News

Alva Ac. and Greenwood Ac. triumph in Cashback Sevens

Tuesday, 19 June 2012

The first Cashback Sevens (in conjunction with the SFA) came to a conclusion at Toryglen with all six regions represented by the winners of their U13 Boys and U15 Girls competitions.

After many local rounds and Regional Championships had taken place from February onwards the last twelve teams converged on Glasgow for the National Finals.

On arrival all the teams were presented with their brand new SFA Errea strips complete with Cashback logo and the hall was split so that the boys would play on one side and the girls on the other.

In the boys tournament Uddingston Grammar started with a 2-0 win over Stewart's Melville in Section 1, which was to prove decisive as both teams drew their remaining games against Inverurie Academy. 

Meanwhile in Section 2 Alva Academy beat Notre Dame HS 2-1 in the opening game but could only draw their second game, a goalless encounter with Balwearie.  The Fife team had to win their last game against Notre Dame by two goals to reach the final and, though they managed a win, the 1-0 scoreline was not enough and Alva progressed to the final v. Uddingston.

At the other end of the hall the Greenwood Academy girls drew their Section 1 opener with Mary Erskine 1-1 and then beat Woodmill HS 2-1 to reach 4 points. Mary Erskine had to beat Woodmill in the final game but a 2-0 win for Woodmill meant that Greenwood were through to the final. 

In Section 2 Mintlaw Academy drew both of their games, so a win for either team in the last fixture would be good enough - Eastbank Academy beat Dunblane HS 3-1 to take on Greenwood in the final.

After crossover games for the 2nd and 3rd teams in each section it was time for the finals which took place on the pitches right in front of the spectators' gallery.  In the U15 Girls final Greenwood Academy showed why they had won the Lloyds TSB Scotland U14 Girls Sevens the previous year with a masterful display against Eastbank Academy, the Irvine girls eventually winning 7-0. 

The U13 Boys final was an exciting affair which went down to the wire, as Alva Academy and Uddingston Grammar served up a 1-1 draw, the title to be settled by a penalty shoot-out.  Alva Academy won the shoot-out 3-2 and showed why their U13 team would be a force to reckon with in the Lloyds TSB Scotland U13 Plate final.

At the end of play the captains of each team were presented with their Regional Championship trophies, then Alva Academy and Greenwood Academy collected their medals and National trophies, so everybody went home a winner.

ALVA ACADEMY U13 BOYS (CENTRAL) AND GREENWOOD ACADEMY U15 GIRLS (SOUTH WEST) - CASHBACK SEVENS NATIONAL CHAMPIONS