Bulls start Super6 Sprint charge with home win over Bears
Defending champions Ayrshire Bulls kicked off the 2022 Super6 Sprint campaign with a 24-17 win at home to Boroughmuir Bears last night.
The Millbrae men, who defeated Southern Knights in last season's final, picked up from where they left off on opening night in the competition.
The capital outfit did take the lead on 19 minutes through Joshking,withblairmacpherson going in the sin bin, but the Bulls responded five minutes later when Elias Caven crossed after a smart grubber kick from Matt Minogue.
Another try came on 32 minutes when Cam Jones broke through, with Minogue adding the extras once again as the hosts led 14-5 at the interval.
Craig Keddie got Boroughmuir to within two points with a converted try five minutes into the second half, but the Bulls found an extra gear towards the end.
Aaron Tait showed good pace to score his first try of the nighton67minutes–minogue
missed the conversion – and the same player landed another try two minutes later to put the game out of Bears' reach.
Robbie Mccallum did score a try right at the death for Bears, but it was Ayr who prevailed.
Today, Stirling County have seven players under the age of 20 in their matchday 23 that travels to Myreside to take on Watsonians.
The part-time professional competition was put in place by Scottish Rugby to bring young, Scottish talent through the ranks, so it is encouraging to see County head coach Ben Cairns backing his rookies.
The young ones involved include centre Ben Salmon and Strathallan School final year pupil Callum Norrie, who will look to make an impact off the bench in the front-row.
Heriot’s host the Southern Knights at Goldenacre. Former Knights players Euan Mclaren, Murdo Mcandrew, Sam Pecqueur and Nyle Godsmark are in the Heriot’s starting XV, which should make this one pretty tasty.
Nathan Chamberlain, who has previously played for Heriot’s, is released by Edinburgh Rugby to play at stand-off for the Knights.
And outside him, at 13, it will be interesting to see what impact ex-samoa Sevens player Paul Eti Slater makes.