Helensburgh Rugby Club: Youth section set for semi-final action this weekend

The Burgh U15s ended their group stage fixtures with a 52-24 defeat at home to Whitecraigs last weekend – but now have the prospect of a Bowl semi-final against Dalziel to look forward to this Sunday.

With low numbers in both squads it was decided to play 13-a-side, but the Burgh squad – not for the first time – were slower to start and Whitecraigs scored two tries in quick succession.

A real focus on tackling saw Burgh hold on to much more of the ball and set up full back Shaun Callan to break up the right wing and spin out of the last tackle for the Greens’ first try.

And an all-out attacking approach for the home team, with great carries from Lee, Mace, Jonathan, Ethan and Ewan, culminated in a long pass from scrum-half Tom McClearn taking out two defenders and setting up Euan Branch for Helensburgh’s second score of the afternoon.

Helensburgh Rugby Club’s under-15s in action against Whitecraigs at Ardencaple

Whitecraigs responded with a third try of their own, but just before the break Burgh fought their way back up the pitch and a strong finish from Rhuairidh Hall levelled the scores at half-time.

Whitecraigs scored two more quick tries at the start of the second hald, and though another great line break from Ewan McCartney and a strong finish saw Ben Grayson score a great team try – his first after four seasons of rugby! - an interception and another kick and chase saw out the game for Whitecraigs.

Special mention must go to Ewan McCartney for his line breaks but player of the match was Harry Kemp for his leadership and phenomenal work rate.

Helensburgh Rugby Club's under-15s in action against Whitecraigs at Ardencaple

Burgh’s Bowl semi-final against Dalziel will be played away from home this Sunday, March 20, with a 2pm kick-off.

If you’re interested in giving the sport a try, come along to training at Ardencaple on Thursday night with a pair of boots, a mouth guard, a top and a pair of shorts and you’ll be made most welcome.

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Elsewhere, Helensburgh’s under-16s finished their own West Cup pool fixtures on a high note with a fine 43-10 win away to Strathaven in windy conditions.

Burgh started off with great intensity: from a penalty, noticing an overlap, Alex Brown took a quick tap and Tom Fleming sent it to winger Thomas Pretty, who dotted down for his first ever try.

Burgh kept up the pressure and after quick tap penalties, Rhys Elias crossed over from a close-range pick and go – and, continuing the direct running from the previous week’s narrow loss to East Kilbride, Burgh crossed the line again with simple work through the hands, Rory Dunlop crossing over for his first of the day.

Action from a 43-10 win for Helensburgh's under-16s away to Strathaven (Photo - Solomon Blake)

Strathaven responded well and eventually broke Burgh’s superb defence for their first try, but an interception score from Matthew Smith-Ballantyne saw the visitors add a fourth.

Despite some great tackling from the Burgh team, a relentless series of pick-and-goes from the hosts earned Strathaven their second try just before the break to leave the Greens 24-10 ahead at half-time.

Some great defending from both teams meant 20 scoreless minutes at the start of the second half, with Harry Chan and Alex Tacchi putting in some fine tackles and Mackenzie Nielson and Mikey Miller making big carries and getting across the gain line.

Action from a 43-10 win for Helensburgh's under-16s away to Strathaven (Photo - Solomon Blake)

A great driving tackle started by Rory Dunlop prevented a third Strathaven try and led to a Helensburgh turnover which Tom Fleming, using the wind, cleared to relieve the pressure.

Helensburgh’s fitness showed in the closing stages and they added three more tries late in the game: Oscar Deighan gathered and scored after a loose pass was kicked on, before Dunlop scored his second after some superb sniping round the side of rucks by David Crombie set up a great break.

Helensburgh took their try count to seven with the last play of the game with Rhyes Elias using his strength and power to go over for his second score.

Action from a 43-10 win for Helensburgh's under-16s away to Strathaven (Photo - Solomon Blake)

This game really highlighted how defence wins you matches, and attack decides by how many. Every player is improving week by week and the hard work done in training is showing in matches to create exciting, quick, attacking rugby.

The next match for the U16s will be the West Quaich semi-final away to Whitecraigs this Sunday, March 20 (kick-off 2pm).

At under-14 level, a depleted Lomond/Helensburgh squad put in a stalwart team performance to overcome the loss of two early tries away to Strathendrick/Balfron on Sunday.

Action from a 43-10 win for Helensburgh's under-16s away to Strathaven (Photo - Solomon Blake)

Despite wet and muddy conditions which worsened in the second half, and despite only having one substitute, the Lomond/Helensburgh squad switched up a gear after the break and turned a 12-0 deficit into a 19-12 win against a much larger squad.

Helensburgh’s under-13s were beaten 38-3 away to their Strathendrick counterparts on Sunday: a magnificent seven Burgh boys, helped by the hosts kindly lending a few players, put in a shift, with several playing out of position, but Strathendrick were a bit more cohesive in a game which soon turned into a mudfest for both teams.

Action from a 43-10 win for Helensburgh's under-16s away to Strathaven (Photo - Solomon Blake)

Helensburgh’s under-18s lost in a development fixture at home to Balfron/Strathendrick on Saturday, but will look to put that behind them when they travel to Waysiders/Drumpellier for their West Regional Shield semi-final this Saturday, March 19.

Kick-off at St Andrew’s High School in Coatbridge is at 12 noon.