Andy Drummond had performed an invaluable service to the club in resurrecting the Colts side and in doing so laid the foundation for a Youth Section which was to expand considerably in the next ten years. Taking over from Andy was basically a case of following the format that he had set out in terms of fixtures and training schedules until enough experience had been gained to take the youth set up to the next stage.

The seasons between 1979 and 1982 saw a gradual transition from the regular morning fixtures against a number of local sides to a far larger fixture list which exceeded twenty matches in a season matching the Colts against sterner opposition from further afield. This was essential if we were to prepare players for the rigours that they would face from National League rugby when they moved up to the senior teams. There was also to be a significant shift from playing morning fixtures to most games being in the afternoon. Unfortunately this meant that the more able Colts weren't available for senior XV duty as well as Colts matches.

Most fixtures in this period were against sides such as Banff Academy, Inverurie Academy, Aboyne Academy, Elgin Academy and Robert Gordons College. Although many of these schools no longer run rugby teams and have left it up to the clubs to do the work, the one school against whom we have always had a fixture is Gordonstoun. This fixture was always one of the most entertaining and sporting on the calendar and the opportunity to play against First XV opposition was welcomed when suggested by Ben Goss of Gordonstoun.

In the years 1979-81 it was a case of consolidating on the nucleus of players that Andy Drummond had coached and their talents wer obvious. Although fixtures were fewer they still met with success which included retaining the Aboyne Colts Sevens trophy in 1980. Paul Murray, Greg Vinnicombe, Trevor Keay and Mike Howgego were all in that side along with a young Neil Meldrum and Colin Wilson.

The Colts team from the early days certainly had a sizeable turnover in players. However, a nucleus of regulars ensured that there were always fifteen bodies on the park on a Saturday. Some names from Season 1981-82 and 1982-83 may seem familiar such as Neil Donald, Gordon Gibb, Neil Meldrum, Colin Wilson, Roddy MacDougall, Greg Ritchie, Craig Jeffrey, Tim Hunt, Douglas Hawthorne, Stuart Spence, Jeff Killman and Jimmy Sugden.

Although sporadic attendances at training meant that the quality of play on Saturdays varied there was enought talent developing in these two seasons to suggest that they would do well when progressing to the senior club. This was borne out when the Colts lifted the Highland Under-19 Seven-A-Side trophy on their very first visit sweeping all before them. The team that day compirsed of Graham Lees, Neil Donald, Roddy MacDougall, Tim Hunt, Neil Meldrum, Jeff Killman and Colin Wilson.

Season 1983-84 was very much a year for rebuilding the side but it did see the arrival on the coaching scene of Peter Johnstone from Jedburgh via Ireland who was to prove a big influence on the set up of youth rugby on the club. On the playing front results varied but a fifty per cent success rate was achieved out of twenty one games - the first time that so many fixtures had been fulfilled in one season.

By 1984-85 Aberdeenshire Colts were one of the founding clubs in Royal Bank Youth Leagues (later the Digital Youth Leagues) - North District. For the first time there was an organised competition against other colts sides as well as many more friendlies with Midland teams - a trend that was to grow. However, little was it realised that at the beginning of the season that the club had on their hands one of the most successful sides ever. Not only did the Colts win the Royal Bank Trophy - North District in convincing fashion but went unbeaten for twenty games until losing their last match to Kirkcaldy in the Royal Bank play-offs. Throughout the season the Colts amassed five hundred points and scored seventy three tries. An achievement unlikely to be matched by any other 'Shire side - past, present or future!

A powerful pack containing the likes of Stuart Spence, Greg Ritchie, Alastair Junor, Kenny Davidson and a back row pool of Sean Monaghan, Chris Sugden, Mark Davidson, Colin Johnstone and Malcolm Jeffrey were able to provide superb first and second phase possession. Added to this was a talented back line who were always able to make the most of the ball they received. Martin Bewsher and Graeme Forman at half back were able to let loose one of the best centre combinations the Colts ever had in Tim Ross and Simon Gillion to cause real problems in the heart of most defences. With wingers such as Neil Gillanders, Ewan Stratton and Donald Ballantyne providing the finishing touch, tries came on a regular basis. Full back Eric Hendry also displayed first class defensive capabilities with some great tackling.

Although some players moved on to the Senior side, the core of the team were still available for Season 1985-86. New players on the scene began to make their impact such as Graham Buchan, Jamie Geddes, David Main in the forwards and John Pawson and John Aitken in the backs. In addition the Colts were strengthened with one or two players from the American School who had never played rugby before, notably scrum half Jimmy Cusick and hooker Randy Cockrell. These two made a real impact on the side and soon knew how to celebrate victory with the best of them.

This side retained the Royal Bank Trophy for the club in fine style and completed twenty three fixtures winning seventeen of them amassing six hundred and five points and one hundred and eighteen tries in the process. In addition they won the Highland Under-19 Sevens with some of the best sevens play ever produced by a Colts team conceding only six points in the entire tournament while scoring one hundred and four points.

While success had been achieved at Under-18 level it was recognised that to maintain this level of achievement and provide a steady flow of players for the senior club would require a feeder system to the Under-18 side. To this end, an Under-14 side was set up to attract youngsters at an earlier age. This was a major development in the establishment of a youth section in the club and credit must be given to Peter Johnstone for the tremendous effort he put in getting this idea off the ground. His adventurous mini bus driving was missed by all the Colts!

Seasons 1986-87 and 1987-88 were spent rebuilding the Colts side and saw a whole new batch of players emerge on the scene. In the forwards, Graeme Buchan, Jamie Geddes, Fraser Ross, Clayton Jamieston and Harvey Henderson were regular players while the backs saw the emergence of players like Laurie Scott and David Logan who blended well with the more experienced heads like Neil Gillanders.

In Season 1987-88, familiar names would be the likes of Mark Lambley, Colin Bell, Mike Arthur, Graham Nixon and Gavin Fleming. While success in terms of victories was harder to achieve, all the players involved leamt a great deal about the game. By the end of the season this was evident with the style of play and success did come with the winning of the Aboyne Colts Seven-a-Side tournament. The club was fortunate to have the services of Bruce Liddle at this time whose experience of forward play and knowledge of the game was invaluable. The Colts team saw the emergence around this time of new potential in David Hall, Hamish Skene, Gideon Parker, Nick Rennie, Chris Johnstone and Paul Smith all of whom have gone on to play regularly for the senior club.

By the end of the decade the Youth Section of the club was firmly established with Under-14, Under-16 and Under-18 sides. Now with setting up of mini and midi rugby teams, the future potential for Aberdeenshire R.F.C. augurs well. However, it must be remembered that youth rugby is not an end in itself but a means to an end which is twofold-

Many names have been mentioned in the above paragraphs but limited space prevents listing everyone. To those who have been omitted please remember that you have not been forgotten for the commitment that you made to both the club and the game as well as the sheer enjoyment that you gave to your fellow players and those who were involved in any shape or form with Youth Rugby.

Thanks should also go to the many club members who helped out when their support was called upon and to the parents whose support and transport facilities were invaluable. We can only be glad that the parents never enquired too closely about the post match celebrations!

Gavin Hastings presents track suits and strips to Shire Youth at sponsors evening.