Schools rugby: Boroughmuir stretch their unbeaten run to five games

By ALAN LORIMER
Published on 16/10/2012 00:00

Boroughmuir High School signed off what has been a successful run of results up to the October break with a 26-5 victory over Stewart’s-Melville College A XV to record their fifth successive win since the start of term.

Despite the difficult conditions last Thursday, Boroughmuir ran in four tries, the pick of them an impressive solo effort from stand-off Blair Wycherley.

The push for completion of cup games before the October break resulted in the three Brewin Dolphin under-16 games going ahead last week. George Watson’s College had little difficulty booking their place in the under-16 Cup semi-final after putting Robert Gordon’s College to the sword with a 68-5 win at Myreside. In Perthshire, Strathallan secured their place in the penultimate round of the under-16 Cup with a 30-10 win over Stewart’s-Melville College.

Joining Watson’s and Strathallan are Merchiston, whose under 16s emerged from their quarter-final tie with Dollar Academy winners by 20-7. The fourth of the under-16 quarter-finals between Dundee High School and Edinburgh Academy at Mayfield is scheduled for 25 October.

While the October holiday represents a break for most school sides, Marr College from Troon used the time away from studies to undertake a three-match tour of Ontario, which started last Thursday when the team took on Saltfleet High School. Despite having arrived in Canada just 24 hours earlier, they produced an impressive display to win 32-0, Lewis Anderson scoring two tries. The other touchdowns came from Lorne Dunlop, Scott Douglas, Grant Baird and Danny Clark, with one conversion by Jordan Deary.

On Saturday, the school was back in action against Brock High School, the Ontario provincial champions, and again the west coast side produced fluent rugby to earn a 60-0 win. Anderson with a hat-trick of tries brought his tour tally to five, and there was a brace each from Andy Mill and Cammy Watson. The remaining tries were scored by Jack Butchart, Ali Hazel and Clarke with five conversions from Deary. Marr will finish their tour with a game against Nottawasaga Pines High School.

In the Borders, where rugby at under 18 and under 16 levels is the province of clubs rather than schools, Hawick Wanderers and Gala Wanderers continue to set the pace in the semi-junior league. On Saturday, Hawick Wanderers just squeezed past their town rivals, Hawick PSA, with a 13-12 win while Gala Wanderers were much more comfortable winners after defeating Kelso Quins 34-14, setting up an exciting encounter between Hawick Wanderers and Gala Wanderers at Netherdale this weekend.