Hamilton Rugby Club set for Under-16 National Bowl Final

Feb 18 2010 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

HAMILTON’S young Bulls overcame a determined and focused Clackmannanshire Colts side on Sunday, progressing to the Under-16 National Bowl Final.

The sides were evenly-matched for the first 20 minutes of the first half, but Hamilton’s pressure was starting to tell.

An injury to winger Marc Rodgers saw Matt Potter take the field and within two minutes the big winger crashed over for the opening try, although full-back Andy Wilson was just wide with the conversion attempt.

Hamilton resumed the attack shortly afterwards and Ben Humphries was unlucky not to score, but Potter grabbed his second try of the afternoon for 10-0.

Despite making what looked like a forward pass, Clackmannanshire got themselves on the scoresheet with a converted try for a 10-7 half-time score.

Hamilton came out in the second half determined to put some daylight between them and Clackmannanshire and did so with a brace of tries from inside-centre Scott Murray, both of which were converted by Wilson, while Clackmannanshire slotted a penalty for 24-10 with 12 minutes left.

Clackmannanshire threw everything into attack for the next five minutes, scoring twice in quick succession to reduce the deficit to 24-20 with seven minutes remaining.

Hamilton stepped up a gear, however, with Matt Potter crashing over for 29-20.

When Clackmannanshire conceded a penalty on the 10-metre line Hamilton elected for a kick at goal and, despite a tight angle, Wilson calmly slotted the 45-metre kick for the final 32-20 score-line.

Hamilton’s young Bulls are now heading to Murrayfield on Sunday for the final, against the winners of Wednesday’s semi-final between Cambuslang and Howe of Fife.

The club would appreciate as much support as possible for Sunday’s final, with full details available at: www.hamiltonrugbyclub.co.uk