Merchiston under-18s put Dollar to the sword as Oriam brings rugby in from the cold

Given the challenges of the Scottish weather during the winter months, the idea of playing rugby indoors has massive appeal. The need to bring rugby in from the cold (and the wet) has been met by the construction of the Oriam at Heriot-watt University’s Riccarton campus, a facility that is now widely used by Scottish rugby at all levels.

Last Saturday the indoor pitch was used when Merchiston played Dollar in matches across the age bands. Cup winners Merchiston achieved a 33-20 win at under-18 level but the 5-4 try advantage was perhaps the more significant score pointer.

After what has been a difficult season for Dundee High School at under-18 level, the Taysiders showed new-year improvement in losing narrowly to Glasgow High School, 29-19. The scheduled under-16 match, however, was not played after Glasgow High School were unable to raise a team.

Cup semi-finalists George Watson’s College resumed their domestic programme with a 29-7 victory over Edinburgh Academy, Watsons’ tries scored by Ryan Daley, Angus Hoffie, Daniel Brown and Jonny Roberts in what their head coach, Ally Donaldson, pictured, described as “a pretty solid performance.” For Edinburgh Academy Rory Jackson scored a second-half try.

This weekend, Watsons will face their city rivals Stewart’smelville College, who last Saturday achieved a 22-14 success over Ayr at under-18 level, the College’s under-17 side also recording a victory with a 12-7 result against Royal Grammar School, Newcastle.

For Ayr this was a valuable work-out ahead of their Youth League Cup semi-final against Hawick at The Oriam a week on Saturday.

Ayr’s preparations will continue next week when they take on Merchiston. Significantly, Ayr and Merchiston will have matches at all age levels, underlining the readiness of clubs to be integrated into the existing Schools Conferences.

Hawick, meanwhile, kept sharp with an away game against Tynedale that finished in a 37-19 win for the young Greens. This Saturday Hawick take on Duns.