County and Ayr meet again in National Youth League Cup Final

County and Ayr meet again in National Youth League Cup Final

Stirling County and Ayr will go head-to-head in the National Youth League Cup U18 final on the international pitch at BT Murrayfield this Friday (kick-off 7.30pm). County, defending champions and this year’s President’s Conference winners, will meet their club rivals in what will be a repeat of last year’s final where the youth from Bridgehaugh edged out Ayr 17-12.In the semi-final stages of the competition, County overcame Perthshire in comfortable fashion at home after pushing past Biggar in a competitive quarter-final.Stirling County’s Director of Academy Rugby, John Gibson, said: “We have prepared well for Friday’s final against Ayr with a training game and some testing matches for our semi and quarter-final ties.County are looking forward to playing on the big stage and Ayr are a strong side who we always respect, so we will be confident but not complacent.”There is a real buzz around the club with several boys involved in last year’s U16 team now playing for the U18 side for the first time, and we hope to field our strongest side in the final.”Ayr’s journey to BT Murrayfield featured an impressive semi-final victory over Highland at home after the Millbrae youth toppled Borders opposition, Hawick Wanderers.Ayr U18 Coach, Stewart Fenwick, said: “We are delighted to have reached this year’s final given our disappointment at losing out last time around. The squad have performed well in this year’s President’s Conference, coming runners up to Stirling County, so it will be an exciting game to watch.It really is a special atmosphere at the national stadium and our youth section at the club, along with the supporters, are really looking forward to the occasion.”Ayr will be looking to do the double with their inclusion in the U16 final when they come up against an impressive Hawick Albion outfit after defeating Boroughmuir and Dunfermline in the semi and quarter-finals respectively. Fenwick added: “To win at both age groups on Friday would be a fantastic achievement for all involved, the U16 side have performed well this season having come up against strong opposition.”Ayr U16 Coach, Stephen Field, said: For our small squad we are delighted to have reached the final and to follow in the footsteps of other Ayr U16’s who have reached the same stage in previous seasons. It is a tremendous experience for the boys to play at Murrayfield and one they will relish especially after Scotland’s win against Ireland last Saturday.Let’s hope Hawick and Ayr can entertain the travelling supporters and produce an open game of youth rugby given the forecast for a cold Edinburgh evening.Hawick Albion last won the National Youth League Cup in 2004/5 and make their return to BT Murrayfield following a valiant display over Mackie Academy in the semi-final after sneaking a narrow win against Perthshire in the quarter-final.Hawick Albion Team Manager, Mark Palmer, said: “The team are extremely excited and fired up for the final, there is a real buzz around the club with supporters ready to travel to the capital.Our performance in the quarter-final proved how capable we are, having come back and snatched it with the last play of the game against Perthshire.”The club and the team will be happy whether we lose or draw as it is a fantastic opportunity which the boys will remember for the rest of their lives.  National Youth League Cup Finals, Friday 10 February, BT Murrayfield, FREE entryU16: Ayr v Hawick Albion (kick-off 5.45pm, international pitch)U18: Ayr v Stirling County (kick-off 7.30pm, international pitch) 

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