Stewartry under-16s made the long trip north to play group leaders Kinross in the National Youth Bowl. A tough match was expected and both teams could only field 14 players through cancellations.
From the outset, Kinross had the upper hand with a clinical set of backs who moved the ball wide at pace and cut through the smaller Stewartry backs to score several unanswered tries in the early stages. Up front it was well matched. Powerful carries made ground for Stewartry through captain Carson McCallum and Jay Logan, who were both stopped short of the line.
Forwards competed well around the breakdown with Jamie and Joe McIvor and Louis Campbell making a nuisance of themselves time and time again. Despite the good work up front, Stewartry were punished for any mistakes by Kinross who were hard to stop in possession.
James Nelson made a lively return to action after injury and was denied two tries inches short before scoring the visitors’ only try, sniping then driving through the defence to score. Callum Young converted, having coped well under pressure for most of the match.
Small consolation for a tough away match but played in good spirit.