SP Energy Networks Warriors Championship set for finale

Eastwood High School and Wallace High School are gearing up for the 2019 SP Energy Networks Warriors Championship final which takes place at Scotstoun this Saturday prior to Glasgow Warriors vs Edinburgh.

The two schools made it through to this year’s showpiece final ahead of 23 other competing schools who played across five rounds of qualifying at Scotstoun.

More than 1,000 kids took part in the tournament with each school represented by an S1 and S2 boys’ team and an under-15s girls’ team.

The finalists were decided last month after an enthralling semi-final with Eastwood and Wallace getting the better of Lenzie Academy, Balfron High School and Largs Academy.

Wallace High School lost just one of their 12 matches in the semi-final and aim to go a step further than 2018 when they finished second in the SP Energy Networks Warriors Championship.

Jenna Duncan, who skippers the Wallace High School girls’ team, is wary of the threat Eastwood pose but is determined to help her school lift the trophy aloft on Saturday.

She said: “I’m so excited to be playing in the final and it will be great to have so many people cheering us on during the matches.

“There will be nerves but it should be an amazing day.

“We beat Eastwood in the semi-final but their girls have some really good attackers who pick the ball up and run hard at you.

“So we will need to work hard on our tackling and shut them down quickly.”

The 15-year-old added: “I can’t wait to get back out playing again with my teammates at Scotstoun and hopefully we can help the school win the trophy this year.”

Eastwood High School S1 captain Cameron Healy believes it will be an amazing experience to play in front of so many spectators at Scotstoun and is relishing the prospect of his school’s first outing in a Warriors Championship final.

He said: “I am equally nervous and excited about the final which should be a great occasion.

“Being a captain in this final is a real honour and I’ll enjoy the responsibility.

“Wallace High School represent quite a challenge for us but I really hope our three teams can perform well.

“Their S1s have a lot of speed and some good passers but my team have been working on defence, making sure we go up together in a defensive line.

“Hopefully that helps us in the final.”

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.

Frank Mitchell, CEO at SP Energy Networks, added: “Playing at the home of the Glasgow Warriors is a once in a lifetime opportunity for any young person interested in rugby so it’s been fantastic to watch more than 1,000 boys and girls get that chance during this year’s competition.

“We launched our partnership with Glasgow Warriors to support people in the communities we serve and this year we’ve also been promoting the possibilities of a career in STEM to all the teams involved.

“Eastwood and Wallace High Schools have fought off tough competition and I’m really looking forward to being there on the day and cheering them both on.”

SP Energy Networks, which operates across central and southern Scotland, is 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.