It’s seven of the best from Perthshire
There was brilliance in Belfast from Perthshire Rugby Club’s primary seven team.
The young North Inch squad returned to the Fair City after a winning turn at the Malone RFC International Festival of Rugby.
Shire went through the tournament unbeaten, winning five games and drawing one, to be named ‘team of the festival’.
Head coach Craig Duncan watched his determined players fend off the challenge of teams from Ireland, Scotland, England andWales.
“Over the years, we have played against some quality sides from Scotland,”he told the Perthshire Advertiser.
“But to be given the opportunity to travel to Belfast to compete against teams from all over the UK and Ireland was a fantastic experience for the boys.
“This was the first time this squad had toured together.
“To see the boys bonding and all getting on together, on and off the pitch, was just priceless in cementing the strong team bond this squad has.
“I think the key to the team’s success was their fantastic team spirit and sportsmanship, they just work so hard for each other on and off the pitch.
“You never know how well the team will do playing at festivals, especially as we had never played any of the other teams before.
“I knew we had a strong squad but never thought for one minute that they would go unbeaten throughout the festival.”
The productive showing has the Shire lads in a confident mood heading into this weekend’s Perthshire Rugby Mini Festival.
Hundreds of enthusiastic kids will descend on the North Inch for friendly but competitive action.
“To see 400 kids aged five to 12 from all over Scotland play rugby on the North Inch is a fantastic sight,”Craig said.
“This is always a special day as it is the final festival of our season.
“This year is a little bit more special for our group as it will be their last‘minis’ festival as they move up to the midis after the summer.”
Perthshire’s annual Sevens tournament will take place on Saturday as part of the Perthshire’s P7 team delivered the goods in Belfast popular Perth Beer Festival.
The draw sees Perthshire matched in a group with Howe of Fife, Dundee University Medics and Dunfermline.
In pool two, local sides Crieff and Strathearn and Blairgowrie will come up against Penicuik and Grangemouth.
Aberfeldy were pulled out of the hat in pool four alongside Montrose and District, Kirkcaldy and Highland.
Pool three sees Lismore, Braidholm Bandits, The Mighty Bovs and LFEA RFC take to the field.