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Click here to read the August issue of e-zine.
Exciting season gets underway
31-Aug-2007
Tomorrow (Saturday) sees the much anticipated club rugby season kick-off.
In Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership Division One the clash of the day is at Malleny Park where champions Currie take on cup holder Glasgow Hawks.
There is also an intriguing Edinburgh derby between newly promoted Edinburgh Accies, pictured, and Heriot's at Raeburn Place with many young Scottish prospects on show.
In Division Two it will be interesting to see how Aberdeen Grammar in their first game under new coach Mike O'Donovan, with a tricky trip to Kelso awaiting the.
Ellon welcome Gala in Division Three while in the highly competitive National Leagues the match of the day may be at Langholm where Falkirk are the visitors in Division One.
In the Regional Leagues everyone will be looking forward to dusting off their boots while the Scottish Hydro Electric Cup also starts with the preliminary round.
All games kick-off at 3pm.
The full list of Premiership and National League fixtures can be found in the Fixtures section of the website with other leagues to be added over the weekend.
The Premiership results and reaction will be posted here on Saturday evening while other results will be posted on Sunday morning so keep checking back to keep up to date with the first weekend of action.
If there are any results or news from your particular match that you want to let us know about please email gary@scrummagazine.com
The SCRUM at Inverleith
The SCRUM continued to get out and about at the weekend, being part of the Stewart's Melville family day at Inverleith.
Around 90 people were at the ground to soak up the sun and enjoy the barbecue and the magazine was well received.
Does your club have an event coming up that The SCRUM could visit? If so we want to hear from you, get in touch by emailing gary@scrummagazine.com
Pre-season completed as Porty raise funds
Portobello members raised over £1,000 for club funds on Saturday evening at Scotland's match against South Africa at Murrayfield.
The money will go towards helping repair the clubhouse at Cavalry Park which was ravaged by fire prior to the summer.
Meanwhile, in pre-season action on Saturday Boroughmuir lost 42-19 at Otley but were encouraged by their second half performance.
Glasgow Hawks were given a wake up call at West of Scotland, sneaking through at Burnbrae 26-19 while Hawks second XV were beaten by Glasgow Accies.
Elsewhere Dundee HSFP beat Aberdeen Grammar, Marr beat Preston Lodge 27-7, Crieff & Strathearn beat GHK, Garnock beat Lenzie, Ayr were impressive in winning 46-12 over Clontarf in Dublin and South African Rohan Steyl scored four tries as Watsonians won at Selkirk.
Lamb-tastic Park
Following on from Boroughmuir man Chris Capaldi becoming the face of Quality Meat Scotland's new advertising campaign and featuring in August's magazine, Stewart's Melville's James Park is now getting in on the action.
Park, a 27-year-old who turned out for the second XV at Inverleith last season, was involved in a photo shoot for Scotch Lamb earlier this month.
Bishopton collect silverware
Bishopton won the inaugural Renfrewhire tournament to mark the launch of the newly formed Renfrew Rugby Club last weekend.
The tournament was intended to involve four teams but with Birkmyre withdrew due to lack of numbers, reducing it to a round robin between Renfrew, Bishopton Paisley.
The first game between Bishopton and Paisley whilst being quite open, ended in a scoreless draw with neither team able to cross the whitewash. On a day more akin to November than August, Bishopton finally hit some form in the second game against Renfrew, scoring four unanswered tries top secure the trophy for the village side.
Tomorrow (Saturday) Bishopton take on Calder at Holmpark and with the villagers approaching full strength after injuries and holidays, the anticipation is building under the stewardship of newly qualified SRU coaches David Jackson and Alan Lees.
Do you have news from your club or school that you want to share with the rest of the Scottish rugby community? Get in touch with us at gary@scrummagazine.com and we will endeavour to use it on the website or in the magazine itself.
Busy weekend of pre-season action
With the league season just about upon us there are a number of pre-season fixtures being played across the country this weekend. In terms of club action Saturday is looking very busy.
At Dumbreck, the Cartha 1st XV entertain visitors from Heriot's, the 2nd XV play host to Dalziel and Shawlands take on Paisley all at 3pm.
Also in Glasgow, Glasgow Accies 1st XV take on Glasgow Hawks 2nd XV at the Glasgow Academy School ground at 3pm.
Elsewhere, Selkirk welcome Watsonians to Philiphaugh at 2pm, Hamilton 1st XV face a Watsonians XV while their 2nd XV take on East Kilbride, Dundee welcome Aberdeen Grammar to Mayfield at 3pm.
Currie's 1st XV welcome Irvine to Malleny Park at 2pm and the club barbecue then takes place at 3pm.
Stewart's Melville are travelling to Blaydon to take on the host club and Harrogate in a tournament.
Their bus leaves at 10am from Inverleith while the club is then holding a family afternoon at Inverleith on Sunday.
A spokesman said: "There will be a barbecue, costing £3 per person or £5 for a couple and the bar will be open. With a fair number of new faces at the club for the coming season, this will be an ideal opportunity to get to know each other over a few beers and to kick start the club's social calendar. So please do your best to come along - and bring a friend (or two) with you if you can."Marr also sees a busy Saturday with the 1st XV taking on Preston Lodge at 2.30pm.
Before all that, tonight (Friday) the Edinburgh pro side kick off the weekend's action with a match against Tonga at Myreside (7.15pm).
A number of former club players will be looking to make an impact with Edinburgh this season and will be using this game as a springboard. These include former Watsonians winger Andrew Turnbull while Glasgow Hawks young forward Alan Kelly, who did so well in last weekend's Morisons Solicitors Challenge Cup at Goldenacre, will also get a runout.
Meanwhile, the likes of Ayr man Pat McArthur will look to make an impact in Glasgow Warriors' match at Rotherham tonight.
With such a busy weekend ahead we want to hear from you, so email gary@scrummagazine with any results/news from weekend action and we will put it up on the site on Monday morning.
The SCRUM at Goldenacre
Free copies of the August edition of The SCRUM went down well at Goldenacre on Saturday despite the wet conditions.
Glasgow Hawks eventually won the day long 15-a-side event,beating Edinburgh Accies in the final, and spectators who visited The SCRUM tent throughout the afternoon were given a free copy of the magazine and were entered into a prize draw to win some Samurai kit.
Hawks, for whom Ally Maclay and 17-year-old Richie Gray were impressive, won their pool ahead of the hosts Heriot's, Dundee and Falkirk. Special mention must go to the hardy bunch of Falkirk supporters who had made the trip as they cheered their team on all day in the rain.
In the other pool, Edinburgh Accies saw off Aberdeen Grammar, Boroughmuir and Ardrossan Accies to reach the final and for them new recruit David Blair and young full-back Chris Kinloch did well.
Glasgow Hawks squad: Mark Sitch, Sean Murray, Steve Gordon, Dave Millard, Gavin Macdonald, Ross McCann, Stuart Dunk, Jaimie Millan, Ruaridh Jackson, Kenny Sinclair, Jamie Hunter, Gary Strain, Donald Malcolm, John Maclay, Ally Maclay, Gavin Mories, Chuks Aghanya, Ally Dale, Alan Kelly, Richie Gray, Greg Francis, Niall Caddell, Stephen Kidd, Gordon Mcfadyen.
Meanwhile, Selkirk made it two wins from two in the King of the Sevens on Sunday with victory in their own event at Philiphaugh.
They defeated Hawick in a thrilling final, winning 20-19 with tries from skipper Neil Darling, Lee Jones, Gavin Craig and Fraser Harkness just enough to see them through.
The sevens events now take a break as the 15-a-side season gets ready to begin.
Selkirk squad: Lee Jones, David Cassidy, Scott Hendry, Fraser Harkness, Ross Nixon, Gavin Craig, Ryan Crockett, Rory Aglen, Neil Darling (captain) Calum Johnston.
Sevens continues as pre-season heats up
Selkirk, who started off the season so well last week with a win at the Kelso Sevens last Saturday, are getting ready to host their own event this weekend.
The Selkirk Sevens at Philiphaugh takes place on Sunday.
Draw for Selkirk 7s (First Tie 1.30pm):Hawick v Gala, Kelso v Edinburgh Academicals, Jed Forest v Peebles, Watsonians v Hamilton, Selkirk v Musselburgh, Northumbria University v Langholm, Berwick v National Academy, Royal Scots v Melrose.
Meanwhile, in the Capital at Goldenacre eight teams will take part in the Morisons Solicitors Challenge Cup on Saturday.
Watsonians have pulled out to play a home friendly against Darlington so are replaced in the 15-a-side event by Ardrossan Accies.
Anyone heading down to the event, which will see matches last 25 minutes and the final 35 minutes, will be able to come and get a free copy of The SCRUM as well as having the chance to enter a prize draw.
We will be there throughout the day so come and see us and give us your feedback on the magazine. We look forward to seeing you there.
Draw for the Morisons Solicitors Challenge Cup (First matches 11am) Pool A; Glasgow Hawks, Falkirk, Dundee, Heriot's. Pool B; Edinburgh Accies, Boroughmuir, Aberdeen Grammar, Ardrossan Accies.
Finally, The SCRUM understands that Lasswade's new facilities have been chosen to host the Edinburgh-Tonga clash next Friday.
Selkirk get off to flyer
Selkirk started the new sevens season in as good form as they ended the last, with victory in the Kelso Sevens at the weekend.
Last year's King of the Sevens winners defeated Haddington 22-7 in the first round at Poynder Park before seeing off Border rivals Kelso in the last eight 27-5.
The semi-final then brought them together with Watsonians, who had pushed them so close last season, and they managed a hard fought 26-19 win.
In the final they met Jed Forest and won through 21-15 thanks to a try double from Fraser Harkness and one score from Lee Jones.
Selkirk squad: Lee Jones, David Cassidy, Scott Hendry, Fraser Harkness, Ross Nixon, Gavin Craig, Ryan Crockett, Rory Aglen, Neil Darling (captain) Calum Johnston.
Sevens begin
The King of the Sevens 2007/08 gets underway this Saturday, August 11 with the Kelso Sevens.
Selkirk, the Kings from last year, face a tough opener against Haddington in what promises to be an intriguing event.
Draw for the Wolsley UK Build Centre Kelso Sevens (First Tie 1.30pm): Watsonians v Peebles, Edinburgh Academicals v Hawick YM, Earlston v Kelso, Haddington v Selkirk, JedForest v Berwick, Duns v Gala, Hawick v Langholm, Musselburgh v Melrose.
On this site we will have details of how the event goes and results from other pre-season fixtures after the weekend.
Sun shines on Lasswade and PL
Lasswade's new grandstand was officially opened on Saturday by Scotland legend Peter Wright, with the home side putting in a great performance to mark the occasion by beating a Scotland Select side 40-19.
Hundreds of people turned up at the Midlothian club's Hawthornden ground during the afternoon to enjoy an over-35s match, a colts match and the main event that featured Gregor Townsend.
Lasswade President Ian Barr told The SCRUM: "It was a great day and a perfect way to start the season. The guys are looking forward to playing in the National Leagues this season."
Meanwhile, Haddington took the spoils against East Lothian rivals Preston Lodge in the final of the Preston Lodge 10s at the Pennypit on the same day.
More information and photos from both of these pre-season events will appear in the September issue of The SCRUM.
Hawthornden welcomes stars
Scottish rugby legend Gregor Townsend will be among the stars on show on Saturday, August 4 when a Scottish select XV take on Lasswade to mark the official opening of the Midlothian club's new facilities.
Lasswade President Ian Barr said: "Peter Wright [the former Scotland prop] started his career at Lasswade, so he has put together a great team to come and face us on such a special day for the club.
"We had a great season last time around, winning the league and being unbeaten, and we want to make our new ground tough for other teams to come to."
"We all need to work together"
New SRU President George Jack has asked every club to pull in the same direction over the next 12 months, so that the sport's image does not take any more hits.
He is very much looking forward to getting out and visiting as many clubs as he can over the coming season and making a difference in Scottish club rugby.
He said: "If I can sit over the table from an individual and speak to them, then we can build up a trust with each other and that would move the sport forward.
"The trouble is, that to do it on this basis can take a lot of time, but by whatever means, whether it be via phone or whatever, I am wanting to talk to as many clubs as possible about the issues affecting them."
Sevens up and running again
The King of the Sevens 2007/08 gets underway on Saturday, August 11 with the Kelso Sevens at Poynder Park.
Most sevens enthusiasts are still dusting off their boots after playing in sunnier climes for various social sides over the summer but the competitive action is here again.
The Kelso event will be followed on Sunday, August 19 by the Selkirk Sevens at Philiphaugh, when the home team are likely to be showing off the silverware they won last season, when they topped the King of the Sevens table.
The other eight King of the Sevens events will take place later in the season, but teams will be looking to the two early tournaments to help get them off to a flying start.
Anthony buzzing to get down south
A Dundee youngster is celebrating after securing a move to a top Guinness Premiership club.
Anthony Kent, 17, will move to London next month to link up with the other Wasps Academy apprenticeship members after he impressed coaches during a one-day trial in June.
His dad Jeff said: "When we got the call to tell us that Anthony had been selected to link up with Wasps we were all over the moon.
"He has worked so hard over his rugby in the last few years and he is so dedicated, so hopefully he can make the most of this great opportunity."
Rugby community support Porty
Portobello are fighting back from the fire which ripped through their clubhouse at the end of last season thanks to the help of other clubs and the rugby community in general.
The East League Division Two champions' Cavalry Park clubhouse was left burnt-out after a fire on Sunday, May 27. Within days, a large number of well wishers had logged onto the club's official website and posted their messages of support - including Scotland legend Scott Hastings and former New Zealand Captain Sean Fitzpatrick.
First XV Captain and Webmaster Ed Henderson said: "I heard about the fire on the Monday morning via text message and I couldn't believe it.
"Thankfully the structure of the building remained intact and the support we have had has been great through the summer. A few clubs have volunteered to play us in friendlies, others have wanted to donate strips to us and we are currently sifting through the various ideas with the plan to have a fund-raising event by October."
Rugby-mad Euan fighting back
A rugby-mad youngster from Edinburgh who has had a heart transplant has been told he could be playing his favourite sport again as early as the turn of the year.
In January this year, George Watson's College pupil Euan Flannigan, 14, was told he had a heart murmur and he became seriously ill with a virus.
His dad Keith - who attends Watsonians matches on a regular basis along with Euan's grandfather Joe - said: "Euan loves playing rugby and he is just itching to get back to playing and being amongst his teammates."
Golden boys looking to keep the silverware at home
Heriot's popular pre-season tournament has been relaunched this year with eight Scottish sides set to fight it out for the Morisons Solicitors Challenge Cup.
The event at Goldenacre on Saturday, August 18 - formerly known as the Mansell Cup - will see 15-a-side matches played over 30 minutes, with the winners of each four team pool going on to face each other in the final.
Heriot's beat Boroughmuir in the final the last time the event was played in 2005 and Head Coach Bob McKillop is eager that his side repeat that feat this time around to give them confidence ahead of what he predicts will be a "very competitive" league season.
Morisons Solicitors Challenge Cup draw (first tie 11am, final 4pm)
Pool A: Glasgow Hawks, Dundee, Falkirk,Heriot's.
Pool B: Edinburgh Accies, Boroughmuir, Aberdeen Grammar, Watsonians.
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