A fantastic performance from St Thomas Aquinas at Scotstoun stadium in the quarter-final of the ScottishPower Warriors Rugby Championship sees them progress to the semi-final stages of the tournament.
The three St Thomas Aquinas rugby teams from S1, S2 and an under-15 girls’ team showed skill and determination in abundance against stiff opposition from Jordanhill Secondary, Auchinleck Academy and Duncanrig Secondary.
St Thomas Aquinas S1 boys recorded an impressive victory against Auchinleck Academy in a close tie that ended 6-4, while the under-15 girls team boys defeated Jordanhill Secondary 6-1 to help their school to the next round.
If successful in the semi-finals which will take place in April, St Thomas Aquinas can challenge for a spot in the finals of the tournament to be played at Scotstoun Stadium, home of the Glasgow Warriors, in May. The champions of the tournament will win new rugby kits for their school, as well as the first ScottishPower Warriors Rugby Championships trophy. The school which come second place can also look forward to a coaching session with one member of the Glasgow Warriors squad.
Frank Mitchell, SP Energy Networks CEO, said: “Today has been another excellent day of rugby at the home of the Glasgow Warriors for the ScottishPower Warriors Rugby Championship quarter-final. We’re committed to working with the Warriors to help promote rugby in local school communities and the pupils who took part today certainly showed skill and effort in abundance, which is exactly what this tournament is all about.
"As a former Duncanrig Secondary pupil, I was especially proud to see my former school play today. The pupils were completely inspired after meeting the Glasgow Warriors players and I'm sure this will be a day they'll remember for a long time."
Glasgow Warriors stars Ryan Grant, Grayson Hart, Rory Hughes, James Eddie and Fraser Brown attended the quarter-final match alongside Scotland Women’s International Megan Gaffney at Scotstoun to cheer on the schools and give pupils some inspirational advice as they took to the pitch.
Ryan Grant said, “It was fantastic to be a part of the quarter-finals today and help give the schools a few words of advice before their big matches. The players worked so hard and there were very impressive skill levels on show. I think there’s potential for St Thomas Aquinas to produce some future stars and they should be really proud of making it through to the next round of the championships.”
Gary Strain, St Thomas Aquinas rugby development coach, said: “It is great for everyone to be here today to enjoy a fantastic day of rugby. Rugby really pulls all the children together and there was a strong sense of team work displayed here from every school involved. We’re now looking forward to the semi-finals of the ScottishPower Warriors Rugby Championship and enjoying another great day of rugby.”