Under 18 Boys victorious in 2026 Caledonia Youth Bowl final!

Saltire Energy Boy's U18 Caledonia Youth Bowl Final
​Countesswells, Saturday 29 Mar 2026
Orkney RFC 22, Stirling 0

A squad of 22 U18s went to Countesswells in Aberdeen for Caledonia Cup finals day to compete with Stirling for the U18s Bowl, this would be the last piece of 2 years back-to-back league and cup champions. 

It was a windy day with a strong cross pitch breeze that was going to cause both teams issues with moving the ball around. Stirling kicked off the game and the match was underway. ​

Stirling looked like a solid team and we knew we were in for a tough match but we were used to tough opponents. From the offset, you could sense the nerves from both teams. 

Each squad looking for ways to get through each other’s defences to get the first points on the board, but the statement continued, until a superb jackal and turnover from increasingly impressive prop Finlay Daintith, proved to be the turning point, from the resulting possession Orkney moved up field and started to implement the game plan the coaches had set out. 

With the pressure building and cracks starting to show in Stirling’s discipline, Balfour Norquoy broke through to get the boys on the scoreboard. 5-0 Orkney. A forced change in midfield saw Jamie Milne enter the fold for Cameron Boyd.

Orkney started to methodically attack and were being unforgiving in defence to Stirling and kept them on the back foot, not to say that Stirling didn’t mount any attacks but when they did, they were met with some brilliant tackling, rucking and jackaling the Orkney back row of Owen Spence, Captain Tom Hamilton and Balfour Norquoy seemed to be everywhere. 

The scrummage was at a different level, with front rowers, Daintith and Murray Robertson providing the platform for Magnus Montgomery to steal 5 scrums against the head on the day.  5 minutes before half time, Balfour scored his next try to give us a cushion going into the 2nd half. 

After some brilliant tactical advice from PJ McGrath, the head coach, they came back onto the pitch ready to go for it and with the 10-point lead, they were more determined to bring home the silverware. 

The weather took a turn and along with the wind, the rain began. It was becoming a muddy affair but we are used to playing in those conditions. Orkney started to find holes in the Stirling defence and with a combination of pods and backs moves, we kept them in their own half for most of the next 35 mins. 

The 50-minute mark saw the introduction of Finlay Flett and in his U18 debut, Halcro Tait enter the fray to replace Ben Sinclair and Lewis Moncrieff. Both Sinclair and Moncrieff played their hearts out as they have done all season.

Eventually, Balfour broke their line to score his hat trick for the day making it 15-0. Orkney were in control of this game and whilst Stirling did what they could, we applied the pressure to keep them scrambling their defence. 

Orkney found their rhythm with great carries by the forwards Murray Robertson, Finlay Daintith, and Magnus Montgomery. 

The backs were moving the ball through the hands with Mikey McGee distributing the ball from either the scrums or the rucks to Ronan Hamilton who put it through to the hands of the backs such as Jack Innes, Ian Moar and Zander Baillie, to get the ball up the pitch. 

Ashton was the next to score Orkney’s fourth try of the day with Zander Baillie getting the conversion. Ashton picking up a knock in the play saw him replaced by Joe Thomson. 

The score was 22-0 at this point and Orkney wanted to keep that clean sheet and kept Stirling in their half. 

The last 15 minutes saw Daintith leave the field to be replaced by Caleb McEwan, Magnus Craigie on for Ian Moar. 

In credit to Stirling, they still didn’t know they were bested and kept coming back at the lads, but all plaudits to this team, they shut them out with the desire to keep the score at Nil, believing this to show their doggedness and team spirit. 

When the final whistle blew, Orkney had kept the clean sheet, the only team to do so on finals day, which is brilliant for a final against a team as good as Stirling. 

It was a great send off for both the lads who are finishing their youth rugby journey this year as well as PJ & myself as we are stepping away from U18s coaching team. 

The performance of the lads in the final is the culmination of all the hard work they do at training with the firsts and with all effort that PJ puts into making them the best they can be on and off the pitch as well as their own personal efforts to better their game with some of them in the Caley set up, Glenalmond, Glasgow warriors and more. 

What a great finish to their season with not only retaining the Caledonia Cup bowl but also retaining their inspiresport Boy's U18 Caledonia League title too. 

The coaches cannot express how proud we are all the lads and how well they have done this year. They are a credit to the club, their families, Orkney and PJ, Jeff & myself could not be prouder. 

The future of the club is in good hands. The future is bright; the future is red & white!!!
D.M.

Squad photo from L to R:
Back Row - PJ McGrath, Darren McGee, Joe Thomson, Murray Robertson, Tom Hamilton (C), Lewis Moncreiff, Mikey McGee (VC), Zander Baillie, Magnus Montgomery, Balfour Norquoy, Ben Sinclair (VC), Owen Spence, Halcro Tait, Ronan Hamilton & Jeff Dougall

Front Row - Jack Innes, Cameron Boyd, Cullen Dick, Ian Moar, Finlay Flett, Jamie Milne, Caleb McEwen, Finlay Daintith, Magnus Craigie & Ashton Bruce