Rugby by John Preece
As reported in the Sports section, Cardiff Blues beat Edinburgh on Friday 29-22 to climb up to ninth in the RaboDirect PRO12 table. However, the losing bonus point, gained by Edinburgh raised them by one place to seventh and in with a chance of European Cup rugby next season. With four matches left in the current season, they cannot now qualify for the play-offs, but can still move up a place, to sixth, if results go their way.
The 124th running of the Melrose Sevens took place on Saturday and The Edinburgh Reporter’s rugby man was nearly there. A ruptured piece of radiator hose prevented a live attendance so a summary will have to do…
As has been mentioned previously, all six of Edinburgh’s top rugby sides were playing and Watsonians, by dint of being second in the Border’s ‘King of the Sevens’ series, had a bye through to the second round.
Currie, Boroughmuir, Heriots and Edinburgh Accies all won through, with Stew-Mel going down to Currie.
The second round saw wins for Boroughmuir and Heriots, both beating invitational sides, while Currie were beaten by eventual winners, Glasgow Warriors. In the second last tie, Edinburgh Accies beat Watsonians to end the Myreside men’s hopes of getting further.
The quarter-final saw Heriots drawn against Boroughmuir and Accies playing Clermont. Heriots fought past ‘Muir in a thrilling 24-17 match, whilst the result of the day had to belong to Edinburgh Accies who put Clermont away to the tune of 35-12.
The semi-finals lined up with the Warriors against Heriots and Accies against home side, Melrose. Heriots started well, keeping their professional opponents in sight for all of a couple of minutes with an early try, before class, fitness, size, etc. won through and Glasgow went on to take the win 38-10, Heriots scoring another try late on.
In the other semi-final, Melrose were probably favourites to win, but Accies took a 17-0 lead before Melrose could answer with a score of their own. However, it was Accies all the way and the Raeburn Place men took the win, 22-5.
Accies v Warriors in the Final. Could they…..? Well… no. Warriors scored an early try, which Alex Blair replied to by selling an outrageous dummy to the Glasgow defence, but once Matawalu and his mates got into their stride, it was all but over by half time at 33-7. The second half was a bit of a, relative, disappointment with only one try apiece – Accies scoring first – to see the final whistle blown on a 40-14 scoreline.
So, at the end of the day, class won through and Glasgow Warriors were worthy Winners on this, their first year at Melrose.
Football
Hearts’ wait for a possible route to exit administration continues as creditors of major shareholder UBIG have agreed to transfer their 50% holding to BIDCO, but no deal has yet been reached regarding the 29% shares held by Ukio Bankas, which holds a charge on Tynecastle Stadium.
Talks will continue between lawyers representing the failed Lithuanian bank and Hearts’ administrators are expected to continue this week.
Hearts U20s saw off Kilmarnock U20s with a 3-0 win at Tynecastle on Saturday to advance through to the Final of the Scottish Youth Cup where they will face either Rangers or St Mirren.
A first half double for Dale Carrick and a goal from Sam Nicholson secured the victory in front of 1578 supporters.
Hearts: Hamilton; Paterson, Gordon, McGhee, L. Smith; King, Scott, Beith (Simpson, 88′), Nicholson (Flanagan, 85′); Oliver (Buchanan, 80′), Carrick. Subs: Sneddon, Ford.
Scottish Sun Lowland League
Spartans made another huge step towards the title following a 2-1 win away to Whitehill Welfare.
Steven Manson gave the home side the lead in the 24th minute then just before half time Willie Bremner was brought down inside the box by Mike Bruce who was shown a yellow card rather than a red one despite denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity.
The prolific Keith McLeod fired the resultant penalty high into the net to level the scores with what was to be the last kick of the first half.
In the 71st minute Jack Beesley’s free kick found Willie Bremner at the back post. His header found John Grant who netted what proved to be the winner.
With time running out, Whitehill’s Gareth Thom was shown a straight red card for foul and abusive language towards the stand-side Assistant Ref.
Spartans held on for the win which means that only Vale of Leithen can prevent them winning the inaugural Lowland League title on goal difference.
Malt & Hops Man of the Match: Willie Bremner.
Elsewhere
Edinburgh City 4-0 Selkirk
Gretna 2008 1-2 Gala Fairydean Rovers
Vale of Leithen 4-0 Threave Rovers
Scottish Sun Lowland League Cup, Semi-Finals
Dalbeattie Star 1-3 Preston Athletic
East Kilbride 0-1 University of Stirling
East of Scotland League Central Taxis Premier Division
Heriot-Watt University 1-2 Coldstream
Lothian Thistle HV 3-2 Craigroyston
Stirling University 0-1 Civil Service Strollers
Tynecastle 3-2 Leith Athletic
East of Scotland League Central Taxis First Division
Berwick Rangers Reserves 1-1 Burntisland
Easthouses Lily MW 2-0 Kelso
Hawick Royal Albert 0-3 Hibernian
Peebles Rovers 1-1 Eyemouth United
Speedway
Scotwaste Monarchs scored a big win over Workington Comets at Armadale on Friday night by 55 to 38. Comets held in close during the first half of the meeting and Monarchs were just two points up after heat 8. Craig Cook scored a paid maximum and Josh Grajczonek top scored for the Comets. Derek Sneddon withdrew from the meeting after his second ride with a back injury.
Basketball
Clark Eriksson Fury retained their league title having gone all season unbeaten to be crowned Senior Men League winners for two years running.
Clark Eriksson Fury the U18 Men league title.
City of Edinburgh Kool Kats won both the Senior Women and U18 women league titles.
St Mirren West College Scotland won their third consecutive U16 women league title.
Dunfermline Reign took the U16 Men’s league title.
Hockey
As part of Scottish Hockey’s Legacy campaign, Hockey Generation, we are pleased to announce a new club element – Have a Go @ Hockey.
To assist clubs to take advantage of the increased interest anticipated around the Commonwealth Games, Scottish Hockey is offering club grants to support the delivery of introductory hockey events in July & August. This project is made possible due to support from the Award for All Lottery Funding.
Grants of £100 can be used for facility and coach costs at either adult or junior introductory events. All successful applicants will also receive publicity materials to help promote their event locally. The events must be separate to normal club activities and provide specifically for those new to the game (or with very limited experience). Adult sessions can incorporate ‘back to hockey’ as well as newcomers. The sessions should then provide a link to regular club activity.
Clubs may apply for up to 2 grants for 2 separate events where adults and juniors are being targeted separately. Multiple grants will only be provided where demand allows.
The grants are open to affiliated clubs, development groups and Districts. Applications for support must be submitted by Friday 2nd May and grant notifications will be made by 16th May. Where the number of applications received is greater than the grants available, support will be allocated based on a geographic balance and the strength of applications against the following criteria.
Proposed events should meet the following criteria:
•Must take place in July or August 2014.
•Must be delivered by qualified coaches.
•Preference will be given to clubs who cater for male, female and juniors (or who can provide linked activity in conjunction with other clubs).
•Provide a link to appropriate follow-on club activities.
•Must be aimed at newcomers to hockey.
•Must be new activity (not replacement funding for existing training or open day).
•Sessions should include skills introduction and games elements in a fun and relaxed environment. Junior sessions should follow the STIX model.
•Clubs must promote sessions locally (template resources will be provided).
•Clubs must provide session details to Scottish Hockey by 6th June for national promotion. All events will be listed in a national calendar on Scottish Hockey’s website.
•Successful applicants must complete a short online report following the activity.
In order to apply, download the short application form by Friday 2nd May and send it through to jamie.frail@scottish-hockey.org.uk
Photograph by John Preece
http://www.photoboxgallery.com/jlp-photography
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
