In the first weekend of the FOSROC Super6 Sprint Series Playoffs, Stirling County beat Ayrshire Bulls by just one point with a last-gasp drop goal (27-26), and Boroughmuir Bears beat Southern Knights for the second time in consecutive weeks at Meggetland (32-14).

FRONT ROW
Lewis Skinner retains his place at prop after a strong showing for Stirling County, particularly in the scrum. This week, his prop partner is Martin McGinley, who was excellent in the loose for Boroughmuir Bears.

One of four teenage hookers at Bears, Jerry Blyth-Lafferty was given his first chance to start and snatched it with both hands. His two-try performance earns him selection.

SECOND ROW
Euan Ferrie was a constant menace in defence for Bears, and carried hard as well. He is joined in the boiler room by Rudi Brown, as without his defensive work for Southern Knights, Bears’ total of two maul tries may well have been higher.

BACK-ROW
For the second week running, our back row picked up two FOSROC Player of the Match awards between them.

Liam McConnell, at only 17, covered every blade of grass for Bears at blindside flanker, winning collisions and securing a ruck penalty for his side on their own line to grab the FOSROC Player of the Match award. Connor Gordon’s physicality alongside his work rate was pivotal for County during some tricky moments for them, and he is selected at openside. Scott McGinley for Bears was unlucky not to join his brother in the team.

At Number 8 is Benedict Grant for the second week running, who also won the FOSROC Player of the Match for the second week running after several strong carries for County.

HALF-BACKS
Cam Jones came off the bench to have a strong showing for Ayrshire Bulls, scoring a try, but it was Sean Kennedy who kept the tempo of County’s attack up throughout the game and created a try which put his side just one point behind.

Fly-half was difficult to pick, with Nathan Chamberlain and Tom Jordan both playing well in defeats for Knights and Bulls respectively, but Marcus Holden created several chances for County and eventually won them the match with a drop-goal and could not be omitted.

CENTRE
It is an all Bulls affair in the centre this week. At inside centre, Andy Stirrat put his side’s backs on the front foot when he was given the ball and always looked dangerous. Robert Beattie is selected for the second week running for his line breaks and an excellent finish for Bulls’ second try.

BACK-THREE
Aaron Tait’s frightening pace and agility earns him a spot on the left wing, while Aidan Cross made several line breaks for Knights and finished off a try with a great line. He was wearing the 14 jersey this week, and as such is selected on the right having been picked on the left last week.

At full-back, Tom Brown tackled everything that ran near him for Bears and even managed to bounce back up from one tackle and win a penalty at the ruck.

FOSROC Super6 Sprint Series Team of the Week | Round 5

15. Tom Brown (Boroughmuir Bears)

14. Aidan Cross (Southern Knights)**
13. Robert Beattie (Ayrshire Bulls)
12. Andy Stirrat (Ayrshire Bulls)**
11. Aaron Tait (Ayrshire Bulls)
10. Marcus Holden (Stirling County)
9. Sean Kennedy (Stirling County)

1. Lewis Skinner (Stirling County)
2.Jerry Blyth-Lafferty (Boroughmuir Bears)**
3. Martin McGinley (Boroughmuir Bears)
4. Euan Ferrie (Boroughmuir Bears)*
5. Rudi Brown (Southern Knights)*
6. Liam McConnell (Boroughmuir Bears)**
8. Benedict Grant (Stirling County)
7. Connor Gordon (Stirling County)

*FOSROC Scottish Rugby Contracted Academy Player
** FOSROC Scottish Rugby Regional Academy Player