With a squad of 50 to choose a pool of 22 from and playing in Scotland’s to club youth league, Hamilton were always going to be very tough opponents. Stewartry had 18 available from a total squad of 20, but confident from last two cup games where solid defence kept two clean sheets.
Stewartry Under 18’s – 0
Hamilton Under 18’s – 7
Hamilton’s big pack came at Stewartry hard and fast, but they could not penetrate the tough tackling blacks who seen these days to enjoy tackling as much as attacking. The big kicking Hamilton Number 10 kept pinning Stewartry back into their 22 and eventually the blacks defence was broken and Hamilton scored in the corner and with a strong wind at his back the Hamilton 10 easily slotted the conversion 0-7 to Hamilton.
Playing with a better wind advantage in the second half Stewartry had the upper hand of Hamilton playing in the Hamilton half for the rest of the match. Only poor choices and decision making without looking up at what options were available stopped Stewartry from scoring on two or three occasions. Despite Hamilton bringing on 7 fresh players and Stewartry only 3 the blacks finished the stronger team and Hamilton realised how lucky they were to sneak a win.
Impossible to give a man of the match for this one as every Stewartry player put their body on the line. Very well done to new cap Ben Perkins who put a huge tackle in on the large Hamilton number 10 to stop a potential break away try. Stewartry Centre Ben Spence had a tremendous game, tackling as hard as ever and showing great temperament and control when it was required.
The Blacks finish 2nd in their cup section and qualify for the semi-final of the West of Scotland Youth Shield on Saturday 24th March. It is hoped a friendly will be arranged with Cumnock RFC at home next Saturday 17th March.
Stewartry Squad:
> Murray Wright
> Finlay Smith
> Archie Picken
> Andrew Budde
> Connor McGuire
> Gregor Todd
> Gregor Hamblin
> Alasdair Hannay (Captain)
> Ryan Cochrane
> Archie Nicolson
> Lochlann Spence
> Ben Spence
> Tommy McGrath
> Kieren McGuire
> Tom Allan
> Ben Perkins
> Frazer Potts
> Alistair Wood
