Last weekend saw the return of Hamilton Rugby Club’s annual Big Weekend of Rugby. This was our biggest weekend yet with over 650 player’s playing over the 3 days including Men, Women, Boys & Girls!

It all kicked off on Friday night with the Hamilton Bulls new kit supplier launch with VSN Sports and Hamilton Ladies 1XV hosting Lismore Ladies from Edinburgh for a game underneath the Laigh Bent floodlights.

The clubhouse was buzzing for the long awaited launch of the new kit range with people queuing long into the night to buy the new supporters range while the other half of the crowd were fully focussed on the Hamilton Ladies game. Our Ladies, who were looking to bounce back after a disappointing cup campaign, put out a strong team in what turned out to tough and tight fixture against Lismore. Hamilton pushed until the final whistle but unfortunately suffered a defeat with a 29-39 score line.

The action returned on Saturday for the Bulls May the 4th Be With You Sevens Tournaments for both senior male and u18. We welcomed GHA, Marr, Heriot Watt University, EDU Sport and Kawiti Babes for the senior competition with Ayr, Stirling County, Cumnock, Currie, GHA and Marr attending the U18 one. The conditions were perfect on the Saturday for some expansive running sevens action and all the teams certainly put on a show. Top level skills were on show with a show reel of try of the season contenders displayed all day. The Fijian Kaviti Babes were the big entertainers of the day with their incredible offloads and powerful runs . The final of the senior 7’s was between Heriot Watt University and Marr with Heriot Watt grabbing the cup win with a last minute try to break Marr hearts. GHA had a success day at Laigh Bent too with the senior side winning the shield and their U18 counterparts winning the U18 competition.

On Sunday the attention turned to our Youth Section for their annual show piece event. Over 500 boys and girls were on show and with a record 15 pitches running at the same time, Laigh Bent was packed to the rafters! Teams from P1 to U15 from Dumfries, Cumnock, Dalziel, Irvine/Carrick, GHK, Livingston and Cambuslang all took part. Without a doubt, the best game of the day was when our P1-P3 players took the field representing the British Lions and All Blacks including the children doing the famous ‘Haka’. Invited guests from Scottish Rugby, local MSPs and even community police all added to the event with everyone given the welcome that Hamilton Rugby Club has become famous for!

Club President, Ross Whiteside commented:

“We had over 100 volunteers and staff working tirelessly over the weekend to make it all happen and we can’t thank them enough for providing the most wonderful rugby event that the club has held. It has certainly been ‘The Big Weekend’ of Rugby!”

Well done to everyone that took part in our Big Weekend. Hope you all had a fantastic time!

#BullsFamily

Mini Pictures can be viewed here
Youth Pictures can be viewed here