Scottish Rugby gets into Touch!

We’re only half way through the year but 2007 has already been a great year for the partnership between the Scottish Touch Association and the Scottish Rugby Union. As part of this close relationship the STA has worked with the SRU to run Touch competitions alongside other rugby events at Murrayfield.

On a sunny 5th May, the annual Murrayfield Mixed Touch Tournament attracted 10 competing teams including visitors from London, Aberdeen and Glasgow. After an enthralling day of high standard Touch, a close battle was fought out in the final, with The Riders overcoming local Edinburgh rivals The Guns! Both finalists were excited to entertain the Murrayfield main pitch crowd with a Touch demo at half-time of the 15’s Cup Final. History doesn’t record the score, although top marks to Adrian Wishart for the flamboyant dive for the crowd!! The STA were also delighted to run an All Players tournament as part of the Martin Currie Festival of Rugby at the Emirate Airlines Edinburgh 7s 2007 in June. In a fantastic day enjoyed by all, 100 competitors from far and wide were thrown together to play Touch in genuinely mixed standard teams. The inclusive format involving experienced, intermediate and beginner standard players in each team makes the game of Touch accessible to all and has proven to be hugely successful, with participants enjoying the friendly ethos and relaxed nature of the tournament.

Afterwards, Scottish Rugby’s Colin Thomson (Head Of Community Rugby), commented:
”Scottish Rugby is delighted to be working in partnership with the Scottish Touch Association. The last 18 months have seen Murrayfield play host to two adult mixed touch tournaments on National Cup Finals Day and then a hugely successful 'All Players' Touch tournament as an integral part of the Martin Currie Festival of Rugby at the Emirate Airlines Edinburgh 7s 2007.

Scottish Rugby continues to support the STA in a variety of ways and we are very much looking forward to developing the relationship over the coming years so it flourishes.”

Many thanks to all who have helped run these tournaments, particularly Pierre Joly, Simon Yarrow, all the referees and Colin Reid at Scottish Rugby. We look forward to working with our friends at Scottish Rugby to continue running similar competitions in future years!

For more information, please contact marketing@scottishtouch.org.uk

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