YOUNGSTERS with Dunfermline Rugby Club scrummed down to success when they enjoyed a return to competitive play recently.

Teams in the P4, P5, P6 and P7 age groups travelled south to the Borders to take part in the 'Maroon'd@Gala' event, held as part of the Kings of the Sevens senior tournament.

Held as a successful trial for 2021, which will be repeated next year, the 'Maroon'd@Gala' featured a large primary school 'minis' rugby sevens, and equivalent competitions for girls, under-16s and under-18s, as well walking and disabled football, a five-kilometre fun run, live music and other forms of entertainment.

It was the first tournament that the rising Dunfermline stars had been able to participate in since the outbreak of COVID-19, and they made the most of it by producing some excellent rugby.

In their first competition of that nature, the P4s enjoyed the challenge of playing against other teams and proved successful in their age group, while the P5 and P6 teams both finished third, with the former scoring the most tries in their age group with an outstanding 17.

After winning their first and third matches, and losing their second, the P7s defeated Kinross in the semi-final and only lost to Hawick by a single point.

Carmel Matheson, the P7 team manager, said: "We were so pleased that this formidable team had come back after 18 months of next to no rugby, or any way of competitive play, to get to the final.

"All age groups played amazingly. They showed amazing teamwork, drive, spirit, absolute commitment to the game and a hunger for more rugby!"

The club's P3-P7 teams were also invited to take part in a rugby festival in Jedburgh, which was due to take place at the weekend.