The youngest of all the Hawks, the fledgling S1 group, claimed their place at the National S1 Age Group Finals day at Murrayfield on Sunday 25 March by convincingly winning their final qualifying game today by 30 points to 3 (nine tries and three conversions to one try in S1 scoring language) against Marr S1s at Old Anniesland this afternoon.

The S1 side had, the previous week, won the Glasgow North qualifying tournament, conceding only one try over the course of the afternoon and were playing Marr as runners up from the Glasgow South tournament.

In dreich playing conditions Hawks played good rugby from start to finish. Both teams were clapped onto the pitch by a 'guard of honour' from the GHK Mini Rugby section and this seemed to inspire the Hawks who attacked straight from the kick off and were quickly on the score sheet..

Both sides played the game with great commitment but very much within the spirit of rugby. Although Hawks were comfortable winners on the day Marr competed for the whole game and were rewarded with a late try.

No doubt sterner tests lie ahead at Murrayfield in two weeks' time, but the spirit and camaraderie that this team has built up, with many of them having played together for five years, should stand them in good stead.

The squad are very grateful to Nick Cox and Rob Holdsworth for giving up their time to watch the game and provide some very constructive feedback afterwards. The comment that the 'big Hawks' could learn from the way the ball was played out of contact was particularly well received!

Congratulations to all involved - , the team's dedicated coaches, Alastair Mill and Niall Hastie, the loyal and enthusiastic parents and families, the background squad who ensure that things ran smoothly today and throughout the season but, most of all, to the whole squad of players who have worked hard (and had a lot of fun doing so) to reach the standard they played at today. It's typical of the squad's attitude that they felt they could have played better today and are looking to improve in key areas.

Enjoy your day in the sun at Murrayfield - you deserve it.

This article was posted on 11-Mar-2007, 23:33 by Hugh Barrow.