Hamilton and Livingston merge teams at under-18s

Ayr/wellington retained their 100 per cent record in the under-18 Shogun Conference by defeating Hamilton 50-0 at Millbrae. But while the match provided championship points, it was a much too one-sided affair to be of much use to Ayr.

Hamilton’s problems have all to do with lack of numbers in this particular age band, resulting in the Lanarkshire club having to either pull out of league games or turn up short of players. A solution to Hamilton’s plight, however, appears to have been found as head coach Ross Whiteside explained.

“The good news is that we have tied in with Livingston at under-18 level. They also had a number of issues at under-18. It will make for a young team but it is a team and we anticipate fulfilling our fixtures going forward,” he said.

In the top match on Saturday, Boroughmuir continued their challenge for the topspotwithanarrow31-28 win over Stirling County at Bridgehaugh, Muir’s points coming from tries by fullback Josh Howard (2) and centre Cameron Hogg (2) all converted by stand-off Stuart Dobson (4) who also kicked the penalty goal that separated the teams.

Also showing good form were Biggar, who defeated Highland 22-7 at Hartree Mill in a very competitive game, winger Michael Girdler scoring a hat-trick of tries and fellow wing Aaron Connelly Thomson running in a solo effort. For Highland, Hamish Mcintosh scored the Inverness side’s only try.

Elsewhere, West of Scotland continued a strong set of performances by defeating Perthshire 28-14 with tries by Calum Gray, Scott Kerr and Tiaan Wright (2). For Perthshire, Adam Mellis and Tom Colvin crossed for tries.

Today, schools rugby reboots itself with three cup quarter-finals. Stewart’s-melville are away to a confident Dollar side after their 40-14 win over Heriot’s. George Watson’s are at home to Strathallan and Glasgow High face Marr, while tomorrow Edinburgh Academy play Fettes.