Murrayfield joy for the Bridgehaugh boys

Apr 29 2009

A TRIP to Murrayfield on Saturday evening secured another National Youth Cup victory for Stirling County’s talented Under 18s – for the second year in succession.

The 34-13 win crowned another great season for the Bridgehaugh players with the Caledonia League title awaiting ratification as Gordonstoun have conceded the final league fixture.

This National Youth Cup win against Currie has maintained the success of the Stirling club in the national tournament and extended the number of wins in the competition to eight in total.

County started the match as favourites and this tag was confirmed as early as the third minute when captain and stand-off Stuart Edwards finished a good break by centre Mark Marchbanks to touchdown. Edwards converted his own score for County to lead 7-0.

A long range successful penalty by the Currie centre reduced the deficit on five minutes before County struck again, fullback Glen Bryce showing good pace to scamper over after good lead up work by scrum-half Sean Kennedy. County were up 12-3 with only ten minutes gone.

On 17 minutes, another intrusion by Bryce from full-back created the overlap and winger Craig Roberston gratefully took advantage to score in the corner to further extend the lead to 17 -3.

Currie were being blown away by the pace and secure handling of the County backs with centres Marchbank and Danny Gilmour consistently breaking the defence line and creating good targets for the County forwards.

It was no surprise when scrum-half Sean Kennedy completed one of many fine breaks with a further score on 20 minutes. Edwards converted and County were 24-3 ahead.

However with six minutes of the half remaining Currie registered their second score with a penalty after County twice infringed near the try line. Half-time: County 24 Currie 6.

The second period commenced with County continuing the offensive with the front five competitive at the set-piece and the backline looking threatening when the ball was spun wide.

However, as the match progressed

Currie began to gain in confidence particularly after surviving some pressure near their line and attempted to run from deep when they had the ball.

An injury to Marchbanks saw replacement Robbie Hogg take the field at centre eight minutes into the second period.

The match had began to be a more balanced affair and this balance was maintained until the 17th minute of the second period when County centre Danny Gilmour slalomed though the Currie rearguard to score and extend the lead to 29-6.

County began to run the bench and with all the replacements on the match entered the final quarter.

With ten minutes remaining, Currie struck with a deserved score as they pressured the County defence near the line and were rewarded with a try from their driving prop forward.

The conversion took the score to 29-13. County responded with a final flourish when Robbie Hogg made a break after some good handling to close the match with a try taking the final score to 34-13.

This was a fine victory for the Stirling side with some impressive pace, power and handling being shown in the opening period in particular.

Back-row Robbie Boswell was named as a deserved man of the match.

Well done to the County Under 18 squad who have produced a winning formula in league, cup and at representative level in Caledonia and National level this season.

The squad offers thanks to the numerous County supporters who travelled to Murrayfield last Saturday evening

Stirling County – Glen Bryce; Craig Robertson, Danny Gilmour, Mark Marchbank, Euan Laverty; Stuart Edwards, Sean Kennedy; Fraser Smith, Stewart Hiddleston, Graeme Simpson, James Spray, Marc Cattigan, Stewart McCulloch, Robbie Boswell and Andrew Ritchie. Reps - Gregor McIntosh, Nicky Faill, Kyle Dalziel, Grant Smith, Andy Parker, Robbie Hogg and Jamie Anderson.

Turn to page 59 for more Murrayfield pictures