Oban youth rugby round-up
T4 Schools Conference
OBAN High School travelled to Cartha Queens Park RFC last Thursday to take on Shawlands Academy in their latest T4 schools fixture tie.
Oban fielded three teams, under-13, -14 and -16, with encouraging numbers travelling on the day.
Unfortunately all the teams lost out on the day despite some good rugby being played. The under-13s were well beaten but improved as the game went on and managed to cross the try line a few times in the second half.
Shawlands won by two tries in the under-14 fixture but it could have gone in the favour of either team.
The hosts scored a last-gasp try in a narrow win in the under16 game with Oban leading for the majority of the match.
The T4 Schools Conference has been successful in providing schools with competitive midweek fixtures and is having a positive impact in raising playing numbers at all youth age levels.
U18s
Oban under-18s failed to build on last week’s home win over Strathaven as they travelled to take on Garnock/ Birkmyre on Saturday with a weakened squad. The Oban team did well to be in the game at only 12-7 down at half-time but fell apart in the second half, losing 40-7. Despite the loss, there were some very encouraging per- formances, particularly from Daniel Speirs, Alex Houston, Ben MacFarlane Barrow, James Divers and Lorne Sinclair.
Oban under-18s have no scheduled fixture this weekend.
U16s
The under-16 team recorded a very convincing 70-7 win over Hillhead Jordanhill in Glasgow on Sunday. This was the team’s seventh competitive game of the season so far and the high number of matches has seen a huge improvement in both the individual and team performances. The next match for the under-16s is away to Cartha Queens Park RFC this Sunday.
U14s
Strathaven were the visitors to Glencruitten on Sunday as Oban’s under-14s recorded a convincing 70-20 win. The Oban team have vastly improved after a big loss against Glasgow Hawks at the start of the season.
Stand- outs on Sunday were the performances of Dougie MacDonald and Kenni Gray. Oban under-14s join the under-16s away to Cartha Queen Park RFC on Sunday.
U13S
The under-13s were without a game last weekend as Waysiders RFC could not raise a team. The 13s are due to play Strathaven at home on Sunday.