The Scotsman reports

Glasgow Hawsk U16 43 - 29 Stirling County U16: Hawks youngsters power to cup glory
Published: 30 April 2012

AFTER a disappointing season at senior level, Glasgow Hawks gave positive signs of an upturn in fortunes with victory over Stirling County in the final of the RBS Youth Under-16 Cup on the international pitch at Murrayfield yesterday.


In an impressive performance of power forward play and exciting running behind the scrum, Hawks ran in seven tries, two by stand-off Jamie Loomes who was named as the RBS man of the match. Loomes, who is a pupil at Cathkin High School, the alma mater of Scotland cap Duncan Weir, also kicked four conversions to finish with a total of 18 points.

Loomes, together with his half-back partner Gavin Roberts, controlled the game maturely, allowing attacking runners James Couper, Oscar Welch and Leo Milton to express their talents. “The squad has worked very hard this season and this was a deserved result,” said Hawks team manager Graeme Davidson. “We will now have good momentum for next season at under 18 level.”

Stirling, too, played their part in a quality final, their refusal to buckle in the face of Hawks’ flurry of second-half scores making the match an intriguing contest. Stirling were the quicker out of the blocks with an opening move that ended with a penalty kick by Gavin Tainsh but two converted tries by Loomes to a converted try by centre Jacob Adamson left Hawks ahead 14-10 at the break.

Hawks opened up a 14-point gap with tries from centre Jack Mooney and wing Welch before Stirling hit back with scores from prop Adam Wood (two) and wing Hamish Innes. However, with Hawks running in tries by Roberts, Couper and replacement Greg Cunning, it was the Old Anniesland team that finished worthy winners.

Scorers: Hawks: Tries: Loomes (2), Mooney, Welch, Roberts, Couper, Cunning; Cons: Loomes (4); Stirling County: Tries: Adamson, Wood (2), Innes; Cons: Tainsh (3); Pen: Tainsh.

Glasgow Hawks: J Couper; O Welch, G Thomson, J Mooney, L Milton; J Loomes, G Roberts, P Mulholland, P McAlear, L Hannah, J Sim, C Kiddie, A Neilson, J Lowson, A Davidson. Subs: J Donaldson, J Gilius, R Swanson, A Ram, G Cunning, F Waddell.

Stirling County: A Howells; O Wesley, J Adamson, J Towers, H Innes; G Tainsh, C Jardine; M Semple, D Dineen, A Wood, M Duncan, L Wynne, D Arthur, L Hetman, M Smith Subs: L Clayson, R Baird, C Blaney, E Boyle, G Black, C Adam, A Crawford.

Referee: J-M Bruel

This article was posted on 30-Apr-2012, 06:26 by Hugh Barrow.