Stewartry under-16s triumphed over their Hamilton counterparts in the first round of the West Cup on a dull, dusky and drizzling Sunday at Greenlaw.
Captain Preston Carnochan chose to play with the wind in the first half. The wet, cold and muddy conditions did not bode well for free flowing rugby and so it transpired.
Both sides tried to run the ball but mistakes dominated a first half which, in turn, was dominated by a first minute try by Arthur Bolland.
Stewartry had kicked off to Hamilton but stole the ball back in the ensuing ruck and four rucks later Bolland powered over from close range.
And that was the first half action - apart from a lot of huffing, puffing, slipping and sliding in the middle third with neither side being able to impose themselves.
The half-time break seemed to galvanise Hamilton into a more direct approach as they reverted to one out runs. Clattering tackles from the likes of Angus Bryson and Daniel Eakin Watt shored up the defence but too many Stewartry players stood off the tackle line and eventually the Hamilton number three broke a series of tackles on his way to a try from 40 meters out, which was converted.
From the kick off, Stewartry again recovered the loose ball and Crawford Broatch galloped upfield before being stopped yards from the try line.
A quick ruck recycled the ball to Moray Robertson who powered through a host of tacklers to score.
Hamilton then set too again with the wind at their backs and began to push Stewartry back.
Though the Stewartry lineout, with Zac Rawlings being lifted by Bolland and Lucas Swalwell, guaranteed possession, it was a “not straight” call that gave Hamilton a scrum 40m out.
From this they ran straight and passed accurately to score wide out on the right. This put them ahead by a conversion going into the last five minutes.
In almost a replay of their second try, Stewartry regathered from the kickoff and strong carries by Broatch and Robertson got them to within five metres.
This time, patience had to be applied as Hamilton defended stoutly but, in the end, Angus Valentine squeezed through a gap and scored, with Fraser Davies converting despite the atrocious underfoot conditions.
And then it was just a question of hanging on.
Hamilton were galvanised but so was the Stewartry defence.
Both the pitch and the teams will need some time to recover after this full blooded effort in awful conditions.
