Stewartry RFC under-16s win SRU West of Scotland Shield

Stewartry’s under-16s have won the SRU’s West of Scotland Shield competition.

They had been due to face Glasgow side GHA RFC in a play-off but the game was postponed due to the weather, then unable to go ahead on Sunday as GHA were unable to field the required number of front row players.

Team manager and coach, Graham Robertson, said: “It is an unfulfilling way to end the season, but the awarding of the Shield Trophy is a just reward for a group of players that have come together, improved as individuals and as a team and fully deserve this, having only lost to the eventual competition winners.”

Assistant coach Mike Jack added: “Thanks to the players for their efforts and the parents and club for all their support.”

The squad was formed in August. Training Wednesday evenings and playing on Sundays, their successful efforts to gel into a team were apparent from the positive pre-Christmas match results, with seven wins from 10 matches and 341 points scored with 233 conceded.

After the New Year the team entered the West of Scotland competition, playing teams from much further afield. Competing in Pool B they came second behind West of Scotland U16 XV, who went on to win the whole cup competition.

Beginning in January, Stewartry beat Hamilton 17-12 in a close fought match on an atrocious day. Next opponents Loch Lomond were an easier prospect and Stewartry were awarded a 50-0 win after some confusion about the score.

Stewartry then went to Moffat and won 72-32 in a match where defence seemed to be optional but the Stewartry attack purred like a well oiled machine.

A 30-10 win at Biggar led to the final Pool B match between the two table toppers. West of Scotland were just too strong and won 45-10. All of