Scone retain title at Perthshire touch rugby tournament

Jul 4 2008 by Les Stewart, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

THE cold, wet conditions didn’t dampen the spirits of the 15 teams who battled out the final rounds of this year’s Perthshire RUFC Touch Rugby Competition.

And there was plenty of “heat” generated in some of the tighter fixtures.

As predicted, Scone completed all 14 games with a 100 per cent. record and retained their Super Cup title.

The team comprising of many of this year’s 1stXV, and a little sprinkle of Welsh professionalism, produced 25 tries on the night – and Andy Elder, the team captain, was delighted with his side’s efforts.

“It has been a great squad effort over the last five-six weeks and the boys have shown a steely determination throughout the competition,” he said.

Asked about next year, Andy added: “We will be back to defend our title. We are already planning next’s years training dates.

“Three in a row would be great and, who knows, they may even let us keep the trophy.”

At the other end of the table, a valiant effort by the Flying “V” side meant they overtook the W-Beats and Scottish Hydro to take third spot and consign the latter to the wooden spoon position.

Dollar confirmed their runners-up spot but it was their final game against The UnTouchables that proved to be the most dramatic match of the night.

Going into the final round of matches, the challenges from the Mullets, Colts and Waterboys had died away leaving Glenalmond and The UnTouchables as the two remaining sides in contention for the Social League title.

Glenalmond faced Scottish Hydro, requiring a win, and The UnTouchables faced Dollar, needing just a draw to take the honours.

At the change-over the school side had a 3-0 lead and victory was assured. But the Dollar/UnTouchables was a tense affair with just one score each going into the last few minutes of the game.

A break by Jimmy White and Stuart Souter was thwarted metres from the Dollar line and, in the scramble to get the ball away, a long pass was intercepted by the Dollar winger who cut inside.

He evaded the desperate tackles of Erin and Fiona, the youngest members of the UnTouchables, to score in the far corner.

With the final whistle bringing the game to an end, Glenalmond had been crowned Social League Champions.

At the prize-giving ceremony afterwards, there was some consolation for the Mullets as Lysa Coburn was named female player of the tournament and Scott Souter of Dollar was male player of the tournament.

Amanda Brown, from Capability Scotland, was presented with a cheque for £300 from this year’s organisers to help support the excellent care offered at Capers Cottage in Scone.

Many thanks to all who officiated over the last few weeks and the organisers look forward to the return of all the teams next year.