School sides resume quest for Brewin Dolphin trophies

RUGBY's Scottish Schools cup competitions spark back into life this week after the winter disruption and today and tomorrow are big days for those with designs on the Brewin Dolphin trophies.

Merchiston Castle and George Heriot's schools go head-to-head in the capital today, while Stewart's Melville host Dollar Academy and North Berwick travel into the city to face reigning champions Edinburgh Academy tomorrow. The hosts also welcome the High School of Dundee at U16 level in a double-header at New Field.

Completing the U16 quarter-finals, Stewart's Melville College take on Robert Gordon's College today, while last year's U15 cup champions, Hutchesons' Grammar School, welcome Marr College and North Berwick again travel westwards to meet George Watson's College tomorrow.

The Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools' U18 and U16 Cup Finals have been rescheduled due to the weather and will now take place at Murrayfield on Saturday 5 March, with the Plate and Bowl finals on Wednesday 9 and 16 March respectively. The Plate and Bowl quarter-finals are also scheduled for this weekend.

George Watson's College have already booked their place in the U18 cup semi-final after a convincing 18-0 win over Loretto School on Tuesday. PE teacher and U18 forwards coach Andrew Barnett said: "Considering that we have been without rugby for almost two months, both teams put themselves to the task admirably.

"It was a very physical match between two very good schools and we were happy to come out on top. All the schools that have reached the quarter-finals have proved they are excellent sides so whoever we face in the semis will make for a very hard draw.

"No matter who we play we're looking forward to this weekend's results and the draw. The players are really looking forward to it. All teams put in a lot of training to make it this far and these are the big games they want to play in."

Brewin Dolphin U18 Scottish Schools Cup, quarter-finals:

Result: George Watson's College 18 Loretto School 0. Today: Merchiston Castle School v George Heriot's School. Tomorrow: Edinburgh Academy v North Berwick High School, Stewart's Melville College v Dollar Academy.

Brewin Dolphin U16 Scottish Schools Cup, quarter-finals: Today: Stewart's Melville College v Robert Gordon's College. Tomorrow: George Watson's College v North Berwick High School, Edinburgh Academy v High School of Dundee, Hutchesons Grammar School v Marr College.

Brewin Dolphin U18 Scottish Schools Plate, quarter-finals: Tomorrow: St Aloysius College v High School of Dundee, Boroughmuir/ James Gilliespie's v The Glasgow Academy, Glenalmond College v St Columba's or Banchory Academy. Monday 24 January: High School of Glasgow v Hawick High School.

Brewin Dolphin U16 Scottish Schools Plate, quarter-finals: Yesterday: Bell Baxter High School v Kirkwall Grammar School. Tomorrow: Kelso High School v Winner of Pool 9 or Hawick High School, St Aloysius College v Boroughmuir/James Gillespie's, The Gordon Schools v Peebles High School or Linlithgow Academy composite.

Brewin Dolphin U18 Scottish Schools Bowl, quarter-finals: Berwickshire High School v Arran High School, Alva Academy or McLaren High School v Balwearie/Kirkcaldy High School or Morrison's Academy, Elgin or Aberdeenshire South or Cults Academy v Millburn Academy, Bearsden/Doug Academy or Boclair Academy v Musselburgh Grammar School (ties to be played on or by 5 Feb)

Brewin Dolphin U16 Scottish Schools Bowl, quarter-finals: Jedburgh Grammar School v Carrick Academy or Grange Academy, Balfron High School or McLaren High School v Morrison's Academy or Strathmore Schools, Ellon Academy or Turriff Academy v Inverness Royal Academy, Argyll Schools v Edinburgh School tbc (ties to be played on or by 5 Feb).