Highs and lows in Biggar

The prestigious Biggar tournament was the focus for EK Rugby Club’s junior section at the weekend and they mixed it with the best young rugby talent in Scotland.

The Primary 7 squad were unable to muster a victory from their three pool games. Ordinarily, this fact may cause some knitting of coach’s brows, but when one considers that the contests were against Stirling County, Melrose and Biggar, then there was less to worry about.

Defeats at the hands of the hosts and County were balanced by a draw with Melrose, where Blair Sidwell scored the try of the day. It was a day for defending and learning though, with Zach Meechan, Brendan Causer, Declan McLuskey and Daniel Cruikshanks getting through a power of tackling.

The P5’s put Biggar away 5-3 in their opener, Zach McQueen’s running and Finlay McKinnon’s tackling leading the way to victory.

The second tie, against Melrose, was even closer, with EK edging it 2-1 in a brutal defensive battle, McQueen and Archie McCaig crossing the line.

In their final group game EK knew they needed to beat Stirling to reach the final and the big hitting of captain McKinnon and Jaiden Grimley kept County on the back foot throughout.

With plenty of ball to play with McQueen again ran riot and grabbed a hat-trick, McKinnon getting the other.

Unfortunately, escaping the harder of the two groups left EK short of energy for the final and they disappointed in their tie with Dumfries, Jack Reddick and Steven Orr tries weren’t enough to carry EK through.

Finally, the P4’s played much better than their three defeats from three games would suggest. George Campbell, Amelia Khan and Aiobhne Murphy led the defensive line well while Adam Williamson, Lewis McAleese and Jamie Russell kept the scoreboard operators busy.