Five schools prepare for semi-finals of Warriors Championship

The 2019 SP Energy Networks Warriors Championship has reached the semi-final stage with five schools competing tomorrow for two places in the final to be held at Scotstoun on Saturday 27 April.

This year’s tournament was launched on February 1 at Whitelee Windfarm on the outskirts of Glasgow ahead of five qualifying rounds involving 25 schools and 1,000 girls and boys from across west, central and southern Scotland.

Eastwood High School made it through to the knock-out stages after week one of qualifying and were joined by Lenzie Academy who qualified out their group for a second consecutive year.

Balfron High School make their third appearance in the Warriors Championship semi-finals, whilst Largs Academy have qualified for the first time.

It’s a maiden appearance for Lenzie Academy, who have narrowly missed out on two previous occasions.

Last year’s runners-up Wallace High School were the final school to qualify out their group.

Each school has three teams competing in the 2019 SP Energy Networks Warriors Championship – an S1 and S2 boys’ team and an under-15s girls’ team.

Wallace High School pupil Harry Adams, who captains the school’s S2 team, is hoping for another run to the final which will be held prior to Glasgow Warriors v Edinburgh Rugby.

He said: “We did really well last season and it would be great to make the final again and play in front of a big crowd at Scotstoun.

“I think we will do quite well but it will be hard as schools get better and better each year so we need to continue to improve as well.

“I started playing rugby six years ago and really enjoy the team spirit we have when competing in this tournament.”

Gary Dalziel, who coaches Balfron High School girls’ team, said: ‘We’re looking forward to the semi-finals and fingers crossed we can get to the final again which we’ve done once before.

“Playing on the main pitch at Scotstoun in front of a big crowd would be a brilliant experience for all the players.”

ABOUT THE SP ENERGY NETWORKS WARRIORS CHAMPIONSHIP

At the beginning of the 2017/18 season Glasgow Warriors announced a landmark three-year partnership with SP Energy Networks which saw them become the club’s Official Community Partner.

SP Energy Networks, which operates across central and southern Scotland, are working with Glasgow Warriors on a wide-range of community initiatives, including the SP Energy Networks Warriors Championship.

More than 1,000 girls and boys from 25 schools have competed in this year’s competition which gives a platform to grassroots talent to display their skills at Scotstoun Stadium.

Semi-finals: Wednesday 27 March. Wallace High School, Largs Academy, Balfron High School, Lenzie Academy and Eastwood High School.

Finals day: Saturday, April 27 (Prior to Glasgow Warriors v Edinburgh Rugby)