Congratulations to young Ayr stars Robbie Fergusson, Burns Singh and James Stirling who all played their part in an exciting Glasgow Under 17s victory against their Edinburgh counterparts at Murrayfield last night. The match was part of the National Selection Trials (formerly the District Tournament) and was Glasgow’s second win having beaten Caledonia the week before.

Back to the Ayr players’ performances though and not even the immediate prospect of a Higher Maths Prelim for Robbie (full back & vice captain) and the Modern Studies equivalent for Burns (wing) today could take the gloss off their solid work in defence and, more important, cutting edge and pace in attack. However, substitute James Stirling (wing) who has been out with injury for a long time decided to steal the show with a piece of individual brilliance in the dying minutes of the game when he chipped the ball over his opposite number, rounded him on the other side, and won the footrace against all the Edinburgh scramble defence to touch down in the corner. Although the try was unconverted it eased the final score to Glasgow 26 Edinburgh 20.

Glasgow U17s Head Coach, Peter Laverie, was pleased with the efforts of his players. “ I thought this was a very good performance from both teams and an excellent advert for youth rugby. There was a lot of creativity, aggression and pace on display out there and the two sides worked hard to play some decent rugby. “

The Glasgow team spurned a few try-scoring chances right at the start of the game, but the players persevered and with two cracking team tries finished off by Stewart Hamilton, and a third from the outside break expert lock Callum Templeton Glasgow went into the break leading 21-10. Fair play to Edinburgh they came storming back into the second half and only a well-organised and stalwart defence held them out. Eventually the Capital side’s efforts paid off with a pressure try and then a late penalty. The 21 – 20 scoreline seemed to galvanize Glasgow and they found both territory and their go-forward mentality and set up a thrilling finish. The team from the west launched a few searing attacks and Edinburgh defended well in fact turning Glasgow over twice and sending the ball back into their half. Finally some great continuity play got Glasgow deep into the Edinburgh half on the left side and up popped James Stirling to do his magic. Admission to Murrayfield was free to supporters last night and those who witnessed this game were certainly entertained and got more than their money’s worth!

Glasgow Under 17s Squad



NAME CLUB School



15. Robbie Fergusson Ayr RFC Wellington School
14. Rory Hughes GHA RFC -
13. Christopher Auld Dumfries RFC Austin Friars School
12. Cameron McCall Hillhead/Jordanhill RFC Glasgow Academy
11. Burns Singh Ayr RFC Wellington School
10. David Scott GHA Wallace High School
9. Scott Steele Dumfries RFC Dumfries Academy
1. Jonathan Agnew Hillhead/Jordanhill RFC Boclair Academy
2. Aidan MacMillan Hillhead/Jordanhill RFC St.Aloysius College
3. Craig Williamson GHA RFC Hillpark Secondary
4. Callum Templeton Dumfries RFC -
5. Adam Barnett GHA RFC Mearns Castle HS
6. Michael Nellaney Cartha QP RFC Holyrood Secondary
7. Christopher Mulligan (C) Biggar RFC Biggar High School
8. Stewart Hamilton Cartha QP RFC Shawlands Academy
16. Joe McQuade Hamilton RFC St. Aloysius College
17. Ryan Barr Kilmarnock RFC Stewarton Academy
18. Jamie Graham Dumfries RFC Dumfries Academy
19. Michael Vernel Allan Glens RFC St. Aloysius College
20. Scott Houston Cumnock RFC -
21. Euan Larter Hillhead/Jordanhill RFC Hyndland Secondary
22. James Stirling Ayr RFC Kyle Academy


Head Coach: Peter Laverie (Ayr RFC)
Backs Coach: Keith Robertson (Hillhead/Jordanhill RFC)
Forwards Coach: Richard Maxton (Hamilton RFC)
Manager: Brian Rookley