Stewart’s Melville snatch victory at the death against Dollar
An enthusiastic crowd turned out in their numbers to watch the Scottish Rugby U18 Schools’ Cup final on BT Murrayfield’s international pitch on Wednesday evening between Stewart’s Melville College and Dollar Academy.Both teams were eager to build momentum in the early stages of the match, but Dollar overpowered Stewart’s Melville in the battle to get over the whitewash first; with flanker Reece McAllister barging over the line after nine minutes and full-back Ben McIlwraith adding the extras. Stewart’s Melville refused to let this phase them and began playing an expansive game which soon paid off as winger Jacob Lineen whizzed over the try line for the Edinburgh-based side’s first score of the match. As the half-time mark approached, it was apparent how evenly matched the two squads were as Dollar impressed in attack to secure another try. The score began to seesaw as both teams repeatedly fought back and Dollar’s try was met with another from Stewart’s Melville’s Lineen, his second of the match. Dollar weren’t finished however, and after several hard worked phases, lock Jonathan Davies overcame three defenders in his dash for the posts which he touched down and was successfully converted by McIlwraith to take reach half-time.U18 Schools’ Cup Final half-time: Stewart’s Melville College 10-17 Dollar Academy As the second-half kicked off, Stewart’s Melville were desperate to draw level but their frantic play cost them just a minute into the half as Dollar were given a penalty kick which they took full advantage of. Pulling the score away from Stewart’s Melville, Dollar continued to work hard in attack but let their guard slip in defence allowing Jack Blain space to put his name on the score sheet and take his side another step closer to Dollar. Dollar responded immediately however through winger Charlie Dineen who made the most of good ball inside Stewart’s Melville’s 22, as the atmosphere began to parallel the intense play on show.Two tries weren’t enough for speedy Lineen who found himself over the whitewash once again to secure his hat-trick, and captain Ross Thompson converting to take the teams ever closer. This narrowing gap proved just the boost Stewart’s Melville needed, and as the full-time whistle approached, flanker Connor Boyle scored to put them in the lead ahead of Dollar for the first time in the match.Stewart’s Melville’s lead didn’t last long though as Dollar scored their fifth try of the game which was converted by McIlwraith to bring the score to 29-32 as they entered the last minutes of the final.Dollar were confident they had secured the fixture with less than a minute to go before the final whistle sounded, but Stewart’s Melville took advantage of their early celebrations and dug deep – their attack was strong and unrelenting, which Dollar struggled to keep up with and eventually couldn’t hold back, and the opportunity for them to score opened up.Front-row Rory O’Hara grounded the ball to steal the win which was cemented by Thompson to conquer Dollar 36-32 in an all-round exciting match which saw evenly matched performances from both sides. U18 Schools’ Cup Final full-time: 36-32Man of the match: Connor BoyleReferee: David Sunderland Scottish Rugby U18 Schools’ Cup Final Stewart’s Melville College: Findlay Smith; Jack Blain, Cameron Symes, Robbie McPherson, Jacob Lineen; Ross Thompson CAPTAIN, Cameron MacDonald; Thomas Petiau, Edward Kelman, Rory O’Hara, Findlay McIlwraith, Chris Murchison, Ben Dollery, Connor Boyle, Callum Row Berry. Replacements: Nathan Brown, Patrick Ritchie, Francis Fraser, Angus Douglas, Ronan Mountford-Smith, Toby Hughes.Dollar Academy: Ben McIlwraith; Charlie Dineen, Fergus Fitzpatrick, Amodio Citro, Sam Smith; Grant Hughes, Gus War; Moray Sharpe, Angus Cooper CAPTAIN, Euan McLaren, Joel Skipper, Jonathan Davies, Reece McAllister, Gordon McGregor, Lachlan Peterson. Replacements: Findlay Bennett, Rory Power, Hamish Neil, Lachlan Kelly, Jordan Miller, Jamie Price. Scottish Rugby Schools’ Cup Finals RESULTS U18 Cup: Stewart’s Melville College 36-32 Dollar AcademyU18 Shield: Glenalmond College 19-36 Strathallan SchoolU18 Plate: High School of Glasgow 18-23 Hutchesons’ Grammer SchoolU18 Bowl: Morrison’s Academy 39-15 Bell Baxter High SchoolU16 Cup: Strathallan School 3-10 St Aloysius’ College U16 Shield: George Watson’s College 31-27 Glenalmond CollegeU16 Plate: Earlston High School 26-12 High School of GlasgowU16 Bowl: Lomond & Helensburgh 26-31 Hutchesons’ Grammar School
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