Wasps still buzzing as they reach semi-finals

Stirling County’s hopes of having a double representation in the Youth League Cup finals at Murrayfield on 4 March were dashed when the Bridgehaugh club’s under-16s suffered a 36-26 quarter-final defeat to Earlston High School Melrose Wasps on Sunday in a high-quality match.

Wasps deserved to win, their skilful movement of the ball allowing them to run in six tries.

“I was delighted with this performance considering we haven’t played since early December,” said coach Jerry Brett. “I was really pleased with some of the plays they produced.”

Kieran Clark bagged two tries and three conversions for the winners, the other Wasps’ touchdowns coming from back-row Tristan Andrews, centre Nick Henderson, wing Ross Lile and their creative inside centre, Roly Brett.

“We were up against a very good Melrose side who played some good attacking rugby. This was a very good advert for Scottish rugby,” said Stuart Keys, the Stirling coach, whose side’s tries came from Andrew Mitchell, Duncan Brown, Cailean Lindsay and Kevin Crainey.

Melrosehavebeendrawn away to either Granite City or Boroughmuir.

The other semi-final in the under-16 Cup will be between Cartha QP and Dunfermline. Cartha produced a shock 31-17 home win over Ayr while Dunfermline beat Ellon 62-17.

There was no upset result, however, for Ayr’s under-18 side, who booked their place in the Cup final with a 35-7 win over Highland. Ayr’s opponents in the final will be the winners of the semi-final tie between Stirling County and Boroughmuir at Bridgehaugh next Saturday.

Boroughmuir secured their place in the under-18 semi final with a narrow 12-10 win over Gala Wanderers at Netherdale.

In schools rugby, Heriot’s achieved another notable win on Saturday, defeating Stewart’s-melville College 24-5, with tries from Hector Mckechnie (2), Sam Donachie and Adam Heywood.