After six years of trying, the Huddersfield Rams Australian Rules Football Club have finally triumphed in the Haggis Cup.
Edinburgh played host to this year’s pre-season AFL Scotland tournament, which saw the Rams narrowly beat Glasgow Giants in the first game, before walking over them in the final of this year’s competition.
The Rams, who are sponsored Grosvenor Casino, named a matchday squad that was a dynamic mix of fresh blood, youth and experience, with newcomers getting their first taste of Aussie Rules alongside players who had competed in all five of the previous attempts north of the border.
Huddersfield’s pathway to the final was by no means straightforward as they ran in a couple of close games with wins of less than one goal in two out of three of their games before reaching the final.
Luke Booth, the Rams most decorated player, claimed the tournaments Best on Ground votes, while club founder, Karl Haigh kicked the most goals and Robbie Wilson marked his Rams return with a performance which earned him the club’s own player of the tournament award.
Saturday brings the first round of the AFL Central and Northern England League season, which sees the Rams face off against Manchester Mosquitoes in a rematch of last season’s Grand Final.
Huddersfield will be eager to seek revenge after narrowly missing out on the crown in 2014 in a close final.
The club is always seeking new players of any ability and weekly training sessions are held at Huddersfield YMCA, Laund Hill, Salendine Nook from 6.45pm, every Tuesday.
