Schools: Galashiels v Marr too good for back pitch

BARRING another sudden drop in temperature and a blizzard from the Baltic, the much-postponed Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools Under-18 Plate final between Galashiels Academy and Marr College will be played tonight at Murrayfield but 
unlike last week’s Youth Cupdecider on the international turf, the game will go ahead on the less glamorous surroundings of the back pitch.

That, surely, is a pity, as staging the final on the international pitch would make this a special occasion for the young players taking part tonight and would have rewarded their efforts for reaching the last stage of the competition. And, after all, if the RBS Shield and RBS Bowl matches at senior level can be played on the international pitch, then why not for under-18s?

Many will see this as an opportunity missed, an opportunity to encourage more young players at a time when the game in Scotland desperately needs numbers to increase.

Galashiels Academy go into tonight’s match with a side that contains many of the Gala Wanderers’ team that contested last week’s Youth Cup final against Stirling County. That, in theory, should mean that Galashiels Academy are match fit and mentally tuned to the demands of a final. The Borderers, though, will want to address many of the issues that undid them against County.

Marr are expected to have the services of their Scotland Under-18 back row Ben Johnston and, according to Dave Wilson the coach of the Kelvinside Academy team beaten in the semi final by the Troon school, Marr will be favourites to win this game.

Galashiels, however, have three Under-17 squad members, stand-off Ruairi Howarth, prop Gary Robertson and No 8 Josh Irvine, in their side. All three are proven performers but it is how the rest of the team react to the final that will determine the outcome of it.

On an adjacent back pitch tonight will be the final of the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools Under-18 Bowl between Peebles High School and Morrison’s Academy.

Meanwhile, George Watson’s College’s cup-winning stand-off, Adam Hastings, is to take up a scholarship at Millfield School next session. The Somerset school, which specialises in sport, provided two Scotland age-grade international players last season in Robbie Tait and Grant McConnell.