Runaway win for Highland as they cruise to semi-finals

The National Under-18 Youth League Cup reaches its penultimate stage this weekend when Ayr face Highland at Millbrae and Stirling County take on fellow Caledonian side Perthshire at Bridgehaugh.

Ayr defeated Hawick Wanderers 27-11 a week last Saturday in one of the few matches to survive the wintry conditions on that weekend, while Highland cruised into the last four with a 64-0 away win over Deeside Wanderers.

“It will be a tough semi away to Ayr, who have beaten us three times this season.” said Highland’s youth coach, John Carson, adding : “We’ve not too many injury worries although I’m not sure if we’ll have Jake Henry, our international winger, available as he is still nursing a hamstring injury.”

Stirling County, who, as under-18 Conference winners, will be favourites for the Cup title, were tested by Biggar last Saturday, before securing a 13-3 win from tries by centre James Gibson and wing Tommy Johnson and a penalty goal by full-back Kieran Gammie.

County’s opponents, Perthshire, progressed to the semi-finals with a 23-20 win over East Kilbride at the North Inch. in a match that was as close and tense as the scoreline suggests. l In schools rugby, George Watson’s College defeated their city rivals and Scottish Schools under-18 Cup winners Stewart’s-melville College by 15-14.

This Saturday, Stewart’smelville will face a George Heriot’s side fresh from a 36-29 win over Howe of Fife Under-18s at Cupar. Heriot’s tries were scored by Iain Kay, Scott Robeson, Euan Lister, Hector Mckechnie, Sam Donachie and Gregor Hunt, Kay converting three of the scores.

In the west of Scotland, St Aloysius continued their successful season with a 36-12 win over Glasgow High School.