Photo: The Offside line
The 2024 Scottish National Schools Cup finals did not disappoint with nail-biting matches, impressive performances and high quality rugby on display. Here is a round up of the action:
U16 Schools Cup Final: A clash involving two heavyweights of Scottish schools rugby saw George Watson's College prevail with a comfortable 34-10 victory over Stewart's Melville College. Watson's were clinical in landing 6 tries, with Aiden Fitzgerald scoring arguably the pick of the bunch after returning a kick and beating 3 defenders to score in the corner.
U16 Schools Plate Final: A tight affair saw High School of Dundee triumph over Hutcheson's Grammar with a 28-24 victory. It was hard to separate the two sides and the lead changed hands five times during the game but ultimately Dundee held on at the end to secure the trophy.
U16 Schools Bowl Final: St Leonards Madras Blues and George Heriot's took part in another tense match in their final which finished 23-14 to the Blues. It was a cagey affair between two evenly matched teams and despite a penalty try for Heriot's bringing them within two points with 5 minutes to go, the Blues held on and a try at the death secured their victory.
U16 Schools Shield Final: Edinburgh Academy led throughout in their 29-22 victory but were made to work hard by Dollar Academy who kept fighting back to remain within touching distance. After racing into an early 12 point lead, the Edinburgh Academy could have felt they were going to cruise to victory but Dollar's quick double just before and after half-time saw them within two points. Ultimately, Edinburgh held on to win but it was another tight contest in a thrilling day of rugby.
U18 Schools Shield Final: George Watson's secured their second bit of silverware of the day in their comfortable 34-12 victory over the High School of Dundee. Underdogs Dundee put up a fight but struggled with their discipline, receiving two yellow cards in the second half. Watson's also received a yellow with 10 minutes to go but their performance in the first 60 minutes was more than enough to see out the game.
U18 Schools Plate Final: One of the games of the day saw Robert Gordon's College battle from behind at half-time to secure a 27-19 victory over Glenalmond College. Robert Gordon's started brightly, through a penalty and an unbelievable length of the pitch try from captain Jamie Barron saw them race into an 8-0 lead. Glenalmond recovered through two tries which were excellently converted to lead 14-8 at the interval. A turning point 53 minutes into the thrilling encounter saw Glenalmond down to 14 men after try-scoring winger Josh Alexander was sent to the bin. Two tries from man of the match Lewys Brooks saw him complete his hattrick, helping Robert Gordon's take advantage of the extra man to end up on top in a highly entertaining game which had it all.
U18 Schools Bowl Final: A strong second half performance from St Columba's saw them secure a 31-14 over Queen Victoria School. The St Columba's pipe band built up a great atmosphere and this spurred on their team who took a 14-0 lead before Queen Victoria fought back to see the sides level at half-time. With the conditions worsening and a yellow card for Queen Victoria, St Columba's scored 17 unanswered points in the second half to take control of the game and bring back silverware.
U18 Schools Cup Final: Another heavyweight clash saw Stewart's Melville College battle to secure a 28-24 victory over Merchiston Castle School. Stewart's Melville ran out to a 14-0 lead before Merchiston fought back to 14-14 after 22 minutes. However, a yellow card for a high tackle by Merchiston's flyhalf Jake Dalziel saw Stewart's Melville take advantage with a further two tries, leaving it 28-14 at the break. Errors from both sides at the start of the second half saw the games energy die down but Merchiston brought it back to life with two quick unconverted tries seeing them within four points. They continued to pile on pressure but Stewart's Melville's defence witheld and as the clock was in the red, a hopeful crossfield kick from Merchiston went agonisingly over the head of the winger and into touch, ending the game. In what was another thrilling final, it was ultimately Stewart's Melville College who lifted the trophy at Scottish Gas Murrayfield.
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