BT Cup Finals Preview: Blairgowrie & Portobello contest BT Bowl

Blairgowrie and Portobello will contest this season’s BT Men’s Bowl final on the international pitch at BT Cup Finals Day (kick-off 11am). Blairgowrie’s road to the final saw them defeat Dundee Medics in the BT Midlands Bowl final to go through to the BT National Bowl semi-final and edge out Strathendrick with a try in the final play of the game to secure their place at BT Cup Finals Day.The North Perthshire club finished fourth in a competitive league to round off a satisfying season in BT Caledonia League Division Two.Blairgowrie captain, Andy McOuat, said: “Making it to the Midlands Bowl final for the first time since 1995 was fantastic and sent us on our way. Our coaches have really pushed us this season, which the players have reacted extremely well too, and everyone is really enjoying being part of this squad.”We have a great mix of youth and experience in the squad, which has stood us in good stead over the season with everyone getting on well and pushing each other to strive and play better. “The number of people joining us at the final will be over 500, which for a small town like Blairgowrie and its surrounding areas, is absolutely unprecedented.For all of us, this will be an experience to remember, walking out on the hallowed turf at BT Murrayfield, a last hurrah for some of our older players and potentially the start of a great career for the younger members of the squad, but no matter what it will be a great day for players and supporters alike.”Portobello’s route to BT Murrayfield included an impressive victory over RDVC in the BT East Region Bowl to go through to the national competition’s knock-out stages. The coastal club then went on to overcome Moray in a tight away contest 17-11 to secure their place at BT Cup Finals Day.Portobello finished second in BT East Region League Two this season and are looking forward to the experience of running out onto the international pitch of the national stadium.Portobello captain, Chris Britee-Steer, said: “We are all very excited about playing on the main stage at BT Murrayfield in front of our supporters, who have been fantastic this season.”Former Scotland international, Bruce Douglas, joined us as a guest coach during our training preparations and we have worked well as a team this week to make sure we are ready to go for the final.There will have been 30-40 boys involved throughout the course of the season with only the match-day squad selected for the final, but everyone is really looking forward to it and is backing the team to come away with silverware.”We are a very close-knit group of players who work for one another across all areas, hopefully this will lead us to victory on Saturday.” BT Cup Finals Day, Saturday 22 April, BT Murrayfield International Pitch:BT Men’s Bowl Final: Blairgowrie v Portobello (11am)Sarah Beaney Cup: Murrayfield Wanderers v Hillhead / Jordanhill (1.15pm)BT Cup Final: Melrose v Ayr (3.30pm)BT Men’s Shield Final: Murrayfield Wanderers v Carrick (5.45pm)Back Pitches:BT Women’s Plate Final: Stirling County v Stewartry (11am)BT Women’s Bowl Final: Kirkcaldy v Garioch (11am) Tickets cost£10 for adults and£5 for U18 and senior citizens with clubs receiving a commission for any tickets purchased which are associated with their club. Read all about the other BT Cup Finals here.