North Berwick edge Dunbar Grammar in Regional Bowl U16 Final played at Murrayfield.
Players, coaches and supporters from North Berwick HS and Dunbar Grammar made the trip to Murrayfield back pitches for the highly anticipated U16 Regional Bowl Final. North Berwick were trying to emulate their U18 team who beat Preston Lodge earlier in the season in the U18 Regional Bowl Final. The Dunbar team were trying to go one step further having come close to winning national silverware in recent seasons.
The game was a very intense and physical affair with plenty of big hits from both teams. The early stages of the game were dominated by the defence of both teams. North Berwick were trying to open up the game and play with high tempo while Dunbar managed a few effective turnovers at the tackle to stop the North Berwick momentum. The pressure finally told and North Berwick managed to take a 5 point lead through an unconverted try from Ben Moffat towards the end of the first half. The second half started well for North Berwick and they managed to capitalise on some ill discipline from Dunbar who conceded a string of penalties. North Berwick managed to get them on the back foot after some quick phases and Rory Darge finished off some excellent handling to score in the left hand corner. Dunbar came storming back into the game and managed to start building some phases through some strong forward runners, Jack Simmons and Ross Blair being very prominent. Dunbar scored through Jack Simmons after another strong run to make it 10-5 and all to play for.
Dunbar thought they had levelled the scores when Finlay Darrah cut back and burst his way over the try line, but the score was disallowed Dunbar had to settle for an attacking scrum 10 metres from the line. Just when it looked as though Dunbar had all the momentum and were pressing for a score, North Berwick managed to break out into Dunbar territory. Some quick ball created space in the wider channels where Elliot Glynn was on hand to finish off the move out wide. Dunbar came back fighting once again and with only a few minutes left, Ross Blair managed to barge his way over after some direct running from the Dunbar pack once again. The conversion left the score at 15-12 to North Berwick which is how it finished at the final whistle.
Both teams were a credit to their school and the game was played in great spirit. The defence and intensity of the game was impressive and the talent on show bodes well for the future of rugby in East Lothian. Another impressive feature of the game was the huge amount of support at the game from family, friends, staff and pupils. Hopefully next season sees some more success for our East Lothian schools in the new School of Rugby conferences which will be contested between schools in Edinburgh and East Lothian schools at all age groups.
