LAST weekend Garnock Rugby Club mini section travelled to Bishopton RFC for their annual rugby festival. With some rain during the night softening the pitches slightly. the teams were all set to have one last day of rugby to close the season.

The mighty micros turned up in fine form! They played Lomond first and won 5-4. Ardrossan proved a harder challenge that would end a draw at 5-5. They played a mixed game with Cartha and scored some great tries and beat them 6-3. Next they helped Cartha and played Ardrossan P3’s. They were the stronger team and won that game. We fielded seven players today and everyone played some great rugby to end on a high for the season!

The P4 team were without one or two players but played some really great rugby. First up were GHK. This proved to be the team’s hardest-fought game of the day. They lost narrowly 8-7.

Next up was Bishopton. After a rare defeat, the team kept their heads up and played a very good game, winning 9-7. Lomond were their final game and played the first half as a mixed p4/5 team to match the opposition, by this time the tiring team were comfortable winners with a 9-2 victory. The P4’s are really playing fantastic rugby and most importantly playing together as a team. Tries are being created by all the players working together, creating space and opening up gaps.

P5’s were slightly short of players so relied on the p4’s stepping in to bolster numbers and they didn’t disappoint!

First up was Ardrossan. After a hard fought contest with lots of tries, Garnock ended up winning 9-7.

GHK were the next opponents and this was a tough contest/.The team dug in, and with some great defence, and really good team tries, came out on top 5-4.

Cartha was the last game and after a huge confidence boost from the previous match, Garnock won 8-0. Some great team tries were created and players are recognising when there is space and using passing to create the tries.

The P6/7’s have been improving every week and this was going to be a tough challenge.

Their first game was against a very strong Lomond P7 team who proved too much for Garnock. Lomond won, but the boys kept their heads up and went on to win the remaining games against Bishopton, GHK, Cartha and Ardrossan with some brilliant team tries and the highest tackling intensity of the season. The new additions are really starting to find their feet and played some good promising rugby. A great way to round out the season. Really great to see the team play together so well and some of the newer players gaining in confidence each week at training. The hard work is paying off.

It’s really a great achievement from all the players from P1-7 that out of 14 games of rugby played, the whole mini section only lost three games and drew one.

Saturday saw the mini-section hold their annual prizegiving. With some impressive rugby played all season, the coaches had to make some difficult decisions. So much so that at both P4 and P5 there had to be two players of the year in each team. A true testament to the drive and dedication these young players have committed to the jersey for the entire season.

Prize winners

P4 Most Improved Player: Scott Harley

P4 Player Of The Year: Harrison Weir

P4 Player Of The Year: Nathan Mobbs

P5 Most Improved Player: Kyle Keddie

P5 Player Of The Year: Milo Maxwell

P5 Player Of The Year: Charlie Burns

P4/5 Jack Docherty trophy: Hamish Powrie Smith

P6 Most Improved Player: Paty Erina

P6 Player Of The Year: Ewan Wilson

P7 Most Improved Player: Anthony McHugh

P7 Player Of The Year: Joseph Buttle

P6/7 Jack Docherty Trophy: Charlie Shaw.