U18s romp to victory

Apr 1 2009 by Jean Pedder, Stirling Observer Wednesday

A TRIP west to meet Greenock Wanderers in a friendly match was arranged last Saturday for Stirling County Under 18’s.

The County squad bolstered with the return from injury of a number of regulars, looked on paper to be too strong for a Greenock side that had been struggling in the West division league this season.

County fielded a team mixed with experience and youth, both looking to keep players match sharp for the National Youth Final later in April but also to build for next season by introducing and maintaining development of some of the younger players.

The opening exchanges reflected the relative positions of the sides, with County running some impressive attacks with good off-loading and support movement. The opening score on five minutes by Andy Parker intruding from full-back set the tone.

Within ten minutes the score had been extended to 14-0 with Billy McCulloch getting in on the act from the base of the scrum and good conversions from Robbie Hogg.

County continued to dominate in open play and were disappointed to lose a score when the Greenock pack rumbled in from fifteen meters to register on the scoreboard before winger Ross Kinnear completed a fine handling sequence by going over in the corner with pace.

Further scores by Craig Robertson, Robbie Hogg and Chris Cheung took the score to 36-5 at the break. County replaced six players at the interval, however there was little disruption to the attack momentum.

Hogg added a further score before another lapse in concentration in defence near the County line allowed the home side a score they barely deserved. Mark Marchbank with a brace and a classy finish by prop Nicky Faill after a move that showed pace and precision passing completed the scoring at 61-12.

Although this was a runaway win it was against weak opposition and the County coaches will have been less than impressed with the nature of the two scores lost against a big pack which will be similar to the opposition that County will face in the national final against Currie.

Some work has still to be done particularly in defence in the lead up to the Murrayfield match. It is unlikely that the youth side will have a match this coming week-end however, the County coaches were still seeking a friendly fixture as we go to press.