County add U18 National Youth League Cup to season success

Stirling County pushed past Ayr 22-10 in the U18 National Youth League Cup Final on Friday night after a valiant second-half display proved too strong for the Millbrae youth. County, this season’s President’s Conference winners, looked most promising in the early stages with several attacks penetrating the Ayr defence in the 22 and a potential score looming.An awarded penalty presented Kieran Gammie with the opportunity to claim the first points, however the full-back pushed his attempt wide of the posts.Both sides continued to search for the upper hand but were unable to convert possession into tries as Ross McCorkindale’s dangerous inside ball to Cameron Black was called forward on the Ayr attack.County continued to utilise a strong forward pack when securing field position and it wasn’t long before a penalty, awarded in front of the sticks, was converted by Gammie to give the Bridgehaugh youth the lead.Half-time: Ayr 0-3 Stirling CountyAyr came out firing after the interval with wingers James Baird and Rory McMurray getting on the end of effective ball spun out wide, while centre Jack Gaw missed a tricky three points.County found themselves in position to counter shortly after, with second-row Cameron Keys and winger Cameron Hill combining in the 22 and Hill providing the pass to the impressive Wallace Nelson.The number 8 showed great pace to go over in the corner and Gammie added the extras with the boot to claim a 10-0 lead after 48 minutes.County out-half Jonathan Ross then went on the break, and with effective timing from Andrew McLean, the centre made his way over in the opposite corner to cement their hold on the game in the 53rd minute.Ayr responded almost immediately, prop Logan Richardson barged over before Gaw nailed an important penalty from the left.Replacement Craig Hunter looked threatening for Ayr and a penalty eventually presented itself, Gaw stepping up and securing to go within a try of the leaders in the 63rd minute.However, just as Ayr looked to be in a position to snatch victory, County flanker Cameron Blakemore cantered over after several drives from the forwards ebbed away at the pink and blacks.Gammie added the points with the boot, just as he did in the first-half, and County triumphed to finished off a winning youth season in style.County Head Coach, Matt McGrandles, said: “We came to Murrayfield expecting nothing else but a hard game from Ayr, we tried to play our usual game plan and they managed to suss us out.However, when we moved forward in the second-half, glimmers of hope started to show and tries came from that, so we’re very happy and I’m very proud of the boys.”Full-time: Ayr 10-22 Stirling CountyReferee: Ian KennyPlayer of the Match: Kieran Gammie (Stirling County) National Youth League Cup U18 FinalAyr: James Baird; Rory McMurray, Jack Gaw, Harry Lynch, Mac McInnes; Ross McCorkindale,Cameron Black; Logan Richardson, Seth Rae, Craig Miller, Euan Hamilton, Declan Bryce, Mitchell Wyllie, Calum Gaw, Cameron Reece.Replacements: Stuart Collier, Jack Yuille, Calvin Stillie, Jack Burns, Kerr Borland, Jack Rennie, Craig Hunter.Stirling County: Kieran Gammie; Cameron Hill, Andrew McLean, James Gibson CAPTAIN, Tommy Johnston, Jonathan Ross, Aidan Riddick, Connor Clark, Bryce Robertson, Ross Murray, Cameron Keys, Ross Bundy, Cameron Blakemore, Donald McLaren, Wallace Nelson. Replacements: Fraser Muir, Lachlan MacKay, Andrew Rutherford, Derek Sneddon, Craig Jardine, Adam Shaw, James Manners.