Try-happy County

Apr 15 2009 by Alan Rennie, Stirling Observer Wednesday

STIRLING County produced some super rugby for the live BBC coverage on Saturday at the Melrose Sevens.

They raced in six tries to dump guest Canadian outfit from Ottawa, Barrhaven Scottish, 40-10 in their opening tie.

Scorers were Jonny Hope (2), Ben Addison (2), Ross Aitken and Dan Jackson. Brian Archibald kicked four conversions and Jonny Hope one.

Others in the County squad were Gordon McRorie, Alan Auld, Kevin Bryce, Graham Lindsay and Ben Fleming.

The last-named player, an Aussie who will be staying in Stirling for another year, looked in very lively form and he gave County an early lead against quarter-final opponents Watsonians.

However, County seemed to be running out of steam as the interval approached and Sonians snatched a try just before half-time.

The tie looked over for Stirling when a converted try by Richard Minto put the Edinburgh side 14-5 up. However, Graham Lindsay’s strength and pace earned him a try which revived Stirling hopes.

The next score was going to be the winner but it fell for Watsonians when weak Stirling tackling allowed a breakaway down the left flank.

Watsonians’ “reward” was a semi-final against the pacey eventual winners of the Ladies Cup, the University of Johannesburg. They went down by a 38-14 margin.

Coach Graeme Young will now lead the Stirling squad to the Hawick Sevens event this Saturday.

Saturday, April 25, is a big date for Stirling rugby fans.

On that day, there is the Stirling County Sevens, from 12 noon to 6pm, and the Scottish Under-18 Championship Cup Final at Murrayfield, when Stirling play Currie Colts.