LOMOND and Helensburgh Rugby Club’s youth sections are back in action this Saturday, October 29 – and the club’s under-18s face a big game which will help decide the competition they play at in the next phase of the season.

The U18s’ match at home to St Columba’s School was cancelled last month after the death of the Queen, but the rescheduled game is a grudge match in more ways than one.

Not only is it a conference fixture, but the result will also help determine whether the Lomond and Helensburgh squad play in the Shield, Bowl or Plate competition later in the campaign.

With depleted numbers, the U16s go into their home game, also against St Columba’s, hoping for no injuries while continuing their efforts to recruit new players.

Both matches get under way at Ardencaple at 9.30am.

The U15, U14 and U13 squads are all away from home this Saturday, also against St Columba’s, with the U15 squad looking to continue their fine recent form and the U14s and U13s continuing to develop their rugby and their skills. Those matches also get under way at 9.30am.

Youth convener Ian Smith said: “The next few weeks are very busy for youth rugby at Helensburgh RFC; each weekend for the whole of November there is at least one youth team playing at home, and they would love your support and cheering.

“Don’t worry about being cold – the club kit shop has bobble hats in club colours you can buy!”

Meanwhile, Helensburgh’s two P6/7 teams made the short trip to Loch Lomond on Sunday and came away with a pair of comprehensive wins – 16-2 in the first match and 16-4 in the second, playing some brilliant rugby in good ‘old school’ muddy conditions.

Helensburgh’s senior XV saw their league match at home to Isle of Mull on Saturday postponed after disruption to the ferry timetable meant the visitors were unable to travel, with a training game organised at Ardencaple instead.

The league season is now on hold until November 26 to make way for Scotland’s autumn internationals, but Helensburgh have filled the first of those gaps by arranging a social friendly at home to Kilmarnock RFC’s over-35s this Saturday, October 29.

Kick-off is at 12 noon and the clubhouse will remain open after the match in plenty of time for the Scotland v Australia match at Murrayfield, which gets under way at 5.30pm.