After a 90mins coach journey the County squad arrived to a blustery but dry rugby tournament, to face some of the bigger East coast names in mini rugby. Stirling were in Pool B of 4 teams (Currie, Boroughmuir and Preston Lodge). There was no semi-final for any of the age-groups - only a final, meaning we all had to play well from the off. Winner of a pool would mean a place in the final, to Pool A winners – (North Berwick, Musselburgh, Stewarts Melville & Edinburgh Accies).
U9
Our first match was against Currie. We were defeated 2 weeks ago in the final at Biggar, so it was all to play for. I had visions of the journey taking its toll & by half time the team 5 points down. The converse happened. Out of the blocks sprung the squad, working in harmony, making tackles as if their lives depended upon it & keeping the ball alive – by making the pass before grounded. Excellent support throughout. 14 minutes later a little battered but victors @ 6-5. The second match was a little easier against Boroughmuir. Excellent play again, practicing the basics yielded Stirling 10-5 winners. The third match versus Preston Lodge (PL) was more difficult. Darting runs & side steps by PL sometimes resulted in conceding tries. However Stirling kept their cool, managed to counter-score & edge ahead in the final quarter. They were through to the final as a result of a 6-4 win.
The final was edge of the seat stuff against Edinburgh Accies. Composure & strong tackling resulted in some determined runs & working as a team resulting in fast flowing play.
Winners by 5-3 then lifting the “Stirling - Kenny Logan cup” was well deserved. Victory for the 2nd year in a row.
Well done to everybody – Excellent. 110% was given by all the players for effort & determination. It paid off.
(Mr. Reynolds needs to check more thoroughly to ensure the correct trophy is returned to the correct tournament! – Expect a fine no doubt.)
U10
A blustery North Sea wind, a hard pitch and even harder east coast opposition greeted the boys and girls to North Berwick. With a league format and no semi finals the team realised that the format was going to be sudden death and that any defeat would confine them to an early trip to the tuck shop. With Currie up as the first opposition there was no prospect of County gradually easing their way into the competition. As expected Currie started strongly with some strong running but it dawned on the County kids that they weren't all that good and slowly but surely Stirling gained the ascendency using steel in midfield and pace on the wings. After spurning a myriad of overlaps, County couldn't believe how that match had finished in a 5-5 draw. It was now going to be down to points difference and the kids responded with a 10-2 demolition of a strong Boroughmuir side. The running angles, passing and support play was at times breathtaking. With the mission almost accomplished, Preston Lodge, lay between Stirling and a place in the final. The traveling support were checking their glasses as PL fielded identical twins who were extremely fast and agile players. Unfazed however County persisted with an effective game plan of hard tackling and midfield bursts which inevitably created acres of space for the flying wings. Final score County 7 PL 3.
So to the final against the club's nemesis Stewarts Melville. The Edinburgh team were the physical superiors of County and it was plain from the start that they would play a limited yet effective game of bulldozing runs and tight support. This had County reeling and down 3-1 pretty quickly, however yet again they rallied and played to their strengths. By half time the score was back to 3-3 and suddenly after the break they went 4-3 up. Stew Mel hit back to lead 5-4 and County looked out on their feet but a further trade of scores brought it to 6-5 and a County score in the corner after sustained pressure made it 6-6 with the clock almost dead. Stew Mel attacked again and lost the ball. County weaved upfield and battered the Stew Mel line, inches short. Suddenly the ball went loose, the kids looked to the referee and a Stew Mel player raced the length of the pitch to score and take the trophy. Heartbreak for County but they must all feel very proud of some fantastic performances.
U11
Stirling U11's had the hardest start possible against Currie who had beaten them in the final last time at Biggar. However, a superb tackling display never allowed Currie over the halfway line with County running out 4-0 deserved winners. The same pattern followed next against Boroughmuir. Rucking also started to improve in this game, coupled with better use of the ball and County were 7-0 victors.
A slower start in the final group game against Preston Lodge meant we were actually defending our try line, but again the tackling came to the fore, ball was turned over and pressure relieved. County ran out 7-0 victors again, and straight through to the final without a try being conceded – a fantastic achievement.
The final saw County up against StewMel. A great start to the first half saw County work their way to the StewMel try line and were camped there for the majority of the half. However, a failure to turn pressure into a score proved our downfall. In the second half StewMel came back into the game and eventually scored. County fought back valiantly but to no avail. Final score was 0-1. A fantastic display by the boys.
The U11 team have reached the final in both tournaments (Biggar & NB) so far this season. They are showing real promise and have the chance to go one better next weekend at the Stewart's Melville tournament!
U12
Our 1st game was against Currie and this proved to be our worst performance of the day. What looked to be a reasonable start to the game with an easy try straight through the middle of pitch gave us an initial 1-0 advantage. This advantage was soon removed when Currie equalised after some poor tackling. Currie scored 2 more tries through ineffective tackling and rucking. The kids were aware of their performance and guaranteed a better show for the 2nd game. Next was Boroughmuir. We had a different team out there. Wonderful rucking and defensive lines enabled us to win turnover ball regularly. Passing the ball down the lines ensured we stretched BM and scored many tries – a 5-0 final score. Most notable were 2 thumping tackles by County on BM lads. The referee, for some reason, decided the ground was too hard! One player was sub’d and the other told not to repeat it! Unbelievable! Preston Lodge had already pulled out of the Pool and so we had to wait for the Runners-up playoff.
Eventually we found out who our foe were – StewMel. The game started as the BM game had finished. Some highly effective rucking and tackling showed our dominance. StewMel never really got into the game. This showed in the 5-0 win. Let’s wait for next week though when we’re at their Tournie before we start crowing too much…..
Thanks to all the parents for their help & support.
