THE curtain fell on the 2023-24 Helensburgh rugby season in memorable fashion on Saturday at Helensburgh Rugby Club’s second annual sevens festival.
Boasting more teams, more age groups and more spectators than the inaugural event last year, the 2024 tournament provided more signs that after several challenging seasons for rugby in Helensburgh, the grassroots game in the local area is very much on the up.
The adult competition, sponsored by Cold Town Beer, saw Birkmyre RFC come out on top, with the Kilmacolm club lifting the Nick Fish Trophy, presented for the first time in honour of the club’s number 12, who died earlier this year.
The under-18 honours went to the Renfrew Raiders and the under-16 prize was lifted by the Currie Chieftains.
In addition to the winners and the Helensburgh RFC teams, the line-up for the day, across the age groups, featured representation from East Kilbride, Stirling County, Royal High Edinburgh, Aberdeen University, Irvine, the ‘Inglorious Bastareauds’ (named in honour of 54-times French international Mathieu Bastareaud, in case you were wondering), HMNB Clyde and ‘Helensbros’.
And the day’s activities weren’t over after the dust settled on the action on the field, with Jaikits Fur Goalposts and Beano Disco providing the music for the after-party in the clubhouse at Ardencaple.
A club spokesperson said: “Thank you to all the teams, supporters, volunteers and referees for making the Helensburgh Sevens Festival a huge success.
“It was great to see the club filled with all day rugby, and for the first time in a while, all three pitches being played on.”
(Photos by Ross Gardner, Guy Phillips and HRFC)
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