News

Senior Men (1st XV) | 22nd Aug 2023

Last Thursday, August 17th, Stewartry Men’s 1st XV welcomed local rivals Dumfries Saints to Greenlaw for a pre-season fixture.

The game was divided into three 30-minute sections, with the first 30 being played as something of a warmup, to allow fringe players to have a runout and coaches to experiment with new ideas.

The following 60 minutes, however, were full-blooded. The opening exchanges were cagey, with neither side allowing an inch, but the breakthrough finally came after flyhalf John Picken slotted a penalty from the righthand side to put the home team ahead.

Stewartry then got the opening try of the game through the forwards to give Sandy Currie’s team an 8-0 lead going into halftime. 

The only points in the second 30 were scored by Dumfries, who barreled over for a try from close range. The extras were added, leaving just one point in it heading into the final exchanges. 

Despite strong pressure from the Saints, Stewartry held strong to come away with an 8-7 win and claim the Jack Solley trophy.

Standout performers for the Blacks were two new recruits for the 2023/24 season, no.8 Finlay Telfer and centre/wing Sam Tait.

Both teams get their league campaigns underway on September 2nd, with Dumfries hosting Boroughmuir in National 3 and Stewartry entertaining Strathmore in National 4.