Weekend Rugby Round-Up
It was another action-packed weekend for Greenock Wanderers’ youth teams, with some outstanding performances across all age groups. From dominant displays to hard-fought battles, the young Wandies showcased their skill, resilience, and team spirit.
Friday Night Lights: U14s Dominate, U18s Learn Valuable Lessons
Fort Matilda was the stage for Friday evening’s clashes, starting with the Under-14s delivering a dazzling attacking display against Ayr. Running in eight tries, the boys secured a 54-14 victory, with Ramsay stealing the show by crossing the whitewash five times. Gus, Jake, and Tommy also got on the scoresheet, while seven successful conversions rounded off the commanding win.
Tries: Ramsay (5), Gus, Jake, Tommy
Conversions: 7
Man of the Match: Ramsay
Following this, a combined squad of Under-16s and Under-18s, in partnership with Bishopton, took on a strong Ardrossan side away. Despite the 74-5 loss, there were many positives, with younger players like Sean, Blair, Angelo, and William stepping up admirably. Meanwhile, Shaun Callan impressed with his running, and Jamie Houston put in a tackling masterclass, earning him the Man of the Match award.
Sunday Morning: U13s & U14s Combine for a Big Win
Sunday kicked off with a thrilling contest as a combined Greenock Under-13s and Under-14s side faced Allan Glens. The young Wandies put on a superb display of running rugby and tenacious tackling, coming away with a 55-24 victory.
Players of the Match:
Alastair (U14)
Brohdi (U13)
U14 Girls Shine in Marr Round Robin
The Greenock Under-14 Girls continued their development with a round-robin tournament at Marr, taking on Stewartry. The girls showed fantastic improvement in 13-a-side full-pitch rugby, with notable performances across the squad.
A special mention goes to Katie, who stepped into the forward pack for the first time and had a storming game at Number 8.
Players of the Day:
Isla (Defender of the Day) – Relentless work in defence, putting pressure on the opposition and winning turnovers.
Hollie F (Attacker of the Day) – Blistering runs down the wing, making huge ground and almost scoring multiple tries in just her second-ever game of rugby.
Hollie’s rise since joining through the Starbucks and Rucks Recruitment Day a month ago highlights the exciting talent emerging in the squad.
U15s Complete Incredible Turnaround to Secure Cup Progression
The weekend’s biggest highlight came from the Under-15 Boys, who took on GHK in a must-win cup match. Just six weeks ago, GHK had defeated Greenock 67-17, setting the stage for a monumental challenge.
The first half saw a fierce battle, with GHK taking a 26-7 lead at halftime. However, the Greenock boys refused to back down. They dominated possession in the second half and launched a stunning comeback.
Second-half tries from Ethan Bennett, Callum Smith, and Josh Lang, all converted by Liam, saw Greenock snatch a 28-26 victory in the dying moments. The win not only avenged their earlier defeat but also secured top spot in the cup table—a remarkable turnaround from being bottom just four weeks ago.
This was a true squad effort, but Ethan Bennett and Reef McCloud-Tyley were deservedly named Players of the Match for their immense contributions.
A testament to the team’s growth, belief, and hard work, this victory caps off a thrilling weekend for Greenock Wanderers. Six months ago, this team might have buckled under pressure—but now, they stand at the top of their cup table. Huge credit to the players and coaches David and Robert for their dedication in shaping this resilient squad.
