GLASGOW WARRIORS COMMUNITY ACTIVITY UNDER 14 RUGBY SEVENS TOURNAMENT
On Saturday 7 January 2017 Stewartry Under 14 Rugby team took part in an 8 team tournament prior to the Guiness PRO 12 Glasgow Warriors V Cardiff Blues rugby match at Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow.
The 8 teams were drawn into 2 pools of 4 teams. Group 1 – Garnock – Dalziel – Ardrossan – West of Scotland Group 2 – East Kilbride – Lenzie – Stewartry – GHA (Glasgow, Hutchesons’, Aloysians) RFC
Stewartry V GHA
Stewartry’s first match was against GHA and resulted in a splendidly entertaining match with both teams playing some excellent passing rugby. GHA started the scoring with fine passing move out wide and their speedy winger scored in corner. Stewartry responded immediately with a fine burst by Fraser Gibson released Connor Clanachan to score using his power and strength to reach over the line. GHA soon took control of the game with quick hands and passing out wide and scored 3 times more in quick succession. However, Stewartry were up to the task and a fine burst and offload by Peter Young released Finn Telfer to score in the corner. GHA scored twice again before Fraser Gibson retrieve good ruck ball and stormed through GHA defence to complete the scoring of 8 tries to 3 for GHA. GHA were just that bit quicker and sharper with their passing, movement and offloading than Stewartry. However, a very entertaining game for the spectators.
Stewartry V Lenzie
The next game was against Lenzie and Stewartry started off like a house on fire with Finn Baillie receiving the ball from Jack Callander and bursting through Lenzie defence with his accustomed power running to score a try. Lenzie replied quickly with a fine score by their elusively quick winger. This shook the Stewartry boys up and soon the scoring continued with a good passing move by Jack Callander, Peter Young who released Paddy Traynor who shrugged of the Lenzie tacklers to score in the corner. The match continued with some quality tackling and rucking allowed Stewartry to get some turnover ball which was passed out to Fraser Gibson who scored another long range try. Not to be outdone Peter Young joined in by retrieving ruck ball and emulated Fraser by scoring from long range. Lenzie fought back with another score by their elusive winger. A very tricky runner. Fraser Gibson added 2 more scores and Peter Young added another which made the final score Stewartry 7 tries to Lenzie 2 tries. This was a fine game with Lenzie giving their best but were overpowered by Stewartrys power running and offloading which drew in their defence to release the power runners to score.
Stewartry V East Kilbride
The next game started immediately after the previous one so no time for a rest. However, the boys adrenalin was still pumping and Finn Bailie soon started the scoring with a run into the corner. Peter Young, who was having one of his finest performances of the season, made a break through the centre of East Kilbride defence to score. He soon made a lovely break and released Finn Bailie to score again in the corner. Peter Young again made a break releasing Fraser Gibson to score again from distance. Peter and Fraser both scored again in similar fashion. The Stewartry boys were relishing the game and taking full advantage of East Kilbride mistakes. The game finished 6 tries to nil. East Kilbride showed fantastic spirit throughout the game denying Stewarty any more scores. Every time East Kilbride threatened the Stewartry defence they were tackled and rucked off then ball allowing the big runners to score. A really good performance by the Stewartry which placed them in the top 4 teams who would play in front of the Glasgow Warriors crowd at half time.
Stewartry V West of Scotland
This was the big one with the Stewartry boys playing against West of Scotland boys at Scotstoun Stadium home of Glasgow Warriors and playing in front of 7200 spectators. The Stewartry boys were relishing this match and soon ran up several scores through Fraser Gibson, Connor Clanachan ,Finn Bailie and Peter Young who helped himself to a three tries. .The West of Scotland boys tried hard but were no match for a rampant Stewartry under 14 team in front of the large crowd. The biggest pleasure for the coaching staff was seeing the joy on the faces of the boys when the final whistle went having won 8 tries to nil. They absolutely relished playing in front if such a large crowd.
The Stewartry were only beaten by a very well coached and drilled GHA team who were the best team of the tournament. Peter Young and Fraser Gibson had outstanding tournaments with Peter running the show for most games while also delivering some fine tries. Fraser with his strong running and aggressive tackling allowing turnovers to be turned into tries. Connor Clanachan was like a “wrecking ball” with the ball in his hand, delivered some fearsome tackles and ran in some impressive scores. Finn Bailie was his usual strong running try scoring self. Paddy Traynor had a fine tournament with some impressive tackling running and offloading. He was rewarded by a fine try against Lenzie. Jack Callander was the link between the backs and forwards and set things going smoothly with his pop passes and sneaky runs round the edges of the breakdown. Finn Telfer played in the first game and impressed with his strong tackling aggressive running and a fine score in the corner under extreme pressure. He got a minor knock and had to sit out the other games. Robbie Briggs deputised for Finn Telfer and made some telling tackles, runs and link up play to help the power runners score the tries. Kieron Brand played his part as a power rolling sub in most games. He made one fine break before offloading to the power runners. All the boys deserve great credit for the support they gave each other all the way through the tournament.
All the boys did the Stewartry Rugby Club proud and must take tremendous satisfaction from their efforts. Thanks to all the coaching staff (Kenny Young, Lewis Young and John Muir) for arranging the boys to perform in front of a large Glasgow Warriors crowd.
One partner. No competitors. Visible across local sport.
