Teammates turned to rivals at Stepps playing fields last wednesday as a peculiar fixture popped up in the BUCS Men’s Scottish Tier 4 calendar, Strathclyde Men's third and fourth teams rucking up against one another in the most personal derby you can possibly get

 

Having been relegated last year, the third fifteen were keen to make an example of the match, and show their fellow clubmates what it takes to move up a team. 

 

It was a great day for running rugby, not much wind and plenty of sun for heckling onlookers. 

 

The fours kicked off and things started slow, both teams not wanting to injure a key player for the weeks ahead, with plenty of competition between the two teams each wanting to make their mark. 

 

However, at around the ten minute mark, the floodgates were opened by the thirds, swift handling from the backs and hard carrying from the forwards could only result in a flurry of tries being piled up, completely unapologetic to their fellow clubmates. With a first half walloping and the fours’ heads in their hands, it was 40-0 to the thirds. 

 

With half heads held high and the other half held very, very low… the second half kicked off. Unfortunately for the fours, the result wasn’t any different from the first half.  Except for an extraordinary individual score by 4xv Hooker, Dan Bell, the thirds continued to run away with the game, and proved too strong for their 4xv counterparts. Final score Strathclyde 3xv 95-5 Strathclyde 4xv. Player of the Match was given to Jamie Hardie, 3xv Fly-Half. 

 

A great day for some, one to definitely forget for others, but seemed an enjoyable run out for most involved. Speaking to the players, lose or win, most were just happy to play, despite the bloody noses and bruised faces. Sideline viewers of the match were then treated to more brilliant games where Strathclyde Men’s 1xv beat Loughborough Men’s 2xv  31-21 and Strathclyde Women’s narrowly lost to Stirling Women’s 32-35 in a brilliant day of rugby for Strathclyde!