Caledonia dominate at Murrayfield but denied hat-trick by Edinburgh
Scotland’s top talent in agegrade rugby was showcased at BT Murrayfield on Sunday in the finals of the Fosroc Scottish Rugby Academy Regional Championship, from which Caledonia emerged with top honours with wins at under-20 and under-18 levels.
Caledonia were denied a hat-trick of titles by an inspired performance at under-16 level from Edinburgh, who reversed a heavy defeat in the third round of the championship at Galashiels a week earlier to win by 40-7.
The Edinburgh under-16s’ coach, Mike Ker, admitted that changes to his team had made the difference. “We had strong players back in the key positions of hooker, No 8, scrum-half, stand-off and inside centre, the socalled spine of the team and they contributed handsomely,” he said.
Outstanding for Edinburgh under-16s in their 40-7 win were stand-off Matthew Russell, centre Aidan Boyle (both Stewart’s-melville College) and full-back Harvey Cameron-barr (Edinburgh Academy), while in the forward pack back rows Mike Cantle (George Watson’s College) and Teddy Thomson (Merchiston) were influential.
But Edinburgh could not stop a strong Caledonia side from winning the under-18 match by 19-7 with tries from prop Ben Mace (Stirling County), wing Mungo Somerville (Waid Academy) and the impressive scrum half, Finlay Jacobs (Mackie). Two of Caledonia’s tries were converted by inside centre Mikey Heron, who aside from kicking accurately, was strong both in attack and defence.
For Edinburgh under-18 the strong-running full-back Harry Paterson (Fettes College) scored a first-half try converted by Nathan Moffat (Stewart’s-melville College).
At under-20 level Caledonia, fielding a number of contenders for the national team, made a powerful statement with their 45-14 win over Edinburgh. Caledonia had the game won by half-time when they led 31-7 from a brace of tries by centre Andrew Mclean (Stirling County), prop Euan Mclaren (Ayr), the admirably mobile second row Ross Bundy (Stirling County) and No 8 Struan Dow (Glasgow Hawks).
Then in the second half centre Grant Hughes and prop Murphy Walker (both Stirling County) added further tries. Former Dollar full-back Ben Mcilwraith (Hartpury College) kicked four conversions, the other two-pointer coming from replacement Angus Vipond.
For Edinburgh scrumhalf Robbie Davies and No 8 Kit Buchan scored tries, both converted by stand-off George Goodenough (Boroughmuir).
In the third/fourth playoffs, Borders and East Lothian defeated Glasgow 21-14 in the under-20 game, the under-18 match was drawn 7-7 and at under-16 level Glasgow were 12-5 winners over Borders.