Schools rugby: Tough going for Merchiston at festival weekend

MERCHISTON gave themselves a rigorous examination ahead of the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools Under-18 semi-finals next month by taking part in the two-day St Joseph’s National Schools Rugby Festival staged at Ipswich on Friday and Saturday.

The only Scottish side in the tournament, Merchiston acquitted themselves well, opening with a 7-5 win over Portsmouth Grammar School before losing narrowly to Newcastle Royal Grammar School by 7-10 and Whitchurch High School by 0-5.

Merchiston were denied a place in the Plate final on points difference after losing 15-0 to Dulwich College and 15-12 against Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Wakefield, but achieving a notable 28-12 victory over Colston’s School.

The Ipswich tournament ended a tough week for Merchiston that began with a 24-12 home win over Dollar Academy last Tuesday. Merchiston are already in the last four of the Brewin Dolphin Cup and are joined by the defending champions Stewart’s-Melville College, who beat Loretto 27-19 at Inverleith last week.

Yesterday’s semi-finals draw sees Merchiston play either Edinburgh Academy or Robert Gordon’s College, while Stewart’s-Melville meet George Watson’s or Hutchesons’ Grammar.

Stewart’s-Melville’s under-16 side lost 5-11 in their Cup quarter-final against George Watson’s College at Myreside last week. Watson’s only try came from Ben Robbins, their other points scored by Adam Hastings with two penalty goals.

Watson’s join Glasgow High School, who eliminated Edinburgh Academy with a 19-0 victory, and Dollar Academy, 10-5 winners over Merchiston in the semi-finals. The one remaining quarter-final between Heriot’s and Dundee High School goes ahead on 2 November.

In the Brewin Dolphin under-16 Plate, Bell-Baxter High School beat Glenalmond College 51-15, Knox Academy won on the ‘away’ rule after drawing 29-29 at Loretto and Jedburgh Grammar School beat Kelso High School 49-3. Elsewhere, Strathallan beat local rivals Glenalmond College 16-7.