Greenwood wanted to make a big impact with back to back final in their sights. After winning the Scottish Rugby League Cup last season, this time it was Scottish Rugby Union, but they had Carrick Academy to get past by in the semi finals.

Hooker Scott Rowley broke the deadlock in the opening 5 minutes with the support of his forward pack and they picked and go their way over the white line. Outside centre Elliot Skeoch just missed the conversion (G’wood 5 – 0). Carrick tried hit back quickly as possible, but Greenwoods tackling has been causing problems for Carrick, especially on the wing with a top tackling by winger Kristian Dean stopped Carrick’s winger from scoring.

Greenwood then piled the pressure deep in Carrick’s 22 with quick line outs, and big physical crash ball by both centres Callum Cook and Elliot Skeoch. But it was the quick hands from by the forwards that set up back row Connor Greenan as he powered his way over the line to score Greenwoods second try and with a 10 – 0 lead.

It could been a third for Greenwood with winger Kristian Dean running down the left wing but was tackled by the Carrick full back, however Greenwood forwards Brian Kelly and Connor Greenan manage to pile the pressure on the Carrick defence but pound up the into the 22, setting up good ball for the back line with top class passing with right winger Liam Matthews trying to outpace his opposite winger but was unlucky to be tackled out the pitch.

Carrick did manage to pull one back just before half time. Greenwood gave away at least 4 penalties for offside and not rolling away, and gets worse with the sin bin to captain Brian Kelly for kicking the ball away. Carrick’s Scrum half Aiden Strachen kept taking quick taps and put piles of pressure on the Greenwood defence but manage to find the space in the corner to score.

Half time – Greenwood 10 Carrick 5

Start of the second half it was Carrick who was came out full blazing as their back line players played nice quick hands, and show their footwork to test the Greenwood defence. Greenwood manages to steal a few turnover balls but didn’t have any luck to counter attack as Carrick’s fly half William Limond manage to kick the ball back into Greenwood’s 22. Carrick continue to pile pressure on the Greenwood back line as knock ons were being made and Carrick manage to get something out of it and scored in the corner by centre Ross Limond. 10-10

But Carrick had great history of achievement in recent years for a reason, as their forwards pounded their way into Greenwood’s 22, which gave fly half William Limond chance to attack the open space which lead Carrick’s third try scored by centre Ross Limond under the sticks, William Limond added the extra points with his conversion. 10-17
After Carrick’s try, both teams manage to produce 10 minutes of high quality nonstop rugby action. It had everything you would love to see in any rugby match, great hands, turn over balls and big tackles. But it was the Greenwood forwards making the big attack, with big runs from Alistair Thomson and Kris Kelso, quality hands and support work which set up quick ball for the back line who quickly gave the ball out wide for winger Kristian Dean for 30m sprit to the line to pull one back for Greenwood. Centre Skeoch again was unlucky just to see the ball go past the post. 15-17

Straight from the restart with less than 5 minutes to go, Greenwood put their foot down from their own 22 as Centre Callum Cook attacked and pass out wide to centre partner Skeoch. Skeoch using his high level of pace and powering through the defensive line, he looked to be in the clear to score the winner. But Carrick’s full back and wingers manage to catch up with Skeoch and made the try saving tackle.
Greenwood kept fighting for the final moments, but was unfortunate as Carrick regained the ball and booted it out the park as the final whistle goes.

All players in both squads should be proud of themselves after producing a high quality performance.

Final score – Greenwood 15 Carrick 17