Cambuslang RFC won the club’s first national final at Scottish Gas Murrayfield with a 53-33 victory against Biggar RFC in the U16 Girls Youth Cup Final.

A dominant six-try to one performance in the second half saw the west region side beat defending champions Biggar in a hugely entertaining match which was a great advert for the girl’s game.

Biggar scored the opening try in the first two minutes following a blindside break in the Cambuslang 22 by fly-half Sophie Mellanby and finished by centre Emma Wylie. Winger Jenna Johnson converted.

The Borders team struck again four minutes later through full-back Neve Murray after slick backline passes, converted by Sophie Mellanby.

Cambuslang rallied and showed good composure to get on the scoreboard after 11minutes after a tap penalty in the Biggar 22, finished by number 8 and captain Gemma Gordon. The conversion was unsuccessful.

The west-based team were now showing more accuracy as the half wore on and scored again after a strong carry by forward Lois Gall saw the ball go through hands to winger Rose Scott who finished.  Conversion was unsuccessful.

Each side exchanged converted tries with Biggar flyer Neve Murray and Cambuslang winger Rose Scott both doubling their tallies, as the half drew to a close. Biggar ended more with the short range effort by number 8 Eve Hamilton saw them take a nine point lead.

Half time: Cambuslang 26-17 Biggar

The second half saw Cambuslang grab control of the game from the outset with a surging run from inside centre Lucy Symon setting the tone.

Symon’s break took Cambuslang deep into Biggar’s half and after a number of phases winger Maia O’Donnell wriggled her way to the line to score. A missed conversion meant there was still a lead to chase down.

Biggar though fought back and won a penalty inside the Cambuslang 22 which saw their attack ended in a knock on.

From the scrum Cambuslang broke out and only a try saving tackle from full-back Neve Murray halted their progress. Back to back penalties against Biggar which were tapped and carried by Cambuslang maintained the pressure and eventually winger Rose Scott found space out-wide to finish to score her hat-trick try.

This gave the west team the lead for the first time on 40 minutes but the defending champions responded immediately with a try of their own from centre Beth Baillie, converted by Emma Wyllie.

From there Cambuslang seized control of the game with a dogged determination at the breakdown, good ball retention and clinical finishing.

Eleanor Keenan scored the first of the four unanswered final tries following a turnover from the restart. Hollie Mae Cowan slotted the first of her three conversions.

Phoebe Forrest powered over shortly after from a tap penalty on 50 minutes, Cowan converted.

Number 8 Gemma Gordon got her second try five minutes later, again after a turnover, with Cowan adding the extras.

The game was finally wrapped up again after multiple phases from Cambuslang were finished off with the last of their nine tries through Lucy Symon.

Full-Time: Cambuslang 53 – 33 Biggar

Referee: Allana McLean
AR1: Lee-Anne Steel
AR2: Victoria Lindsay-McGee

Player of the Match: Rose Scott (Cambuslang RFC)

Stirling County centre Heather Wood got the U16 Girls Shield Final underway in the shadow of Scottish Gas Murrayfield earlier this morning.

Despite some strong running from Dundee in the opening minutes of the game the first score came when County’s winger (and skipper) Aoife Powrie-Smith broke free from a tackle well inside her 22 and ran the length of the pitch to score the first try of the game. The conversion was successful from her stand-off Hannah Blair.

Dundee hit back only moments later thanks to a super score by their powerful centre Juliet Ramsay to make it a two-point game.

Before the half-time whistle Stirling County pulled away and asserted their dominance thanks to three back-to-back tries by centre Niamh Ogg, hooker Feorlin Renton and full-back Zoe Campbell, two of which were converted by Wood.

Half-Time: Stirling County 26-5 Dundee

In the opening exchanges of the second-half it was all Dundee thanks to three super scores. The first came from centre Ramsay again, the second by stand-off Esme Hughes who converted her own and the third by number 8 Keira Bell – Hughes’ conversion agonisingly bouncing off the posts.

With the score now Stirling County 26-20 Dundee there was only a score in it until Stirling’s scrum-half and Player of the Match Leah Sinclair skipped passed defenders well within her own half to race the length of the pitch and score which would seal the victory for them thanks to a successful conversion by Wood.

Despite two last minute tries by Dundee’s outside centre Keevah Molloy it wasn’t enough as agonisingly one of Wood’s tries once again bounced off the post despite one also being successful.

Whilst Dundee tried their best to mount a comeback it wasn’t to be as Stirling County were able to hold on to their powerful half-time lead.

Full-time: Stirling County 33 v 32 Dundee

Match Officials
Ref: Sophie Tougher-Mitchell
AR1: Jess Butler
AR2: Lee Murru

Player of the Match: Leah Sinclair (Stirling County)

Blustery and at times soggy conditions saw Peebles snatch a 40 – 33 victory over West of Scotland in the Under-18 Boys Shield final at Hive Stadium.

Peebles’ three game winning streak leading into this match took a while to show, but when they kicked into gear saw them score five tries in a row to seal the match in style.

Peebles kicked off towards the Murrayfield end and it was Matthew Farndon in the blue and white stripes to strike first. A series of penalties saw Peebles work downfield, and a lineout set piece fell to Farndon who dove over for the first points of the match. Captain Liam Irvine converted to give the Borderers a seven-point lead. (Peebles 7 – 0 West of Scotland, 10 mins)

An immediate strike back though from West of Scotland as Callum Cairns dotted down just a minute after Farndon’s try. Christian Ward lined up the conversion but it went astray. (7 – 5, 11 mins)

A stellar Rory Caldwell break saw West of Scotland take the lead as he broke down the wing and stepped his way to the line, making for an easy conversion for Ward. (7 – 12, 17 mins)

A yellow card was brandished for Max Dunford after he batted down a pass to stop a certain try. It didn’t stop Peebles though, who rammed their way over with Cameron Grant. Irvine couldn’t convert. (12 – 12, 25 mins)

Finlay Semple came on for an injured Rory Kaye, and made an immediate impact when he collected a kick over the top and sped away to the try line. Irvine converted for a seven-point lead. (12 – 19, 29 mins)

Caldwell hit straight back for Peebles when his fly half was stopped a metre short of the line. Caldwell picked and drove over the line for a simple try. Ward lined up from a tight angle and converted on the stroke of half time. (12 – 26, HT)

Half time: Peebles 12 – 26 West of Scotland

Shortly after half time Peebles struck again – Farndon notching his second for the day. Successfully converted by fly-half Irvine. (19 – 26, 40 mins)

Tap and goes led Peebles back into the match as Cameron Grant crashed over from short range to put the Borderers right back into the match. Irvine knocked over the conversion for a tied match. (26 – 26, 56 mins)

Findlay Boak crossed over the line for Peebles but it was held up and West of Scotland had to drop out from their line. It was charged down though and Peebles were right back on the line. Some quick hands out to the left saw Ewan Miller cross over with 10 minutes to go. Irvine converted from the touchline. (33 – 26, 60 mins)

Ryan Glen was sent to the sin bin for West of Scotland for repeated infringements. William Hamilton was the beneficiary of more play right on West’s line as he crossed over for another try. Irvine converted again and the lead stretched to two converted tries. (40 – 26, 65 mins)

A final flourish from West of Scotland saw Rory Kaye cross over and make the last two minutes jittery for Peebles. Ward converted to make the margin just seven. (40 – 33, 68 mins)

A final penalty to the blue and white saw the game come to a close and Peebles Under-18 Shield winners at Hive Stadium.

Full time: Peebles 40 – 33 West of Scotland

Match Officials:
Referee: Dan Evans
AR1: Lee McWhinnie
AR2: Sean Mallon

Player of the Match: Matthew Farndon (Peebles)

Boroughmuir won an enthralling U16 Cup final against Currie Chieftains at Hive Stadium in a game which could have gone either way throughout.

The standard from both sides was exceptional, with the Meggetland outfit’s persistent goal-kicking proving the difference between two teams with talent in abundance.

Boroughmuir’s backs got their side on the scoreboard first with a sweeping left-to-right move. Ryan James’ excellent 50:22 got his side five metres out, and when the driving maul was repelled Archie Stewart found Hamish Kirkpatrick to score in the corner.

A street-smart snipe to the left of a midfield ruck from James Waller put Currie on the backfoot again, but they raced back and won a jackal penalty at the breakdown to escape.

With the Chieftains penalised for going off their feet in search of another jackal, James opted to use the strong wind at his back to go for goal from just under 40 metres out in front of the posts. Every last inch of the ball’s travel through the air counted, and it had just enough to get over the crossbar for three.

But it was soon Currie’s turn to be alert at the side of ruck, with Finlay Struthers spotting a gap to his left and racing the final 10 metres to score untouched and get his side off the mark.

Both sides’ effort to entertain could not be faulted, the ball in play and being ran with whenever possible, but as Currie searched for a try to take the lead just before the interval it was spilled forward at the vital moment and the half came to an end.

Half time: Currie Chieftains 5-8 Boroughmuir 

Boroughmuir were afforded another chanced to go for the sticks early in the second half as the Chieftains strayed offside. This time it was Stewart who stepped up from left of the posts in the 22, and it was the same result as the ball dissected the posts.

Currie took the lead for the first time shortly after. Blair Smith was felled just short of the line on the right side, and he offloaded from the ground up to Hamish Grant. Boroughmuir battled to hold him up and the referee had to examine the scene closely, but the try was good and Grant converted it himself to put the Chieftains a point up.

But the lead changed hands again with Chieftains pinged for a high tackle, and Stewart taking the opportunity to slot another kick from a similar place, if slightly closer, to his first.

Another high tackled was penalised with quarter of an hour left to play, and again it was Stewart from left of the posts as Boroughmuir went five up.

Currie thought they had levelled with a try in the left corner as the forwards fought for the final inches when a penalty was kicked to the corner, but the assistant referee spotted a double movement and Boroughmuir instead escaped.

Though Boroughmuir knocked on from a tap and go penalty 10 metres out to spur an excellent chance, they soon got another when Currie were offside. Stewart continued his flawless kicking from the tee.

The Chieftains were next to get a penalty for offside, and from a similar position to James’ penalty in the first half, and with the wind also helping, Grant fired a kick the required 40 metres and more to bring his side an unconverted try away with three minutes left.

From the kick off Currie tried to run it the length. There was knock ons, turnovers from both sides and a penalty to Borughmuir with the clock in the red, and Boroughmuir held on to win a truly excellent contest.

Full time: Currie Chieftains 15-20 Boroughmuir

Player of the Match: Caiden MacRae (Boroughmuir)

The first points came to Dumfries from a stolen lineout deep in Cambuslang’s 22. From the next phase Amy Vance worked her way in from the left, throwing defenders out of her way until she crashed under the posts.

Cambuslang crossed the line in the 20^th minute, but Dumfries’ forwards reacted well to the danger and held the ball up.

With both sides temporarily reduced to 14, Dumfries got over the line again. Skyla Smith was brought down just short but with quick presence of mind she offloaded to Islay McKenzie-Wilson who finished off a solid team effort.

A third soon followed. Carla Nicholson tore down the right wing before being stopped, but the ball was then worked out to the left where Gemma Todd scored in the corner.

And a fourth again was quick in coming. From a tap penalty Maison Dunn broke free, and it went out to the left once more where Smith went from provider to scorer.

Dumfries were showing their physicality across the park, and Mika Walls battled through the middle before Dunn raced clear and under the posts for a fifth.

There was just time for a sixth before the break, as McKenzie-Wilson raced down the left hand side for her second.

Half time: Dumfries 36-0 Cambuslang

The scoring pattern continued at the start of the second half, Rhianna Bodle rounding the defender from 10 metres out to score.

And the scoring was completed when Maison Dunn ran round the defence on the right and under the posts.

Full time: Dumfries 50-0 Cambuslang

As per competitions rules, the match ended at the 50-point scoreline. The match continued as a friendly, where Dumfries continued to wrack up the tries and Louisa Kaven scored a deserved score for Cambuslang with the final play.

Player of the match: Islay McKenzie-Wilson (Dumfries)

A four-try first half from Peebles saw them defeat Stirling County, who narrowed the gap in the second half but couldn’t quite do enough, in the Boys’ U16 Shield final.

Peebles were quick to open the scoring through their openside flanker Sam Brown. The conversion, however, missed.

It wasn’t long until the forwards were back across this time through their tighthead Brian O’Hare.

Peebles soon were over again through Oran Britton. This time the conversion from Andrew Black was a good one.

Today’s player of the match, Ben Rainey scored his first of the day and Black’s conversion was a success to close out the half.

HALF-TIME: Peebles 24 – 0 Stirling County

Stirling County came out firing in the second half and Justin Davidson popped across the whitewash from close range to get their scoreboard ticking. George Martin kicked a successful conversion.

Peebles’ Brown was then shown a yellow card for a dangerous tackle.

After, Rainey scored another try, the conversion missed.

Stirling responded with a try from Sean Torkington, Martin’s conversion successful.

Peebles had the last score of the game with a short range try from Sam Brown and this time the conversion was scored by Toru Keen.

An injury to a Stirling County player brought the game to an early close, with Peebles the deserved winners.

FULL-TIME: Peebles 36 – 14 Stirling County

Referee:  Angus Healy

Assistant Referees: Lee McWhinnie and Digby Thomas

Player of the match: Ben Rainey (Peebles)

Stirling County RFC beat rivals Biggar RFC 25-12 in the U18s Girls Youth Cup Final at Scottish Gas Murrayfield.

In a rematch of the 2023 U18 Girls Youth Cup final over 20 players, from across both teams, returned for a consecutive year in the showpiece game.

Stirling ran in four second half tries in a closely fought and competitive match.

There was a nervous start from both teams which saw a series of early scrums as neither side were able to get a foothold in the game through a mix of handling errors and stout defence, with a repeat of last year’s 50-plus point game looking unlikely.

Stirling County opened the scoring on 15 minutes after they enjoyed a period of continuity in the Biggar 22 which was eventually exploited by centre Emma Anderson who burst through the defence to score under the posts. Anderson went on to be awarded Player of the Match.

Biggar though charged down the conversion to limit Stirling to just five points, which they held until the break.

The final minutes of the first half saw each team reduced to 14 after a pair of yellow cards were shown. Firstly, to County’s number eight Gemma Thomson for a dangerous tackle and shortly after to Biggar prop Lilly Clarkson for offside at a ruck respectively.

Half-time Stirling County RFC 5 – 0 Biggar RFC

The second half saw Stirling County begin to make inroads behind a committed Biggar defence.

The Borders side won a turnover penalty close to their line and decided to run from deep, but a turnover gave Stirling a chance to put the ball through hands and Kiera Forrest went over to score. Try was not converted.

Kiera Forrest scored her second try eight minutes later after a series of penalties pushed Biggar back in their own 22 and the centre was on hand to exploit an overlap and cross the line. Try was not converted.

Whilst behind on the scoreboard Biggar remained in the match throughout and they quickly registered their first points of the match.

A rapid break from centre Robyn Allan supported by full-back Eve Storie made inroads in the Stirling County half which drew a penalty. A quick tap took the attack forward through a strong carry by Holly Wilson. From a subsequent ruck stand-off Niamh Waters took the ball at pace and dived in to score. Niamh converted her own try.

Stirling County struck back almost immediately. Biggar conceded a penalty from the restart followed by a knock-on which gave Stirling an advantage into the Biggar 22 which was finished by prop Ella Rae. Try was not converted.

Biggar second row Holly Wilson featured again in their second try linking well with scrum-half Skye Anderson in a series of phases which were finished with a darting run from back-row Caitlin Hoad. Try was not converted.

The next score could prove decisive as the clock ticked down and it was Stirling County who capitalised. Biggar again showed their attacking intent from deep in their own half, but a knock-on gave Stirling a scrum 10m out from their line.

A well-executed first phase play saw full-back Scarlett Haddow score with just four minutes remaining, which Stirling successfully saw out to secure the win.

Full time Score Stirling County RFC 25 – 12 Biggar RFC

Referee – Bea Casares Fernandez, AR1 Sophie Tougher-Mitchell, AR2 Lee-Anne Steel

Player of the Match – Emma Anderson (Stirling County)

Stirling County won the Under-18s National Youth Cup with a stellar five try display in a 36 – 24 win over Currie Chieftains at Scottish Gas Murrayfield.

County’s inside centre Beau Kesson was named player of the match after he bagged a try and contributed to his team’s chances by breaking the line a number of times.

Currie kicked off attacking towards the North stand and immediately put Stirling under pressure, catching them not releasing in the tackle, and earned the game’s first lineout on Currie’s 22.

The first incursion of the match came from an early Jacob Dunlop break which put Currie on Stirling’s 5m line, but desperate defence saw a penalty given for holding on and Stirling were let off the hook early doors.

Arran Pollock then broke the deadlock when he picked up a pop pass and cantered in near the posts to put Stirling on the board, nine minutes in. Fly half Eoin O Cinneide added the extras. (Stirling 7 – 0 Currie, 9 mins)

Currie pushed straight back and almost went over when Andrew Evans picked and went down the blindside towards the corner flag. Stirling defence stood tall though and won a penalty in the tackle.

An amazing attempt in the corner from Pollock but he just ran out of room and was ushered into touch as he dove toward the corner flag by resolute Currie defending.

Stirling doubled their lead through captain Daniel Casserly when a tap and go was popped to him and he crashed over from close range. O Cinneide added the extras. (14 – 0, 22 mins)

Currie snapped straight back though through a series of phases down the left when the ball was thrown from winger Connor Wilson to scrum half David Bryden and into the grateful hands of captain Ruairi Bruce, who did well to reach over and touchdown. Bryden took the conversion from wide out and just missed to the right. (14 – 5, 24 mins)

Stirling added another when Cameron Ainsworth threw a wide pass to Pollock, who managed to offload to O Cinneide who had appeared on the wing to score an acrobatic finish. He took his own conversion but it just fell short. (19 – 5, 28 mins)

It was end-to-end stuff though when Currie nabbed their second try of the night through full back Matthew Murray. Bryden popped a short ball out to the right, and after it went through another pair of hands in contact, Murray touched down out wide. Bryden struck the conversion attempt well but it fell away. (19 – 10, 31 mins)

A minute before the end of the first half, Stirling surged towards Currie’s line and prop Angus Wright touched down for the red and white’s fourth try of the night. O Cinneide obliged by adding the extras. (26 – 10, 34 mins)

Half time: Stirling County 26 – 10 Currie Chieftains

The action started again straight away in the second stanza when O Cinneide snapped a 50-22 kick to set up his side for a promising attack.

Stirling were dominant in the lineouts, and won a few against the throw, thwarting Currie’s repeated attacks into their 22.

And with ball in hand, they looked like scoring with every touch. And in the 54^th minute, they broke through again. This time through Kesson, who ran a fantastic line off O Cinneide and scythed through the Currie defence to score County’s fifth try. O Cinneide converted to extend the lead to 21 with 16 minutes to play. (31 – 10, 54 mins)

But Currie struck straight back two minutes later. A simple pop pass from Bryden saw replacement Fiachra McCarthy slink under a County tackle and dive under the posts for County’s third. Bryden nailed the conversion this time. (31 – 17, 56 mins)

Resolute Stirling defence kept Currie out from adding a fourth, just minutes later, after conceding repeated infringements on their line. A big let off for the team in red and white.

But they could only keep them out for so long. A line break from Evans saw the ball spun through the hands, and out to Jack McLay, who dived over in the corner to close the gap. A brilliant attempt from Bryden added the extra two from the touchline. (31 – 24, 62 mins)

With two minutes left on the clock, Stirling added the icing to an outstanding cake when, after a linebreak, the ball was sent wide and into the hands of hooker Connor Ward, who crashed over in the left-hand corner with three Currie players still hanging on him. Lewis Roskilly attempted the conversion but it went just wide. (36 – 24, 68 mins)

And that was that. Stirling’s fast start and attacking onslaught was too much for Currie and they ran out rightful winners of the U18 Cup.

Full time: Currie Chieftains 24 – 36 Stirling County

Match Officials:
Referee: John Smith
AR1: Gordon Galashan
AR2: Willie Anderson

Player of the Match: Beau Kesson (Stirling County).