Cup semi this week

Jan 21 2009 by Jean Pedder, Stirling Observer Wednesday

STIRLING County Under 18’s completed their preparations for the National Youth Cup this week with a hastily arranged friendly fixture against Stewarts Melville school in Edinburgh last Saturday.

County again fielded a young development side with a number of key players recruited to the County 1st and 2nds senior sides for important league fixtures.

County opened with the advantage of a strong breeze but despite this advantage it was the Edinburgh side that created pressure in the early stages. An early opportunity for the home side was squandered when a penalty rebounded from the upright and was cleared by County. On ten minutes a yellow card for dangerous play in a ruck against a County forward put pressure on the defence.

However, it was County that seemed to respond the better to this setback and took the game into the Edinburgh side’s defence zone. On 15 minutes a break in midfield allowed quick ball transfer to winger Robbie Hogg who struck wide on the left and County were up 5-0. The lead was retained until a penalty was conceded for handling in the ruck and Stewart Melville reduced the deficit to 5-3. With seconds to go and with a lineout on the County line an interception allowed the home side to snatch a score and go in at the break 8-5 ahead.

As the second half opened County were dealt another blow as backrow forward Billy McCulloch was injured in contact and had to leave the field on a stretcher. It is hoped that his ankle injury is not too serious and there is the possibility of recovery for the National Cup semi-final on Saturday.

County re-grouped and when they gained quality ball looked dangerous in the back line. However with ten minutes remaining the County play began to become increasingly ragged. Stewarts Melville began to press and forced a handling error which was eagerly accepted with a score under the posts. An easy penalty score followed and County were left to force the game. Inevitably Stewarts Melville took advantage of a break to score again. With the score at 25-5 County were unable to reduce the deficit.

County now look forward to the semi-final this Saturday at Bridgehaugh against a GHA side that currently sit at the top of the Glasgow league with a place in the Murrayfield showpiece final as the prize. The match kicks-off at 2pm.