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The Big Weekend 2018

The Big Weekend 2018

Anthonie Malley10 May 2018 - 18:10
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What a weekend of rugby!

The Big Weekend 2018 was a massive success and had plenty of entertaining rugby on show. It all kicked off on Friday night when our Ladies 1XV welcomed Livingston Rugby Club to Laigh Bent. Hamilton have been playing in mixed teams with Livingston in their development league fixtures this year and the friendships and comradery was clear to see. Welcomed to Hamilton were some visiting players from Grangemouth and Cartha to ensure the fixture went ahead.

Louise Houston led out Hamilton and we were quickly on the front foot going ahead in the opening exchanges. Livingston came fighting back but never caught up with the Bulls who ran out winners with final score 57-43.

Saturday the Check-It Hamilton 7’s got into full swing with both an under 18’s and senior men competition. The under 18’s competition featured Hamilton, Bentlaigh Bulls, East Kilbride, Cartha, Marr, Glasgow Hawks and Ayr while the senior 7’s competition consisted of Hamilton, Bentlaigh Bulls, Biggar, Heriot Watt Uni, Strathclyde Uni, Marr, GHA and Cartha.

The Under 18 cup was won by Ayr after they defeated West of Scotland in their final. Heriot-Watt University won the Shield final (for group runners-up), beating Biggar 19-17 in a pulsating final, and the Cup final was contested by sides from GHA and Marr, and it was the Glasgow men who edged another thrilling contest by 17-13, to win the Cup.

Pictures of the day can be seen here. Credit to Frank Gaddis.

The highlight of the day for many visitors to Laigh Bent, was the chance to see and have their photograph taken with, the Calcutta Cup, which Scotland currently hold after their fabulous 25-13 victory over England in February.

Unfortunately one of our players, Simon Deuchar suffered a bad leg injury. Get well soon from all the Bulls Family!

We then moved onto Sunday for the grand finale of the Big Weekend with our Annual Youth Festival. With Hamilton fielding approx. 270 kids between the ages of 5 and 16, plus teams from Dalziel, West of Scotland, Paisley, Glasgow Hawks, Loch Lomond, Perth and Strathaven there was over 1500 young rugby players on show at Laigh Bent.

A highlight of the day was the Primary 1 to 3 British Lions vs All Blacks game which, for the 15th year in a row finished as a draw! Our youngest Bulls had a great experience on our main pitch in front of a large crowd.

Once again Hamilton Rugby Club’s youth section put on a show to be proud of and provided a fitting end to The Big Weekend.

A huge thank you to everyone who took part, came down to support or helped organise. Well done everyone!

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