Cup semi-final draw to be televised on STV

Published on Monday 21 December 2009 22:56

THE semi-final draw for the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools Under-18 Cup will be made next Sunday on STV during the channel's coverage of the 1872 Glasgow v Edinburgh Magner's League match at Firhill.

For once it does not matter what combination comes out of the hat. Each of the semi-finalists, Stewart's-Melville College, George Watson's College, Edinburgh Academy and Merchiston has revealed their considerable strength this season and therefore it was no surprise to find all four in the penultimate round.

Yet while this quartet are to be congratulated for their performances thus far, the semi final survivors represent and unhealthy concentration of strength in the capital.

So what has happened to schools in the rest of Scotland? No Dollar, no Dundee High, no Robert Gordon's and no Bell-Baxter High School.

Dollar Academy played their one and only Cup game in the fifth round of the competition having graduated from the previous stage with an unsatisfactory walkover win against Musselburgh Grammar School after the East Lothian side failed to fulfil the tie because of a school/club conflict of interest.

One might imagine Dollar's former coach, John Foster, allowing himself a wry smile at the outcome. It was Foster who, three years ago, triggered a lively debate by suggesting that the Schools Cup should be exactly that and not for clubs.

Clubs, he argued, had their own national competition, and therefore should not play in both cups. In the event the unique double by Bell-Baxter High School/Howe of Fife, either vindicated Foster's position or suggested a greater integration of under-18 rugby.

Bell-Baxter High School have fallen off the pace after producing what was a truly great team three years ago. So, too, have the twice beaten finalists, Dundee High School, who have suffered a lean season.

But with encouraging results from their first, second and third year teams, a return to their former strength seems possible.

Robert Gordon's College, too, have been weaker this season, with no sign of any more Chris Cusiters or Ruraidh Jacksons emerging from the Aberdeen school.

If there has been a diminished challenge from north of the Forth then the same can be said of Glasgow schools.

The pick of the west has been Marr College, who reached the quarter finals before losing to Edinburgh Academy. But Marr, while offering hope for state sector schools rugby, may not be able to sustain what has been a proud record over the years, and which has largely been down to one man, John Sharkey.

The veteran coach, however, fears for the future. "I'm due to retire either at the end of this session or at most a year later," says Sharkey. "And my assistant coach is almost the same age. I don't really see anyone able to take on rugby. Young teachers coming into PE are of a generation that has not experienced extra curricular sport. It could be very difficult."

Undoubtedly the top state school this season has been North Berwick High School, who showed their ability by running Edinburgh Academy very close in both the under-18 and under-15 Cups. There have also been encouraging displays from Royal High School, Boroughmuir High School, Banchory Academy, Perth Academy and Madras College to indicate that rugby outwith the independent schools is still alive.