Stirling touch

The Scottish Regional Championship took place in Edinburgh on 23rd August.

2009 was a packed year with many club and national events, the Mainland Cup and Home Nations had not long passed when the regional championships arrived on an uncharacteristically wet and chilly August day. There hadn’t been much time for Stirling Men and Women to prepare for this annual competition to find the nations best regional team. A competition traditionally dominated by Edinburgh and the showcase event for Scotland selection we wanted to put a marker down for the lads and lassies out with the capital. Additional training was put on for Stirling players after regular midweek training and a hastily arranged final Friday night session before the tournament to put the guys through their final paces.

The Stirling ladies travelled to Glasgow to train with their soon to be team mates. Four Stirling girls made the journey; Ruth Wilson, Karen Johnson, Jill Baird and Yvonne Jardine all teamed up with Glasgow to create a very competitive combined Regional side.

A strong mens team was put together with a blend of experience, pace and youth. I’ll let you decide who fits into what category from the following team list:  Euan Kerr, Gordon Kerr, Paul Trevis-Smith, Simon Trevis-Smith, Stuart Smith, Jon Creasey, Colin Jardine (capt), Gregor McGregor, Larry Irwin, Doug Paton, Jamie Lawrence, Rich Clinghan.  Unfortunately two players in contention picked up injuries just before the tournament but provided very welcome support from sidelines; Phil Leeks and Stuart Imrie.  

Both sides opened up against tournament favourites Edinburgh. The ladies putting up a sterling fight against the capital side but ultimately going down by eight scores to zero. The men faired little better also getting caught cold against Edinburgh A and conceding another two on top of the ladies score. A double figure 10:0 defeat not the ideal start to the competition although the second half performance was vastly improved and there were glimpses of better things to come.  

The ladies regrouped and came out fighting in their next match, there’s no substitute for game time and building on their experience from the opening match they drove the ball well and defended tenaciously to post a deserved 3:0 victory against Edinburgh B. High fives all round! A great scalp to take and just the fillip the gals needed.  

Pressure was on the guys now to keep the momentum going and they had a similarly tough fixture against Edinburgh B (do you see a scheduling pattern? ….) This was an absolute thriller with the momentum switching throughout the game. The teams were locked at six scores apiece with seconds to go when a well worked move saw the ball shipped quickly to the right wing where Euan dived in at the corner for the winner; Miller time and the show was back on the road!  

CONTINUE....

 

 

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