Schools rugby: Cup holders face stiff test as Loretto come calling

THE second of the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools Under-18 Cup quarter-finals goes ahead today at Inverleith, where defending champions Stewart’s-Melville College face Loretto in what is expected to be the closest match of this round.

Stewart’s-Melville, by their own admission, take time to mould their side as was evident last season when, after a difficult start, the team matured into a cup-winning outfit.

Last season they had a side that had a high proportion of sixth-year boys and that undoubtedly was a factor in their success.

“This season we have a 50-50 mix,” said the Stewart’s-Melville coach, Bryn Lockie. “It takes time for the boys to learn our way of playing.

“And with the cup being earlier this season, it’s more difficult to absorb new tactics.”

Colleges warmed up for the match with a 58-3 win over the former cup winners Howe of Fife/Bell-Baxter High School at Inverleith on Saturday. Loretto, meanwhile, had a much more difficult match ahead of their quarter-final – a 33-7 defeat at the hands of cup favourites Edinburgh Academy.

Academy coach Mark Appleson described Loretto as “a quality side” despite his team’s victory, which came from tries by Alex Glashan, Jamie MacLean, Zander Muir and Freddie Smith.

The result against Loretto ended a busy week for Academy, who confirmed their strength this season with a 29-8 win against Durham School in wet and windy conditions, with tries from Alex Swan (2), Smith Glashan and Chris Dean. They now face a stiff test this weekend when they play English opponents, Culford School, before they take on Merchiston after the half-term break.

Merchiston, safely into the semi-finals of the Brewin Dolphin Cup after their 39-0 win over Glasgow Academy this week, will also gain exposure to non-domestic opposition when they take part in the St Josephs national rugby festival at Ipswich.

Another Edinburgh school aiming for a semi-final place is George Watson’s College. The Myreside team, still missing several key players, were held 5-5 on Saturday by Glenalmond College.

Glenalmond, who opted to play in the Plate this season, this weekend face their Perthshire neighbours Strathallan, 11-0 winners against Fettes College on Saturday, with a try from Angus Guthrie and two penalty goals by Nick Farar.

Elsewhere, Marr College continued their unbeaten run this season with a 15-13 win over Carrick Academy, while Glasgow High School defeated their city rivals St Aloysius College 21-8 at Millerston.