The D&G Development League Sevens moved to Langholm on Sunday for the second leg of the Autumn Series. After the good weather enjoyed at Newton Stewart last week the weather definitely changed this week and it was a credit to all the teams the way the boys handled in the wet conditions with a steady rain falling well into the day. The home club made everyone welcome with hot soup on offer to supporters and all the boys were well fed after their games.

With five teams present from Annan, Langholm, Moffat, Newton Stewart and Stewartry each team played four games and the coaches were in agreement afterwards that the format of playing sevens at this stage of the season is excellent for the development of the young teams and is giving all those involved some valuable game time prior to the start of the 15 a side fixtures.

The Sevens bandwagon rolls up to Moffat next Sunday with a 12 noon start.

The Langholm U14’s were at home on Sunday as they took part in the Langholm leg of the D&G Sevens. The weather, however, didn’t spoil the standard of rugby, which for Langholm was direct strong driving runs by the forward line displaying good retention and strong rucking skills, clever linking play between forwards and backs via good presentation at the breakdown with quick, intelligent passing- and lastly the speed merchants in the back line, who, on the full size pitch were more often than not, too elusive to catch.

The tackling overall has improved greatly even since the start of the season with missed tackles down to single figures in 99% of the games.

Winning isn’t everything but with 3 tournaments played, and only 1 game lost, a winning mentality is breeding.

Many thanks to the parents who supplied and served a fine array of food for the drookit supporters, to Ross Mabon for his fair and concise refereeing, and Iain Park for organising a great tournament.

Next stop, Moffat 7’s –Sunday 13th parents/ supporters most welcome.