REPORT | Caledonia battle back to win BT Sport Academy U17 title

Caledonia U17 have won the BT Sport Academy U17 Championships final by securing a 26-17 win over the Borders & East Lothian U17 on the 4G pitch at Netherdale yesterday (11 April).

Edinburgh U17 and Glasgow & the West U17 also battled earlier in the day in the third/fourth place play-offs, drawing 24-24.

Match Play – Wednesday 11 April BT Sports Academy U17 Championship, Netherdale 4G

Edinburgh U17 v Glasgow & the West U17

Two tries from No 8 Rory Jackson and one each for Jordan Craig and Finlay Callaghan alongside conversions by Adam Scott ensured Glasgow was ahead of Edinburgh going into the break.

HT: Edinburgh U17 10-24 Glasgow & the West

Edinburgh bounced back in the second period with tries from Ethan McVicker, Finlay McNeil, Jonathan Roberston and Nathan Moffat, who converted three to go level. Glasgow failed to add to the score-line in the second half and the game ended in a draw.

FT: Edinburgh U17 24-24 Glasgow & the West

Caledonia U17 v the Borders & East Lothian U17

It was the Borders & East Lothian who came out strong in the first-half with tries from Melrose back-row Trystan Andrews and Dunbar Prop Struan Lugtown.

Caledonia captain Josh King scored for his side but Borders maintained their lead into the break.

HT: Caledonia U17 7-12 Borders & East Lothian

The north side battled hard in the second period, trailing 7-17 early into the half after Nathan Sweeney scored for the Borders.

Three unanswered tries in the final 20 minutes from Greg McRae and replacements Jamie Cruickshank and Oliver Kirk put Caledonia ahead and was enough to secure the title.

FT: Caledonia U17 26-17 Borders & East Lothian U17