Schools Rugby: Three capital clubs into semi-finals of Scottish Cup

By ALAN LORIMER
Published on 06/11/2012 00:21

The Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools Under-18 Cup competition moves into its penultimate stage this month following the completion of the remaining three quarter-finals last week that determined the teams joining Merchiston in the last four.

Last Tuesday, Dundee High School secured their place in the semi-final line-up with a 10-7 win over Dollar Academy at Mayfield. They now face another home tie in the semis against Merchiston.

Then on Wednesday Stewart’s-Melville College made sure of their place in the semi-final with a 15-10 win over defending champions Edinburgh Academy at Inverleith, both sides scoring two tries but Stewart’s-Melville emerging winners thanks to the goal kicking of their talented stand-off Scott Docherty.

Stew-Mel will now face George Watson’s College, who were comfortable 41-12 winners over Hutchesons’ Grammar School at Myreside on Friday night in what was, despite the scoreline, a hard game. “It was good to get a meaningful competitive game against Hutchesons,” said Watson’s coach, Ally Donaldson. “We learnt a lot from this match that we can carry through to the semi-final.”

In the Under-16 Cup, Merchiston have been drawn at home to Edinburgh Academy while Strathallan also have home 
advantage for their semi against Watson’s. As yet, no dates have been finalised for the semi-final matches but they must be played before the projected date for the final on Thursday 29 November. The move back to a Thursday after last season’s experiment of playing the final on a Saturday will be welcomed by many who felt that club rugby suffered as a result of the clash.

In the Brewin Dolphin Plate Under-18 competition, Galashiels Academy progressed to the Borders and East Lothian final after beating title holders Earlston High School 45-18 at Netherdale last Thursday with a seven try tally that included two apiece from their outstanding players, Ruairi Howarth at stand-off and Gary Robertson at loosehead.

Elsewhere in the Plate, 
St Columba’s play Marr College in the Glasgow South under-18 final, the match having been rearranged from last week.

Away from the Brewin Dolphin competitions, Merchiston beat Strathallan 15-0 at Forgandinney to remain undefeated in Scotland this season. Merchiston will face a stiffer test this weekend, however, when they play Durham School.

In East Lothian, North Berwick High School achieved a notable result with a 19-15 win over George Heriot’s School on Saturday, while, at Inverleith, Stewart’s-Melville College completed a successful week with a 27-7 win over Glasgow High School.