Shire U16s beat Deeside in Caley Cup semi final

Apr 1 2011 by Iain Howie, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

Shire U16 56

Deeside5

BIG Sunday Showtime lived up to its billing with Perthshire U16s putting in an awesome display of attacking rugby to run out 56–5 winners against brave Deeside in this semi-final of the Caledonia Cup.

The firm dry Inch pitch provided a stage for running rugby – and boy did they run. With Peter Bruce Wooton away with Caley it was Connor Sutherland who stepped up to play at 10; he was Shire’s D’Artagnan.

The first try of the half came with prop David Hill taking the ball 10 metres out and bludgeoning his way over with what seemed half of Deeside hanging off him; the second was speed merchant Scott Alcorns, the third Steven Motts and the fourth David Peddies. Ciaran Cassidy had his best game, scoring a much-cheered and deserved try – Shire’s fifth – as well as putting in some important tackling on the wing.

The scoring glut did no credit to Deeside who never said die and went through phases showing skill, strength and bravery and persistently got themselves up and determined after each Shire score.

The second half saw the visitors come out strong and Shire were contained for a period.

The first Shire try of the second period went to David Peddie and the seventh came from Stuart MacGill.

Midway through the second half Ruaridh Sutherland and BJ came on, providing fresh legs, and impetus and the momentum of the game did not falter.

Although Deeside tackled well, Perthshire tackled better – Big D, Coutts, MacGill and Ewan in particular showed the way.

The running did not stop either with the eighth try going to Ben Vardi, the ninth to Scott Alcorn and, appropriately, the tenth and final score went to Connor Sutherland who capped a great performance with a flamboyant swallow dive to befit the celebration.

The Caledonia League and Cup format, along with the academy and Caley arrangements, have provided Scotland’s regional teams with a structured sense of the national rugby scene and will undoubtedly help to produce fine players for the future.

The development of the Shire U16s has been incredible.

Final day is April 10 in Inverness.