozen pitches in Inverness.

In the under-16 Youth Cup, Hawick Albion booked their place in the last four with a 34-14 win over Ellon and as a result will have a home tie against Stirling County, 35-0 winners over Melrose Wasps at Bridgehaugh. Another Borders under-16 side, Gala Red Triangle, also progressed to the semi final, this time in the Bowl competition, despite drawing with Dundee Eagles 29-29. Gala, however, scored more tries and under the competition rules they were declared the winners.

Elsewhere Carrick Academy's hopes of reaching the semi final of the Brewin Dolphin under-16 Plate were shattered after losing 7-17 to Royal High School, despite leading 7-0 at half time through a try by centre Grant Thomson.