Veterans lead Boroughmuir to Stirling sevens crown

Published on Sunday 24 April 2011 19:02

Boroughmuir became the party poopers when they spoiled what had otherwise been a splendid day for the County set, beating their hosts 29-15 in an enthralling denouement to the Ondeo Stirling County Sevens on Saturday. In a tight conclusion to an excellent afternoon, latterly blessed with spring sunshine after a damp beginning, the men from Meggetland proved too canny for the home side.

Boroughmuir had, in large part, the experienced double act of Malcolm Clapperton and Ally Warnock to thank for the victory, the old war horses showing they can still control a match to which they contributed handsomely. Club captain Clapperton got the ball rolling when he scored the first try of the final with a display of clever running, with Warnock adding the conversion. Warnock then extended the lead with another touchdown in the opening exchanges, before County finally woke up and hit their straps to make a contest of it when scrum-half Gordon McRorie notched a well-deserved try. Finn Russell brought Stirling to within two points of Muir and then gave the home support reason to hope when he edged his team in front with a second score. The Edinburgh side, however, were not to be denied and Cameron Orr restored the advantage when he broke down the left.

Chris Fusaro extended the lead with another try and the match was put finally beyond County when Ross Bradford breached the home defence with a final score that Warnock converted.

This was a thrilling encounter, the outcome of which had been impossible to predict until almost the end.

Stirling had looked promising in the extreme on their way to the final, overcoming a spirited Falkirk side replete with former County players in the semi-final. Boroughmuir also negotiated a tricky semi, edging out an Aberdeen GSFP outfit who had proved a surprise package in earlier matches, inflicting defeat on the Army in Scotland squad.

There was, however, some consolation for the Stirling faithful as their P7 tiddlers triumphed over Ayr in the tightest of minis final, the match finishing 5-5 but County winning because they scored first, and their S2 youngsters registering a 38-19 win over the boys from Mackie in the other juniors' tournament.

Stirling will also have been delighted with the more than respectable crowd, given the unprepossessing climatic conditions through the earlier part of the afternoon. Those hardy souls were rewarded with a fine competition.

Results

First round: West of Scotland 24, Stirling County U20s 17; Falkirk 26, Horny's Tups 10; Perthshire 5, Grangemouth 5; Stirling County 41, GHA 7; Aberdeen GSFP 31, Stirling University 7; Army in Scotland 26, Tynedale 10; Howe of Fife 50, Bannockburn 0; Boroughmuir 52, Dollar Accies 0.

Quarter-finals: West of Scotland 5, Falkirk 31; Perthshire 5, Stirling County 50; Aberdeen GSFP 12, Army 12; Howe of Fife 7, Boroughmuir 17.

Semi-finals: Falkirk 5, Stirling County 24; Aberdeen 5, Boroughmuir 26.

Final: Stirling County 15, Boroughmuir 29.

Stirling County: G Lindsay, C Deacons, D Gilmour, G McRorie, S Kennedy, G Brodie, D Lyle, J Hope, R Aitken, F Russell.

Boroughmuir: C Orr, A Rose, C Fusaro, D Reekie, A Warnock, M Clapperton, R Cairns, M Walker, R Bradford, J Webster.