Opening Weekend Delivers as 2026/27 Season Gets Underway
31 Aug 2026All eyes were on Myreside on Friday night as George Watson’s College and Boroughmuir went head-to-head in the opening fixture of the Boys’ U18s Open Competition.
As the first Scottish Rugby Match of the Week, streamed live on Scottish Rugby’s YouTube, the clash between the two sides certainly lived up to the occasion, with little to separate the teams across an enthralling 80 minutes.
It was Boroughmuir who opened strongly, with a charge-down kick seeing Cammie Tabb open the scoring with just 22 seconds on the clock. However, that proved to be Boroughmuir’s only score of the first half, as the Watson’s pack gradually took control. A period of powerful forward phases saw the hosts establish a 14-5 half-time advantage.
The visitors continued to challenge after the break, with both sides enjoying periods of possession and creating opportunities in a closely fought encounter. Boroughmuir struggled to gain any worthwhile territory until the hour mark, but a well-worked try, featuring swift handling from replacement Jackson Bodsworth and a finish from winger Henry Macrae, set up a final 10 minutes of end-to-end play.
George Watson’s defence proved a match for Boroughmuir’s ambitious attacking play, and it was the home side who ultimately secured a deserved 21-12 victory
Elsewhere on the opening weekend of the Boys’ U18s Open Competition, hosts Ayr got their Pool B campaign off to a winning start at Millbrae, edging out Stirling County in an entertaining contest. Despite Stirling County enjoying more of the possession, Ayr proved more clinical in attack, crossing for six tries to County’s five on their way to a 42-33 victory.
Over in Edinburgh, newcomers Edinburgh Academy faced GHA, who were also taking to the field in the competition for the first time. The hosts proved too strong for their visitors from the west, running in seven tries to GHA’s two. Edinburgh Academy controlled much of the possession and turned that pressure into points, running out 43-12 winners and making an impressive start to their campaign.
The final fixture of the opening weekend saw Erskine Stewart Melville welcome Marr Rugby in another Pool B encounter. The hosts made a confident start to their campaign, putting in an impressive attacking display as they crossed the whitewash eight times to secure a convincing 50-22 victory.
Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership
The Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership also kicked off this weekend, with Ayr beginning their title defence against Watsonians at Millbrae. Despite Watsonians putting up a strong challenge, the defending champions opened their campaign in much the same style as they finished last season, securing a 31-10 victory and claiming a bonus-point win.
Along the road at Braidholm, visitors Melrose were on the scoresheet after just three minutes, setting the tone for the first half. Melrose went into the break with a 29-12 lead, but GHA fought back after the interval to set up a nerve-wracking finish. Melrose were forced to defend their own line in the closing stages, but held on to claim a dramatic 34-31 victory. Both sides took home valuable bonus points, which could prove vital as the season progresses.
It was a tough day on the road for Hawick, who travelled to Goldenacre to face Heriot’s. The hosts made a flying start to their Arnold Clark Premiership campaign, running out 80-13 winners over the men in green. Although it is still early days, Heriot’s have certainly laid down an early marker with an impressive opening performance.
Down at Poynder Park, Kelso dominated the forward exchanges against newly promoted Edinburgh Accies, with Kelso veteran Bruce McNeil scoring a hat-trick of tries to help secure a 41-21 victory in front of an entertained and delighted Poynder Park audience.
Currie also enjoyed a productive trip west to face Glasgow Hawks, eventually running out comfortable 45-5 winners. Despite Glasgow Hawks crossing the whitewash first, Currie quickly took control and spent much of the afternoon in the hosts’ half. The Balgray spectators were treated to a series of tries from the visitors as Currie travelled home with a convincing victory.
If the opening weekend of both competitions is anything to go by, we are in for an entertaining season and plenty of rugby still to come. Attention now turns to next weekend, when the Arnold Clark Women’s Premiership gets underway and Heriot’s and Currie go head-to-head in the next Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership fixture to feature as Scottish Rugby’s Match of the Week.
