Under 18s rout the students

Oct 22 2008

STIRLING County Under 18’s hosted a late switched match against Stirling University Under 20’s last Saturday after the university pitches were declared unplayable.

This fixture allowed the County youngsters a preparation match prior to their John Lewis National Cup fixture against Boroughmuir next weekend.

The County coaches had expected a physical challenge against the student side and were keen that the team started better than had been evident in the last two fixtures. On both counts the players responded appropriately with three scores within the first 15 minutes shattering the students resistance. Craig Robertson, Billy McCulloch and Andy Parker leading the charge.

County continued to dominate the contact zones and with the aim to play with width, the Stirling students found difficulty in covering the County attack. Stuart Edwards increased the lead on 22 minutes and County dominated possession until the break without turning pressure to points.

The aim at the interval was to maintain momentum and an immediate response from the kick-off resulted in scores by Glenn Bryce and Gavin Denham extending the lead. County were able to introduce replacements and maintain pressure on the student s

Further scores by Danny Gilmour, Fynn Russell,Robbie Hogg and Edwards completed the rout at 60-0. County coped well with the physical challenge of the older student side and now eagerly await the cup fixture next weekend. Particularly pleasing was the range of scorers from the County ranks and the form of players returning from illness and injury.

The National cup match against Boroughmuir will have a 1pm kick-off at Bridgehaugh. This will be a stern test for the County youngsters against a side who won the National Under 16 competition last season.