St rat hall a nm er chi st on Cup clash in prospect

Title contenders Strathallan and Merchiston will feature in the fourth round of the Schools under-18 Cup tomorrow when the two rugby powerhouses bid for places in the quarter final of the prestigious competition.

Strathallan are drawn at home to Glasgow Academy, who will have gained confidence from their 43-14 win over arch rivals Glasgow High School last Saturday. Merchiston, who face the L200 Conference leaders, George Heriot’s will also enjoy home advantage

Merchiston and Strathallan, who could be paired in the quarters, met in the Colt Conference last Saturday and in a hugely exciting match at Colinton, Strathallan, took the honours with a 19-17 win.

“This was a fantastic game of rugby and a great advert for the schools game.” said Strathallan’s director of rugby, Andy Henderson, whose side had touchdowns by Findlay Laird and Oli Smith and a penalty try that proved the difference.

The Colt Conference match between Dollar Academy and Stewart’s melville College was also a close affair, Stewart’s melville achieving a 23-21 win with tries by Etienne Moule, Patrick Ritchie and Finlay Macneil, and a conversion and two penalties by Nathan Moffat. For Dollar Jordan Miller bagged a brace of tries.

George Watson’s College were comfortable winners over Edinburgh Academy by 26-8. Watson’s will play their fourth-round Cup match next week when they face Robert Gordon’s College in Aberdeen, while title holders Stewart’s-melville will play their fourth-round match against the Grandis Conference leaders, Preston Lodge High School.

The top level of the youth conferences also brought together two of the big hitters, Ayr and Stirling County, who met at Millbrae on Saturday. Ayr, who have a young side this season, were, on the day, unable to match the power, pace and strength of Stirling County who finished winners by 36-12.