Stewartry under-16s record 40-win over Wigtownshire

Stewartry under-16s last 15-a-side match of the season was played on the first XV pitch at Greenlaw in glorious spring sunshine on Sunday.

Wigtownshire had accepted a last-minute offer of a fixture when the SRU’s fixture system collapsed and turned up with a full squad ready to test themselves again.

Stewartry started well with an early try by Joe Hall from fullback but then had to work hard against a ‘Shire side that was just shading the possession and making good use of it. However, when ‘Shire gave away a penalty just inside their own half, a quick tap by captain Fraser Davies set Arthur Bolland off on a long run for the posts. He burst the front line tackles and then found himself unopposed all the way to the line.

Towards the end of the half, Stewartry won a lineout on their left, made ground wide on the right touchline and then brought the ball back, via two forward pods to allow Oliver Campbell an easy try back on the left.

The half-time break saw Stewartry in a reasonably comfortable lead but all the coaches’ advice was about being careful with an inevitable ‘Shire fightback and trying to win the next 10 minutes.

As it happened, it could not have gone much better, as within a minute, Stewartry had a scrum on their right just inside ‘Shire’s half.

Running a practised play, Bolland made good ground with a number eight pickup and linked with the supporting Daniel Eakin Watt who shimmied though multiple defenders to score under the posts.

There then came the anticipated ‘Shire response and they made several telling breaks through some weak Stewartry tackling.

Each time, however, Stewartry scrambled defence, with James Nelson and Hall notable for their cover, just kept them out and says something about