Nine teams compete in second X-Conference event

Scottish Rugby hosted nine teams representing schools and clubs across Scotland for a day of competition at Oriam on Saturday in the second X-Conference event.

Following a successful first edition last year four schools and five clubs competed in 20-minute matches under Age-Grade Law Variations developed by Scottish Rugby’s Academies, promoting the Technical Blueprint in a format designed to focus on player and coach development.

Having enjoyed success within the Mitsubishi Motors Youth and Schools Conferences earlier in the season the clubs and schools embraced the opportunity to challenge themselves against teams they don’t normally play against, with skills development to the fore.

Stirling County, Boroughmuir, Mackie, Hawick Youth and Currie Chieftains lined up with Marr College, George Watson’s School, Stewart’s Melville School and Merchiston Castle School on the day.

The sides competed across three pools of three teams on both the indoor and outdoor pitches, before progressing to a second round of group matches based on results in the first round of fixtures.

The standard of play and competitiveness of fixtures was high throughout with parents and supporters treated to some fantastic tries through the open expansive approach encouraged by the law variations.

Results were not the main focus of the day, but Merchiston Castle School came out on top following some exceptional performances in both the Preliminary and Placing Group fixtures.

Scottish Rugby’s Caledonia Midlands Regional Director Steve Turnbull said: “It was a really good event again and we received positive feedback from players and coaches alike.

“The event is very much in line with the player centred, development driven, competition supported approach Rugby Development promote for creating positive environments within clubs and schools and provided another opportunity to raise the profile of the good work being done in the Mitsubishi Motors Conferences.

The players really embraced the focus on speed, skills and increasing ball in time play so I think it was a beneficial day all round.”

Results can be found on the Scottish Rugby website at https://www.scottishrugby.org/fixtures-and-results/schools-and-youth-clubs/