LOMOND and Helensburgh Rugby's under-16s dramatically lost in the Scottish Schools’ Bowl final at Murrayfield last Wednesday.

After being 19-0 up at half-time thanks to tries from Angus Macleod, Bryn Davies and Angus Guy, the youngsters looked on course for an upset against favourites Hutchesons’ Grammar School.

But Hutchesons began to claw their way back into the game, and an injury to Guy disrupted the flow of the Lomond & Helensburgh side, and Hutchesons edged in front for the first time in the last few minutes of the game.

Hundreds travelled across to the capital from Lomond School and Helensburgh Rugby club, in what was the highest scoring final of the eight games at Murrayfield that day. Hutchesons’ started the stronger but with excellent defence from Macleod and Nick Fish, were denied any benefit from their pressure.

Lomond & Helensburgh eventually edged their way into the game with the ball working its way into the Hutchesons’ half.

From a lineout close to the Hutchesons line, Macleod pounced on a loose ball to open the scores, 5-0.

Bryn Davies then latched onto a loose pass to run the length of the field to score, converted by Guy for 12-0.

Guy was again on the scoreboard as he raced through untouched after a great piece of play by Fish.

Guy converted his own try and by half-time Lomond and Helensburgh were in the lead 19-0.

The second half saw tries and conversions by Hutchesons happen in uncomfortably quick succession, which saw the score jump to 19-12.

With the light fading, Lomond & Helensburgh were in attacking mode and Gus Byrn scored a try, converted by Guy, to make it 26-12. Soon after, Hutchesons scored and again narrowed the gap in the scoring to 26-17.

Guy was then forced off the field due to injury.

In the last quarter of an hour, Hutchesons’ converted a try under the posts to bring the score up to a tense 26-24.

Capitalising on the gaps in the Lomond & Helensburgh defence, Hutchesons’ made a concerted effort once more and scored a converted try in the very last minutes of the game.

The boys’ teamwork, determination and commitment was a credit to them, as well as Stuart Louden, Teacher of Rugby at Lomond School and Iain Fletcher, chairman of the youth section of Helensburgh Rugby.