It has been a very successful and positive first half of term, which was capped off with a wonderful performance at the Loretto 7s on Sunday. We were the current holders, having won the trophy back in 2019, the last year it was held due to COVID, but we did play some outstanding sevens, showing a huge amount of skill and awareness of space and also a real desire to defend as a team. Jason White, former Scotland Captain and now Head of Sport at Loretto, was very complimentary about the sevens we played, moving the ball out in to the wide channels and then resetting and going again, and again, and again until the holes appeared. A mighty fine performance and deserved winners.  The Ardvreck 7s are just after we start back, and we should be amongst the favourites if we play like this......we were patient, we looked after the ball so well and were ruthless when the gaps appeared.  Having won the Ardvreck tournament last year, I can't wait to test ourselves again.

Before we head off for half term, we welcomed Ardvreck to Cargilfield. It is always a pleasure to host our friends from Perthshire, and although they were down on bodies this year, we did move some players around and although the scoreline was very on sided, the men in green never gave up. I was delighted with the running rugby we played, the lines we ran off the ball, our work at the breakdown and then moving the ball quickly away in to the space out wide which allowed us to score a lot of tries. We have achieved such a lot since the start of term, and I have been so impressed with the way that this group of boys have come together, worked so hard and played some outstanding rugby over the last few weeks. There is a real sense of ‘team’ amongst them, all working together for the good of the team and this is what will stand us in good stead when we return after half term.

When we get back, we have Dollar on Wednesday, Sedbergh on Friday, Ardvreck 7s on Sunday, Craigclowan on Wednesday, then Giggleswick, Aysgarth and Sedbergh down on tour. That is a lot of rugby against quality sides so I am looking forward to seeing how we rise to the challenge and keep this momentum going.

Very well done indeed, boys; we have played some excellent rugby and we have developed so well as a team.  Now enjoy a great half term, and some rest!