Currie Colts 13 Stirling County 34

Stirling County retained the National Under-18 Youth Cup with a heady mix of forward aggression and slick running and handling from their backs against a spirited Currie side at Murrayfield tonight.

Watched by a vocal crowd of 1,272, it was the eighth time that Stirling had triumphed in this competition, confirming their reputation as one of the prolific nurseries of talent in the domestic game.

Stirling County coach, Bob McGowan, said: “Once we got the ball beyond ten we made a lot of dangerous runs because we’ve got a bit of pace and guys who can finish.
 
“Two years on the trot is never easy, it’s great to be part of it as you can see from looking at the boys just now.”

The night began brightly for the holders as stand-off and captain Stuart Edwards crossed for the opening try after three minutes, centre Mark Marchbank having done much of the spade work.  Edwards converted his own score.

Currie’s captain, Alan Whittingham, gave an equally forthright lead to his team, landing a 45 metre penalty with some ease after five minutes, but, thereafter County began to dominate possession and launch the big artillery in their back division.

Off scrum ball, a No 8 pick-up and then a probing run from scrum-half Sean Kennedy, Glen Bryce thundered in from full-back for their second try for a 12-3 lead after 10 minutes.

Unselfishly, Bryce turned provider for the third try, unleashing his right winger Craig Robertson, and before the first quarter had elapsed, Kennedy had dotted down their fourth try, Andrew Ritchie’s charge off lineout ball a key part of the preamble.

Whittingham’s second penalty when County infringed twice in their own 22 in successive plays at least put the Edinburgh District side into the half-time break in better heart.

Half-time: Currie Colts 6 Stirling County 24

The second-half saw Currie attempt to counter, often from deep but Stirling had just too much firepower, a view endorsed when centre Danny Gilmour, like some prize welterweight boxer, bobbed and weaved through heavy traffic for their fifth try.

Currie, deservedly pulled back one score, lively prop Dennis Pech touching down for Whittingham to convert.

But County had the final word when replacement back Robbie Hogg blazed away for their sixth try.

Currie Colts manager, Bob Ormiston, said: “We had an excellent second half but started a wee bit slowly, maybe gave Stirling too much respect but as the game went on they realised they could compete and I think they did very, very well considering the vast majority of this team will be back next year. I’m really pleased and very proud of the team.
 
“Our aim is to come back next season and with this team staying together I think we’ve got a very good chance of coming back and doing the club proud again – we had a great support tonight and a huge thank-you to our support and the Stirling supporters for coming down and for making it  great night and great atmosphere.”

Currie Colts under-18
 
15 Jamie Girvan
 
14 Mick Smith
13 Alan Whittingham CAPTAIN
12 Ben Shearer
11 Anthony Pert
 
10 Robert Weaver
9 Gregor Portous
 
1 Denis Pech
2 Fergus Scott
3 Andy Philp
4 Ben Craven
5 Calum Ormiston
6 Irving Hastie
7 Duncan Hebson
8 Aaron Ferguson
 
Replacements
Grant Donaldson
Calum Sharp
Scott Thomson
Ross Wilson  
Ken Watson
Dohan Lexow
Mark McWilliam
 
Stirling County under-18
 
15 Glen Bryce
 
14 Craig Robertson
13 Daniel Gilmour
12 Mark Marchbank
11 Euan Laverty
 
10 Stuart Edwards
9 Sean Kennedy
 
1 Fraser Smith
2 Stewart Hiddleston
3 Graeme Simpson
4 James Spray
5 Mark Cattigan
6 Stewart Mcculloch
7 Robbie Boswell
8 Andrew Ritchie
 
Substitutes
16 Gregor Mcintosh
17 Nicky Fail
18 Kyle Dalziel
19 Grant Smith
20 Andy Parker
21 Robbie Hogg
22 Jamie Anderson