A 26-3 win over West of Scotland at Bridgehaugh on Saturday confirmed Stirling County as the President’s Conference champions in the under-18 section at the conclusion of what has been an unbeaten campaign in the inaugural season of the competition. Moreover, results in the other age groups from S1- U16 gave County the overall win in the President’s Conference.
Against West of Scotland, County ran in four tries, one each from second row Duncan Hendry, centre James Gibson, stand-off Cormac Wcislo and flanker Murray Anderson. Full back Logan Trotter, who has been selected for the Scotland under-18 training squad, converted three of his side’s scores.
Close behind and second in the President’s Conference were Ayr, who lent further weight to the campaign for more integrated club/school meetings by playing Strathallan on Saturday, not only at all age levels from S1-S18 but also in B team matches between the club and school.
In the event Ayr won both games at U18s level, the A game by 15-5 and the B game by 24-0 and similarly at under 16. Strathallan however edged the S1 winning 18-15 and won the S2 A game by 24-12. Ayr meanwhile won the S2 B match by 42-3 but lost the S3 A game by 40 - 0 and the S3B match by 50-47.
“Overall they were good games. I’m really pleased to get the numbers out that we did and it was great to see us competing at the top end in what were tough conditions for both teams.” said Stuart Fenwick, the Ayr youth rugby director.
Further evidence that Ayr are moving the schools/club integration concept forward comes with the announcement from the club of two matches next term with Merchiston and one with Scottish Schools Cup winners, George Watson’s College.
Also in action on Saturday in a club/school fixture were St Aloysius College who took on Glasgow Hawks at under-18 level, finishing winners by 38-10 with tries from Santino Marcheti, Liam Nolan, a penalty try, Dan York, Jacob Siems and Rory MacDonald and four conversions from Mike Hughes.
Elsewhere Glasgow High School travelled to south Ayrshire to play Carrick Academy. In the event Glasgow won 19-10 in a close match but one which shows Carrick, from small beginnings in rugby, have built their strength to the point where they are now able to compete with the likes of Glasgow High School.
“We are starting to become very competitive against the tier two schools at u18 level so we must be improving.” observed Gordon Brown, the driving force behind Carrick’s rugby rise.
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