Edinburgh Academy teenagers in sevens heaven at New Anniesland tournament

Edinburgh Academy made a winning start to the schools sevens season by taking both the under-18 and under-16 titles in the Glasgow Academy tournament at New Anniesland last Saturday.

After winning their pool matches against Watson’s, Glasgow Academy and then Dundee High School, Edinburgh Academy despatched St Aloysius College in the semi-final with a 17-10 win.

Then in the final Edinburgh Academy achieved a 24-12 win over Watson’s to secure the title with tries by Cameron Turner, Daniel Troup, Andrew Cadzow and Max Blacklok, and conversion goals from Turner and Ramsey Hodgson.

In the under-16 competition Edinburgh Academy defeated Stewart’s-melville College 12-7 in the final. This Saturday the circuit moves to Myreside where Watson’s will host the Caritas Sevens.

Meanwhile, at Oriam on Saturday the much discussed concept of a cross-conference competition bringing together schools and clubs became reality in a 12-team tournament.

For Boroughmuir, the competition was important for maintenance of match-fitness in the lead-up to the Youth League Cup final at BT Murrayfield on 31 March. In the event the Meggetland side had three wins in their section, with victories over Marr College (10-5), Granite City (31-0) and Madras/st Leonards (19-0), the latter taking the place of Stewart’s-melville College, who withdrew from the competition.

“I thought the concept was good and hopefully it will continue next season to give top players/clubs/schools more competitive games against each other and more often.” said Boroughmuir’s head coach, Scott Anderson.

Also taking part were Strathallan who, despite not playing rugby in their second term, still had the skills to achieve wins over Perthshire, Melrose Wasps and Ayr.

“This was a chance to look at a number of under-16s with a view to next season’s team. I hope this competition is on next year as we would be very keen to play in it,” said Strathallan’s director of rugby, Andy Henderson.

There was similar enthusiasm expressed by Stirling’s Academy manager, Stewart Milne, whose side had wins over Fettes (24-0), Hawick (24-7) and Loretto (36-0).

He said: “I think everyone would be keen to try it again but we’d like to see more of the Schools Cup quarter-final teams playing next year.”