Stewart’s Melville kicked off the U16 Schools Cup Final in the main Scottish Gas Murrayfield Bowl earlier this morning.

Within the first five minutes George Watson’s College got on the scoreboard thanks to a lovely break by outside centre Ian Nimmo. The ball was recycled before prop Archie Catto crashed over from short range for the opening score of the game

The Myreside school extended their lead further when winger Hamish Turner ran in a lovely score from outside the 22 to make it Stewarts Melville 0-10 George Watson’s.

On the half hour mark Stew Mel got points on the board through a lovely try by winger Cameron Spowart who chipped the ball ahead from 15 metres out, before dotting in down on the Murrayfield turf.

Watson’s hit back shortly after through a well-worked line-out on the five-metre line. They mauled it forwards before allowing openside flanker Daniel Hunter to cross the whitewash.

Half-time: Stewart’s Melville 5-15 George Watsons

Into the second half,George Watson’s replacement full-back Aiden Fitzgerald collected a free-kick from Stew Mel around 40 metres out. He fended off three defenders to score a lovely try in the corner to give them a 15-point lead.

They extended their lead further when  Hunter broke away from a tackle to score his second try of the day with a successful conversion by stand-off Mathew Denham.

Stew Mel hit back only moments later with their second try of the day when loosehead prop Duncan Anderson drove his way over the try line from short range.

George Watsons scored their sixth try of the day when hooker Oliver Stones picked the back up quickly from the back of the breakdown and forced himself over the try line, the score was successfully converted by stand-off Mathew Denham.

Full-Time: Stewart’s Melville 10-34 George Watson’s College

POTM: Mathew Denham (George Watson’s College)
Match Officials: Ref Lee Fish, AR1 Gregor McIntosh, AR2 Allana McLean

High School of Dundee kicked off towards the Riverside end in this morning’s opening fixture against Hutcheson’s Grammar.

And it was Grammar’s outside centre Felix Taylor who got the scoreboard jolting into life, just five minutes in – crashing over on the right. Michael Lenagh couldn’t add the extras. (5-0)

But Dundee fought back and had a penalty right in front, 11 minutes in. Henry Dorman pointed to the posts, and knocked it over. (5-3)

Dundee’s Andrew Coulson broke through on 14 minutes, scything through the Hutchesons’ defence, but was brought down in a last-ditch tackle. It didn’t keep them out though, as Brodie Lee crossed over in the corner – a true winger’s try. Dorman lined up the conversion, but from a tight angle couldn’t convert. (5-8)

Grammar’s response took a while, but when it came, it was precise. Pick and drives in the Dundee 22 led to Campbell Glendinning bowling through tacklers and landing over the try line. Lenagh popped the ball over to add the extras after 25 minutes. (12-8)

Another immediate response though, from Dundee. Dorman made a break of his own, from just outside his own 22. Beating three, then stepping the full back to dot down under the posts. He converted his own try to put Dundee back in the lead. (12-15)

A disallowed try for a Dundee double movement saw the scoreline stay at just a three-point difference going into half time. Dundee leading Grammar 15-12.

HALF-TIME: High School of Dundee 15-12 Hutchesons’ Grammar School

Just two minutes in to the second half, Grammar struck. A rolling maul from a penalty lineout saw Angus Cheng thunder over to give Grammar the lead once again. Lenagh struck the conversion attempt well, but couldn’t add the extras. (17-15)

Grammar almost struck twice in two minutes, but the ball was held up over the line.

Ten minutes into the second half, Dundee were exerting pressure on the Grammar line, resulting in Coulson crashing over in the left-hand corner. Dorman pulled the conversion, leaving Dundee leading by three. (17-20)

An injury to Grammar’s Alistair Scott has seen a pause to the game. We hope he is doing well after the match concludes. He’s replaced by Alex Lin.

Dundee get the game moving again and win a penalty on the 22 line, to the left hand side. Dorman points to the posts, and splits them! Dundee extends their lead to six. 57 mins. (17-23)

Grammar strike straight back though, on the 59^th minute. But it’s ruled out for a forward pass! It’ll be a goal-line drop out to Dundee.

That might be the game, now! Dundee capitalise on the space out wide, with a cross kick to Lee, who crosses over to extend Dundee’s lead. Dorman can’t add the extras. (17-28)

Grammar bring the deficit back down though, as Angus Cheng crashes over at the base of the posts! Campbell Glendinning adds the extras and the deficit is just four points, with two minutes left. (24-28)

Match officials:
Referee: Euan Maguire
AR1: Lee Murru
AR2: Sean Mallon

Player of the Match: Andrew Coulson (High School of Dundee)

St. Leonards/Madras Blues edged a closely fought battle with George Heriot’s School to win the U16 Boys Bowl on the back pitch at Scottish Gas Murrayfield.

Heriot’s started the brighter of the sides, withstanding some early pressure from their opponents before gradually getting a foothold themselves, winger Jonas Lai scampering home for the game’s first try to give the Edinburgh-based school the lead.

It took a while for the St. Andrews’ team to reassert their early territorial advances but after a couple of close calls, they did just that through Ruaridh Stewart.

The centre weaved his way to the line from close range to get St Leonards/Madras Blues on the scoreboard and they made it a quickfire double before the interval when flanker Manuel Barbosa took a clever inside ball from winger Archie Donaldson to dot down and afford his side a narrow half-time lead

Half-time: St. Leonards/Madras Blues 10-7 George Heriot’s School

The second 35 minutes was initially as cagey as one might expect from two teams so evenly matched in the opening exchanges. Heriot’s struggled to get field position despite having plenty of ball and when St. Leonards/Madras Blues were awarded a penalty 40 metres out, captain Xander Sneddon landed a tidy goal to extend their lead.

Sneddon repeated the trick a matter of minutes later, albeit from slightly closer, as St. Leonards/Madras Blues started to turn the screw in engineering a nine-point advantage at 16-7.

Heriot’s showed great determination to haul themselves back into it, a super run from captain Daniel Reid, during which he beat a number of defenders, just coming up short. After a number of penalty transgressions from the resulting rucks, however, Heriot’s were awarded a penalty try to cut the deficit to two with less than five minutes on the clock.

St. Leonards/Madras Blues were sparked back into life and as the game reached its final act, substitute Fife Gillan went over for a try that sealed victory, Sneddon’s conversion adding further gloss to a well-won contest.

Full-time: St. Leonards/Madras Blues 23-14 George Heriot’s School

Referee: Jayme McGoldrick

Assistant referees: Murray Oliver and Gordon Crossan

Player of the Match: Xander Sneddon (St. Leonards/Madras Blues)

Edinburgh Academy opened the scoring in the first few minutes through their captain Ruaridh Hamilton-Hill when he spotted a gap in Dollar Academy’s defence. Conversion from Jock Lawrie successful. (0-7).

In the 14^th minute, Edinburgh had a lineout on the far-right side and managed to ship the ball from width to width to get left winger Harris Woodward over the tryline. Conversion missed. (0-12).

Edinburgh thought they had gotten over again, but Dollar did good work to hold up Edinburgh’s Joe Henretty.

Dollar worked from their own tryline to the other to open their scoring through Alex Wishart to close the first half proceedings. (5-12).

Half-time: Dollar Academy 5 – 12 The Edinburgh Academy

Dollar’s replacement David Johnstone opened the scoring within the first minute to chase down Edinburgh. Conversion unsuccessful. (10-12).

Edinburgh responded quickly with a try of their own from Finlay Deacon. Conversion from Lawrie successful (10-19).

Edinburgh went to score again, but an unfortunate knock on put an end to that. Minutes later, Lawrie slotted a penalty kick. (10-22).

Dollar were awarded a penalty which released Nic Dow to go over the whitewash. Conversion from Hamish Mackay successful (17-22).

Edinburgh’s Thomas Miller spotted a great gap in Dollar’s defence to dot down between the sticks. Conversion from today’s player of the match Jock Lawrie successful (17-29).

Dollar closed the gap when Ollie Beavan-Whitty crossed, but Edinburh Academy held on to take the spoils (22-29).

FULL-TIME: Dollar Academy 22 – 29 The Edinburgh Academy

Referee:  Scott McCall

Assistant Referees: Lee Fish and Jayme McGoldrick

Player of the match: Jock Lawrie (Edinburgh Academy)

Despite a valiant performance from the High School of Dundee, George Watson’s College came out on top in the U18 Schools Shield Final ay Scottish Gas Murrayfield, winning 34-12.

George Watson’s College made a quick start to their Shield campaign, scoring in the opening two minutes. With Dundee penalised on their five-metre line for being in and offside position, Oliver Richardson took a quick tap and drove across the line. The conversion was unsuccessful (5-0).

Watson’s next score came from the clinical work of the forward pack, who stole the ball from Dundee at a line out on their oppositions five metre line, with prop Michael McAndrew powering across the line from short range for the try. Harry Clark’s conversion was successful, extending Watson’s lead to 12-0.

But Dundee were eager to strike back, as they began to string together some positive phased of play to encroach into Watson’s half. It wasn’t before long that number eight Fraser Doig opted for a pick and go from inside the 22, weaving his way through the defence to dive across the whitewash for Dundee’s first try of the night. Finn Lawson added the extras.

George Watson’s added a third try to their account ahead of half-time through stand-off Angus Robson, who weaved his way through four defenders from inside Dundee’s 22 to score. The conversion was unsuccessful.

HALF-TIME: George Watson’s College 17 – 7 High School of Dundee

With just ten points between the two sides at half-time, it was all to play for in the remaining 35 minutes.

The opening exchanges were scrappy, with both sides struggling to get a foothold. After some time, Watson’s were able to start trundling their way into the opposition territory. It was here that Dundee’s Dawson Ballantyne was show a yellow card after his team accumulated too many penalties as Watson’s tested their defence on their five-metre line. Despite then being a player down, Dundee were able to compose themselves and clear their lines.

After 15 minutes of the second half had been played, Watson’s were looking to extend their lead. Robson looked to be on for the score after breaking through the defence from half-way before being tackled by Dundee’s Arya Sanu. Despite getting the ball away, Watson’s were held up over the line. But just moments later winger Vinnie WaLker combined with replacement Calum Lee to score on the right wing. Clark added the extras.

Watson’s further extended their lead utilising their forward pack to maul their way up to Dundee’s 22. Watson’s looked to put in a cheeky chip, which deflected off a Dundee player, but was gathered by Angus Robson, who scored his second try of the night under the sticks. Captain Clark converted successfully.

Dundee’s Sam Marnie was shown a yellow card for foul play as he looked to intercept and disrupt Watson’s attack, however is attempt was deemed to be illegal. This left Dundee down to 14 players for the rest of the match.

The numbers were shortly levelled as Watson’s Vinnie Walker was shown a yellow card for his offside position.

A lack of discipline for Dundee as the clock wound down saw Harry Clark line up to take a penalty from inside the 22, which was successful, adding three more to the Watson’s tally.

Dundee still had lots of fight left in them, proving that at the restart as they flew up on Watson’s to force an error as they tried to gather. With the ball loose, hooker Jock Smith was quick to react, grabbing, going and scoring from close range. The conversion was unsuccessful.

With seconds remaining, there wasn’t much to go from at the restart, and quickly Watson’s kicked the ball away to win the match.

FULL-TIME: George Watson’s College 34 – 12 High School of Dundee

Player of the Match: Angus Robson (George Watson’s College)

Referee: David Young

One of the matches of the day, the Under-18 Plate was won by Robert Gordon’s College after a scintillating 70 minutes.

It all started with mounting pressure from Robert Gordon’s College, forcing infringements, allowing them to line up an attempt at the posts. Fullback Lewys Brooks hit the crossbar – but it went over! Robert Gordons led 3-0 after five minutes.

From a scrum inside their 5m line, Robert Gordons captain Jamie Barron ran the length of the pitch, beating no less than four defenders, and recovering from an ankle tap, to cross over and record the first try of the night. Brooks again hit the post, but it fell away this time, with 15 minutes gone. (8-0)

Pressure was then mounting the other way as Glenalmond strung phases together inside the Robert Gordons 22. Anton Christie was the ultimate beneficiary of a tap and go, when he crashed over to open the scoring for Glenalmond. Kieran Claassen added the extras, returning the deficit to just one, 18 minutes in. (8-7)

From the back of the scrum, the ball was spun wide for Glenalmond, falling to winger Josh Alexander in acres of space. He raced away and over the line to nab Glenalmond’s second try. Claassen converted well from a tight angle to see Glenalmond go six points into the leadgoing into the break. (8-14)

Half time: Robert Gordon’s College 8 – 14 Glenalmond College

A brilliant Robert Gordons start from halfway saw Brooks sneak over off the back of his own line break. He converted his own try, taking the score to 15-14 after 40 minutes. (15-14)

But an instant response from Glenalmond heaped the pressure back on Robert Gordons, ending in Josh Alexander crossing over right by the corner flag. Claassen from the touchline could not convert, leaving Glenalmond four-point leaders with 24 minutes to play. (15-19)

After a tip tackle in the midfield, winger Alexander from Glenalmond was sent to the sin bin, 53 minutes into the match.

That was all the invitation Robert Gordons needed, as from the penalty the ball went through the hands to that man again Brooks, who glided over in the corner to put Robert Gordons back in front. Again, a tight angle for the conversion, but it went wide in the 56^th minute. (20-19)

Again a try, and again that boy Brooks! Robert Gordons stole away down the right and he carried the ball hard and fast all the way over the line from his own half. That was a hat trick for Brooks – and he converted his try too. That was an eight-point lead with four minutes remaining. (27-19)

That was all she wrote – a knock on in midfield saw one of – if not THE – game of the day come to an end. A see-sawing match where both sides could have won it on their day. But for some individual brilliance from a handful of standout players.

Final score: Robert Gordon’s College 27 – 19 Glenalmond College

Match officials:
Referee: Alex Obreja
AR1: Matthew Wilkie
AR2: Scott McCall

Player of the Match: Lewys Brooks (Robert Gordon’s College)

Match Report U18 Bowl Final:

The St Columba’s Pipe Band built up a great atmosphere ahead of the U18 Bowl Final on the back pitches at the Murrayfield campus.

When play started, it took a while for the teams to find their rhythm and the excitement of the occasion caused a few errors and penalties on either side.

Once settled, St Columba’s had the first opportunity for a period of dominant attack, led by a breakthrough the Queen Victoria School’s defensive line. They maintained their pressure in attack and eventually put the first points on the board with a try from full back, Freddie MacFeate. The conversion was kicked by Captain, Archie Thomson was successful.

The momentum stayed with St Columba’s and they got their second try quickly after the restart from Ethan Hart. Thomson added the extras.

Queen Victoria School responded well to the pressure to make some yards, but their success was unfortunately hampered by some errors, and they struggled with discipline in the crucial moments.

Once they settled into their attacking plays, St Columba’s managed to remain calm and strong in their defence against some determined attacking plays.

Queen Victoria School saw some success for their efforts at last with a quick break from their full back working along the phases until their captain, James Douglas crossed the whitewash to get their first points of the match. The try was successfully converted by Jeshon Thapa.

As the rain started, St Columba’s showed some slick play from their backs but when Queen Victoria School were given a chance, they took it and made some serious breaks up the field. Douglas gained ground, passing out to Thapa who scored. Pauliasi Qalobulawasaikabara added the crucial points from the conversion to take the score to 14-14 at the break.

Half-time: St Columba’s 14-14 Queen Victoria School

The wind a rain made conditions a challenge in the second half with both teams making errors. Tensions were high, which resulted in a yellow card being given to Queen Victoria’s School.

Making some advance within the yellow card period, a brilliant offload to the wing, gave St. Columba’s the chance to take the lead again.

As the second half continued with stoppages and penalties, mainly due to the difficult weather conditions forcing errors, St. Columba’s extended the lead with a try in the corner from number 8, Max Potter.

A final score in the remaining minutes from Cameron Kean secured the win with captain, James Douglas, adding the final points from the conversion.

Full-Time: St Columba’s  31- 14 Queen Victoria School

Referee: Gregor McIntosh

Assistant referees: Euan Maguire, Danny Blair

Player of the Match: 13. Rory McLean (St. C)

Final team sheets:

Queen Victoria School

15. Duncan Stephen 14. Ryan Andrew’s 13. James Douglas CAPTAIN 12. Jacob Raduadua 11. Ethan Jones 10. Jeshon Thapa 9. Pauliasi Qalobulawasaikabara 1. Swayam Gurung 2. Rory Rennie 3. Sudhir Gurung 4. Eddie Vakaloloma 5. Leo Rees 6. Regam Bura 7. Taylor Morrison-Smith 8. Archie Mcculloch

Replacements: 16. Lewis Ferguson 17. Maxwell Charlesworth-Smith 18. Liam Melville 19. Tobias Campbell

St Columba’s

15. Freddie MacFeate 14. Lorne Rawson 13. Rory McLean 12. Aron Hamilton 11. Harry Brodlie 10. Archie Thomson CAPTAIN 9. Struan Brooksbank 1. Scott McGhee 2. Finn Anderson 3. Kieran McNicol (wearing 32) 4. Crispin Moore 5. Malcolm Dallas-Davies 6. Cameron Kean 7. Charlie Dunnet 8. Max Potter

Replacements:  16. Ethan Hart (wearing 33) 17. Blair Chalk 18. Callum Ashby 19. Oliver Madden 20. James Madden 21. Kruze Leitch 22. Dudley Haugh (wearing 30)

An enthralling end-to-end Under-18 Cup final was won by a classy Stewart’s Melville College 28-24 in the rain at Scottish Gas Murrayfield.

Merchiston Castle mounted a significant comeback in the second half, keeping the winners scoreless, while scoring twice to make the last 15 minutes nervy for both sides. But ultimately it was the team in red who claimed the honours and were handed the Cup by former pupil and newly-capped Scotland international Freddy Douglas.

Stewart’s Melville kicked off towards the North Stand, and after a period of pressure, the ball was thumped clear into touch by Merchiston.

Callum Jessop was the first player to trouble the scoreboard, as he crashed over the whitewash on the right-hand side. Captain Howie Offord nailed the conversion too, putting Stewart’s Melville seven points clear in the opening stages. (7-0)

Again, the scoreboard ticked over inside of six minutes when James Dalrymple picked up a low offload from 5m out to fall over the line. Offord added the extras too, putting the team in red two converted tries clear. (14-0)

A period of pressure in exchange saw Merchiston edge nearer and nearer, until all of a sudden centre Luca Mathieson caught – and re-caught – a clever pass and closed the gap to seven, as his try was converted by Jake Dalziel. (14-7)

A tap and go on the 5m line saw Stewart’s Melville have to defend staunchly, but not well enough. Zander McTaggart slid under a tackler to score Merchiston’s second try. The conversion was good from Dalziel and the scores went level after 22 minutes. (14-14)

A high tackle from Dalziel then made him see yellow on 29 minutes. Stewart’s Melville heaped on the pressure from the resulting penalty, and the ball crossed the line, but was held up. The pressure paid off though, as Mark Berroya crashed over through some tired looking defence with three minutes remaining in the half. Offord converted the try, and their seven-point lead was restored. (21-14)

A dummy half snipe from Leo Munro and subsequent break from Berroya led to prop James Page running in untouched to bag Stewart’s Melville’s fourth try – and the pick of the evening. Offord converted again, giving the team in red a 14-point lead on the stroke of half time. (28-14)

Half time: Stewart’s Melville 28 – 14 Merchiston Castle

The beginning of the second half didn’t live up to the energy of the end of the first, with penalties and knock-ons the theme of the first 10 minutes.

But that theme quickly evaporated when, in a moment of ingenuity, Merchiston’s Zach Mathieson picked the ball cleanly and pounced over the line in the left-hand corner. Dalziel couldn’t convert though. 48 minutes gone. (28-19)

And Merchiston struck again shortly after. A chip and chase from Dalziel saw play open up on the right for a cross-field kick, which Ben Sharman grubbered on and collected to cross over and pick up Merchiston’s fourth – Dalziel couldn’t add the extras though on the 53^rd minute. (28-24)

With time ticking down quickly, Merchiston went searching for an answer – probing the Stewart’s Melville defence. But some desperate defence Leo Munro did everything possible and more, to keep in a sure 50-20 and keep Merchiston out of his 22.

As the timer ticked over 70 minutes, a scrum packed down with Merchiston to feed. A hopeful cross-field kick was laced just a little too far and over the head of the outstretched winger. Full time was blown and Stewart’s Melville crowned Under-18 Scottish champions.

Full time: Stewart’s Melville 28 – 24 Merchiston Castle

Match officials:
Referee: Rob McDowell
AR1: David Young
AR2: Willie Anderson

Player of the Match: Callum Jessop (Stewart’s Melville)