RLC teams ready for Finals!

RUGBY LEAGUE CONFERENCE CLUBS READY FOR CLASHES AT SCOTSTOUN

The next two weeks in the Scotland Rugby League calendar will be a showcase of what the domestic game in Scotland has to offer. This weekends' Finals day will encompass games at Under 15, Under 17 and both Rugby League Conference Divisions. The following weekend (13th August) Scotland Under 18's take on England Colleges and Scotland ‘A' are back in action against the Irish at Scotstoun Stadium in their only home game of the season, they will be trying to secure a second place finish in the 2011 Amateur Four Nations.

The Rugby League Conference (RLC) matches at this years' Scotland Rugby League Finals day are promising to be both exciting and enthralling with the senior clubs all ready and all eagerly trying to get their hands on their respective trophies.

The Division 1 final between Moray Titans and Aberdeen Warriors will see both teams make the journey south on Saturday to their first ever finals. Both in their inaugural year, it is testament to both clubs' hard work that two teams from the North / North East of Scotland will be playing for the title of Division 1 champions with aspirations of joining the Premier Division in 2012.

Aberdeen Warriors head coach Craig Parslow is relishing the opportunity to play this weekend and thinks it would be the perfect end to the season if the Warriors can secure a win.

"It has been a great year for Rugby League in the North East of Scotland. The Warriors have been training and playing hard all season and are excited to be in their first Grand Final, after winning the Division 1 league. A win the Grand Final, it would be the perfect end to a fantastic year."

A thought on the development of the sport in the North of Scotland similarly echoed by Moray Titans head coach Adam Harrison who thinks the Moray Titans playing in the Grand Final is a fantastic achievement.

"Moray Titans are proud to be playing in the Division 1 Grand Final against out northern neighbours Aberdeen, and at such a spectacular venue as Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow. We started off in 2011 with high hopes of forming a Community Rugby League club in the North of Scotland and to finish on such a high note, regardless of the result on Saturday is a fantastic achievement for the club. We know it's going to be a physical test against the league leaders but even the best aren't unbeatable."
The RLC Premier Grand Final will see last year's runners up Edinburgh Eagles try to go one better to reclaim the title of Scottish Champions for the 8th year in their history. Edinburgh finished the league section of the season 6 points clear, which head coach Ash Carroll credited to hard work at training.


"It's great to be back in the final this year as it represents reward for a lot of work the lads have put in. We have really developed as a squad this year and it's been really tough to cut down to a 17 man squad for the final. The guys are all looking forward to playing at Scotstoun, it's a world class venue and a fitting venue for the end of the season. It will be a great day with the two junior games and division 1 final before the Premier Final."

Edinburgh will be playing Ayrshire Storm who are only in their second year in the RLC and had a resounding 42 -22 victory over Fife Lions in the playoff to reach the Grand Final, something that hasn't gone unnoticed by Carroll.

"We have had two good games against Ayrshire this year and although we have managed to beat them on both occasions I have no doubt that they will be up for their first final, you just have to look at their win over the Lions last weekend to see that. I'm sure both teams will make the most of the day and relish the opportunity."

Ayrshire Storm have had a superb run of form in the latter stages of the season to help them finish with a flourish and secure 3rd place over in the league all with wins over Fife Lions and a final league match against reigning champions Carluke Tigers, which the Storm narrowly won 30 - 26 before their playoff victory. Ayrshire Storm head coach Alex Bibby has led the Irvine based Storm since its conception in 2010 and is delighted that the squad have pulled together to reach the final.

"We had a difficult start to the season only winning two of the first six matches but the squad rallied towards the end of the season and that's the part of the season where it counts. The guys are really looking forward to the Grand Final, they have been working hard and it's their willingness to learn and hunger for success that has brought us this far. It wouldn't have been possible without that or the backing and support from Irvine Rugby Club."

Prior to the RLC Division 1 and Premier finals, Scotland's National Youth League squads will take to the fields. Falkirk Romans and Easterhouse Panthers will battle on the field for the Under 15 championship which is tipped to be a fantastic match after their performances over the summer where they have both beaten each other. Following that match it will be Aberdeen Spartans who have the task of trying to topple the undefeated Easterhouse Panthers in the Under 17 Grand Final.

For a discounted ticket bundle deal to the Finals Day, Under 18, Amateur international and professional international in October join our facebook group by clicking here
Alternatively, you can buy tickets on the day at the Stadium Reception.
Scotland Rugby League Finals Day - Saturday 6th August 2011, Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow.

Under 15 - 12:00pm

Under 17 - 01:30pm

Division 1 - 03:15pm

Premier - 05:15pm

Prices: Adult: £5, Concession: £2, Under 12: FREE

INTERNATIONALS:

Saturday 13th August at Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow.

12:30pm - Scotland Under 18 vs. England Colleges

02:00pm - Scotland ‘A' vs. Ireland ‘A'
Prices: Adult: £5, Concession £2, Under 12: FREE

This Saturday (6th August) Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow will play host to four rugby league matches as the clubs battle for the silver wear and title of Scottish Champions.

Alternatively why not take advantage of our unique facebook offer which gives you discounted bundle tickets to the Finals day, Scotland 'A' vs. Ireland 'A' / Scotland under 18 vs. England Colleges and the professional Autumn international between Scotland vs. Ireland.

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Ayrshire Storm into Grand final

Ayrshire Storm to make debut in Scottish Grand Final.

 FIFE LIONS 22-42 AYRSHIRE STORM

Ayrshire Storm qualified for the Grand Final in considerable style with an impressive display at Harley Street.

The Storm will now battle Edinburgh Eagles at Scotstoun next Saturday for the title of Scottish rugby league champions, and while the Eagles will start as hot favourites to notch their eighth title in twelve Grand Final appearances, if the Storm can produce a similar performance they will have nothing to fear from their more illustrious opponents. For the Lions, on the other hand, it is back to the drawing board as their wait for their first Grand Final appearance since 2008 extends for another year.

The early signs were not promising for the visitors as the home side dominated possession and it was no surprise when they took the lead after 12 minutes, second row Colin Stewart eluding the defence on a penalty set to touch down under the posts. Thomas Murray added the conversion and the Lions led 6-0.

Shortly afterwards, however, came the first hint that it was to be the Storm's day. Paul Johnston sent the kick-off deep into the Lions half and the receiving player was deemed to have knocked on even though the ball went backwards out of his grasp. From the resulting set Nathan Murray was ruled to have scored in the right corner despite suspicions he had been tackled into touch. With no touch judge on hand to adjudicate, the referee was left with no alternative but to give the attacking side the benefit of the doubt. Johnston missed the difficult touchline conversion but the Storm were back in the game at 6-4.

The score appeared to open the game up and both sides had their moments before the Lions extended their lead on 25 minutes. Raymond Festorazzi was penalised for "afters" at a tackle situation and from the resulting set piece Niall Campbell went over in the right corner for the first try of what would ultimately be a hat-trick. Thomas Murray's conversion made it 12-4.

Within six minutes though the visitors were in the lead. The Lions were penalised on the set after the kick-off and after a patient spell of pressure Johnston burrowed over in the right corner for a try which he converted himself. The home side then shot themselves in the foot by sending the kick-off into touch on the full. The resulting set ended with Martin Sneddon crossing next to the posts. Again Johnston added the conversion, taking the score to 16-12 in the Storm's favour.

After this, a combination of indiscipline from the home side and good defence from the visitors ensured that there was no way back for the Lions before the break. Indeed, Nathan Murray thought he had extended the Storm's lead in first-half injury time with a try in the corner but the referee had spotted an injury to the home side's Andrew Brown in the build-up and blew for half time instead.

The Storm had a dream start to the second half when Gordon Powrie raced clear to notch their fourth try of the afternoon, Johnston goaling the conversion for a 22-12 lead.

They then presented the home side with a glorious chance to get back into the game, when in quick succession John Muir deflected the kick-off into touch deep in their half, and they were penalised for offside on the resulting set. But they produced an excellent defensive set to survive all six tackles and regain possession.

The Storm defence were to the fore again shortly afterwards when they had to withstand another set of tackles after once again being penalised. This proved crucial as Brian Hendry powered up the touchline to score in the left corner on 51 minutes. Johnston again missed a difficult touchline conversion.

The home side tried to respond and were unlucky when Stuart Tracey got a cruel bounce while attempting to gather a chip into the in-goal and the touchdown just eluded the diving Lions player. They paid for missing this chance minutes later when Hendry ran in behind the posts for his second try of the afternoon to give Johnston a straightforward conversion for 32-12.

Both sides were down to twelve men on 59 minutes when a melée between Powrie and home interchange Colin Wilson resulted in both players being sent to the sin-bin. Wilson in particular could have no complaints after being involved in a similar confrontation with Brian Hendry ten minutes earlier. The Lions were the beneficiaries of the original penalty and finally claimed the try they had been threatening when Niall Campbell scored his second of the afternoon from the resulting set. Thomas Murray was wide with the conversion, but the visitors' lead had been cut to a not yet unassailable 32-16 with twenty minutes to go.

The home side tried to exert more pressure on the visitors in a bid to get back in the game, but were unable to capitalise and on 67 minutes Nathan Murray made the game virtually safe when he raced clear to dot down under the posts, Johnston adding the extras. And after two further tries had gone begging after Tracey beat the would-be scorer to the touchdown on both occasions, Alastair Maxwell put the icing on the cake on 79 minutes with an unconverted try in the left corner to make it 42-16.

The Lions had the last word in injury time when Campbell completed his hat-trick and Thomas Murray converted, but the day ultimately belonged to the visitors.

Ayrshire take on Edinburgh Eagles in the Scotland Rugby League Premier Grand Final on Saturday 6th August at Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow - 5:15pm kick off

Buy Tickets HERE 

FIFE LIONS - J Campbell; N Campbell, S Cessford, K Dalglish, S Doidge;
T Murray, G Queen; J Smith, A Brown, C Stewart, G Wallace, R Thomson, R Bryce. Interchanges: K Perrow, C Wilson.

AYRSHIRE STORM - G Powrie; N Murray, A Maxwell, J Muir, S Tracey;
D Crangle, P Johnston; B Hendry, J Marshall, N Savage, R Festorazzi, S Rodgers,
R Filander. Interchanges: M Sneddon, S Christie.
 
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