Academy Cup heroes aim to be all-rounders

EDINBURGH Academy head coach Mark Appleson, who guided his side to success in this year's Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools Under 18 Cup final at Murrayfield last Thursday, admitted it was hard work keeping a sense of reality when the players returned to classes on Friday.

"It was difficult keeping their feet on the ground. The boys received a standing ovation from the school at assembly," said Appleson, who stresses that, although rugby is important at Edinburgh Academy, it is not a dominant culture. "The ethos of the school is to excel in as many areas as possible," he added. "Our stand-off, Fraser Gillies, for example, is a choral singer, enjoys drama and plays the trumpet."

Gillies would certainly have enjoyed the drama of last Thursday when it was his astute decision- making and, ultimately, his penalty goal that won the Cup for Edinburgh Academy in the last play of the match. "It was a surreal way everything unfolded. At the end everyone was exhausted. But I thought we had the edge in fitness and I think our subs made an impact.

"This is Academy's first title at this level and I think it will give all the players something to aspire to," said Appleson, who must now begin to look at next year's side.