Cumbernauld pupils make impression on Glasgow Warriors rugby stars

The team, made up of S1 and S2 boys as well as an under-15 girls’ team, were treated to some pre-match advice from Glasgow Warriors players Adam Ashe, Duncan Weir and Zander Fagerson as well as Scotland women’s internationals Megan Gaffney and Jade Konkel, before they took to the field.

The team were pipped to the post for a place in the semi-finals, as Shawlands Academy triumphed in an enthralling round of quarter-final matches that also saw Oban High School and Garnock Academy narrowly miss out.

But Warriors star Ashe said: “St Maurice’s High School should be really proud of their performance as they worked hard and showed brilliant skill on an exciting day of rugby.

“Hopefully today will have given them a taste of what it’s like to play at the grounds of a professional club and I hope to see them back as part of next year’s tournament.”

The tournament is part of a drive by Warriors and their sponsors ScottishPower to help identify future stars of Scottish rugby and provide further opportunities for pupils to take part in rugby at a grass roots level across the West of Scotland.

Cumbernauld MSP and Minister for Sport Jamie Hepburn is among those who have welcomed the new initiative.

He said: “Anything that increases the number of children taking part in sport has to be a good thing, and getting the opportunity to play at Scotstoun will be a great experience for all of these young players.”

Meanwhile international rugby came to Cumbernauld again last week when Scotland’s women and under-20 sides took on France in Six Nations matches at Broadwood on Friday night.

The women’s side went down 24-0 while the under-20s were also beaten, losing 36-21.