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Click here to read the New Year issue of e-zine
Updated on: Wednesday, 05.03.08
Accies celebrations end year with a bang
Thursday, 28-Dec-2007Edinburgh Accies will celebrate the club's 150th year in style over the coming days.
On Saturday, December 29 they are playing a strong Co-optimists side at Raeburn Place at 2pm. The SCRUM will be in attendance so please come and say hello and get your free copy of the magazine.
Then on Monday, December 31 Edinburgh Accies and Edinburgh University will then repeat the very first club game played in Scotland under 1857 laws - 25-a-side and original kit.
Killie's New Year competition draw made
Thursday, 28-Dec-2007The draw for the Inter District Farmers Tournament which will be held at Kilmarnock's Bellsland ground on Tuesday, January 2 is as follows;
Pitch 1 2pm Ayrshire v Dumfries & Galloway
Pitch 2 2pm Stirlingshire v Lanarkshire
Games will be played 20 minutes each way with the two winners competing against each other on pitch 1 and the two losers will also play each other.
A club spokesman said:
"In between these games we have the larger than life slightly out of shape race, eight local contestants will compete for the bragging rights for the trophy. A great day's entertainment is in store so come along and be part of it."
All proceeds from the day go to Cancer Research Scotland.
Scotland under-20s 14 Glasgow Warriors back-up 41
Thursday, 20-Dec-2007
Scotland under-20s head coach Colin Robertson believes his young guns can take a lot of positives out of Wednesday afternoon's defeat to an experienced Glasgow Warriors back-up side.
The match was played at Dunbar's Hallhill ground after the back pitches at Murrayfield were deemed unplayable and the age-grade side stood up well against a pro side including internationalists Kevin Tkachuk, Dougie Hall, Opeta Palepoi and Graeme Morrison.
Although Glasgow eventually won 41-14, Robertson was pleased with what he saw from his squad as they build up for the Six Nations opener against France in February.
He said:
"It was always going to be a tough and physical encounter for our boys against the pros, but generally it was a really good exercise for us. Our next game is against France and we know that will be physical too so it was good for the boys to get used to it."It also gave us a look at combinations in various positions and there are positives to be taken from this exercise."
Glasgow started strongly and had the upper hand in the scrums, but the under-20s defended well and scored with their first attack. Stand-off Jamie Murray put a clever kick through, catching the defence unawares, and winger Tom Bury was first there to go over for the converted try.
The pro side reduced the arrears to 7-5 nine minutes later when winger Colin Shaw got the first of his three tries. The former Glasgow Hawk added two more and Morrison scored on the stroke of half time to make it 24-7.
Five minutes after the break Glasgow scored their fifth try through the impressive prop Tkachuk and they scored another two to wrap up victory. However, the best moment of the half came when a darting run from replacement scrum-half Ross Samson set up Murray for the under-20s second try of the day.
Scorers: Scotland under-20s: Tries: Bury, Murray. Cons: McColl. Glasgow Warriors back-up: Tries: Shaw 3, Morrison, Tkachuk, Mill, Swindall. Cons: Gregor 3.
Scotland under-20s: M Allan; T Bury, R Jackson, S McColl, C Kinloch; J Murray, M Heeks; G Strain, B Ainscough, A Ferrier, F McKenzie, N Patrick, S Burton, J Baird, L Calder. Subs used: N Shannon, L Niven, A Dixon, C Simmonds, K Bryce, R Samson, R Bonner, L Jones.
Glasgow Warriors back-up: M Adamson; S Aitken, G Morrison, S Barrow, C Shaw; C Gregor, Andy Dymock; K Tkachuk, D Hall, B Prescott, J Eddie, O Palepoi, S Swindall, R Vernon, C Forrester. Subs used: E Milligan, Alan Dymock, N Rodger, R Gray, A White, R Mill, R Harley, P MacArthur, S Wilson.
Happy Christmas to all
Thursday, 20-Dec-2007The team at The SCRUM would like to wish all readers of the magazine and those of you who frequently visit the website a Happy Christmas.
We have had a great response from the Scottish rugby community in our first six months and we cannot wait to cover all the action in a jam packed 2008.
To do that we need your help, so please continue to send in your news, views, stories and photos and we will cover your club or school side in the magazine or on our ever more popular website.
We will be updated the website over the Christmas and New Year break so please log in on a regular basis to find out the festive goings on around the country prior to the action returning on Saturday, January 5.
Deaf side looking for players
Thursday, 20-Dec-2007The Scottish Deaf international rugby team is looking for adult male players, regardless of age or experience, who are deaf, hard of hearing or hearing-impaired, to join its squad.
To qualify for the side, prospective team members must have a 25dB average hearing loss between both ears, be Scottish-born, born of Scottish parent or grandparent or resident in Scotland for three years. Players must also be current members of a rugby club.
The team is set to play two international matches during the early part of 2008, both away fixtures. The first game is against Wales and takes place on Saturday, February 9 (venue and kick-off time to be confirmed) and the second, against England, is scheduled for Sunday, March 9 at Broadstreet RFC, Coventry (again, kick-off tome to be confirmed).
Bell Lawrie's Christmas cheer
Thursday, 20-Dec-2007Bell Lawrie, the title sponsors of the Scottish Schools Cup, are giving this year's competing schools and early Christmas gift. Over 1,200 rugby balls will be distributed among every participating team, of which there are 210 this season.
The rugby kit comes as a welcome addition at this time of year, when equipment can be running low after a tough school season. Each competing school will receive a minimum of six new training balls, with fleeces also being given to each participating team coach to reward them for their input into the competition.
Craig Mair of Wallace High School, Stirling, said: "The school is always grateful to receive new rugby kit, especially at a time of year when some of the existing equipment can be looking a bit tired. As a school that is developing the numbers of children playing rugby each year, we are appreciative for any help that we can get."
Marc Wilkinson, Senior Divisional Director of Bell Lawrie added:
"We are proud to sponsor a competition that is developing rugby in schools across Scotland. As a company we are committed to investing in the future of schools rugby and opening the game up to a wider audience with a well-established competition for schools to compete in. The kit give-away has become an annual event, and we look forward to seeing the schools benefiting from new equipment for the rest of the year."
Wandies now need players
Wednesday, 19-Dec-2007Following yesterday's request for a match, Murrayfield Wanderers now have one and are trying to put a team together.
They are playing at home against Portobello at 2pm. This is a social fixture at second/third XV level.
A club spokesman said: "You know that you need to get a break from drinking and shopping!! So let Stuart Dennis (stuart.g.dennis@talk21.com) or Arnie Yule (arnieyule@yahoo.co.uk) know that you want a game."
Killie's French fancy
Wednesday, 19-Dec-2007 Kilmarnock Rugby Club will host 41 French tourists from the Ayrshire town's twin town Ales. A legends match has been organized for Saturday, February 2 at noon, prior to the Kilmarnock against Strathendrick National Cup match which kicks off at 2pm. A ceilidh has also been organised for the evening starting at 7pm. On Sunday, February 3 two coaches will leave Bellsland at 11am to the Scotland-France game, a limited number of tickets are still available. For more information contact Andy Hamilton or Ali McCall.Dundee HSFP's Christmas cracker
Tuesday, 18-Dec-2007This year the Dundee HSFP club Christmas raffle is being run by the youth section, the Dundee Eagles, with all proceeds going to help in their mission to grow the game in the city's schools.
Tickets are available from Colin Whittaker or any of the Eagles committee and coaches. They are also available in the clubhouse.
The draw will be held on New Year's Day and the club would like to thank everyone for their support.
Wandies want festive match
Tuesday, 18-Dec-2007Murrayfield Wanderers are looking for a social fixture on Saturday, December 22, at approximately third XV level. They would prefer to play at Murrayfield.
If any clubs are interested then please contact Arnie Yule ( 0131 334 2793), arnieyule@yahoo.co.uk
.Best wishes to Eddie
Sunday, 16-Dec-2007The Scottish Hydro Electric National League Division Three match between Duns and Trinity Accies was abandoned thon Saturdayis afternoon when a Trinity player suffered a horrible break to his lower leg.Duns were in the lead at half time by 3-0, but barely 10 minutes into the second period replacement back-row Eddie Muller sustained the injury which brought proceedings to a halt.By the time the ambulance removed the casualty from the field it was 3.30pm and with both the darkness and the frost descending rapidly it was decided by all concerned to bring the match to a premature end.
When The SCRUM contacted Trinity on Sunday we were told that Eddie has had an operation on the leg and will be out for a lengthy period. We wish him all the best in his recovery.
Schools Cup semi final draws made
Sunday, 16-Dec-2007The draw for the Bell Lawrie Scottish Schools Cup semi-finals took place this evening on STV's Scotsport Rugby Sunday programme. Scotland Grand Slam hero John Jeffrey joined Scotland and Glasgow Warriors back-row John Barclay, who captained Dollar Academy to their Schools Cup victory in 2004, in the studio with presenter Richie Gray for the formalities.
In the under-18 competition, Merchiston Castle School were drawn against George Heriot's School with Robert Gordon's College being pulled out of the bag alongside George Watson's College.
In the under-15 tournament, the winner of Tuesday's game between St Aloysians College and Hutchesons' Grammar School will face George Watson's College. George Heriot's School will play Edinburgh Academy in, no doubt, an exciting Edinburgh derby.
The Bell Lawrie Scottish Schools Cup competition has enjoyed its largest ever season, with 210 teams taking part at both under 15 and under 18 age groups, allowing close to 5,000 school children the chance to take part in competitive rugby in Scotland.
Now nearing the climax of the competition, the teams have the big prize in their sights - the opportunity to run out on to the international pitch in a bid to lift the coveted trophy. Both the under-15 and under-18 finals will take place at Murrayfield on Friday, January 25 2008. Entry is free for all spectators.
Accies give themselves hope
Saturday, 15-Dec-2007Edinburgh Accies defeated bottom side Dundee HSFP at Raeburn Place this afternoon to boost their chances of top flight survival. The home side won 30-6 with Luke McCann and Scotland age-grade player Ruaridh Bonner in the tries. It puts them nine points clear of the Taysiders at the bottom. Other relegation haunted sides GHA and Stirling County drew with Ayr 6-6 and Glasgow Hawks 27-27 respectfully.
Elsewhere in the Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership Division One, Hawick will be looking over their shoulders after a 47-3 loss at Currie. The thumping win leaves Hawick in the bottom four while Currie, for whom Andy MacMahon scored four tries, are second. Leaders Boroughmuir won 49-22 at home to Heriot's, scoring six fine tries to fight back from 15-0 down early on. Finally, Watsonians won 20-12 at Melrose, tries from Ali Rowe and Andrew Skeen helping them to their first success at The Greenyards in over 20 years.
Howe looking to head into Christmas unbeaten
Saturday, 15-Dec-2007Following last weekend's 12-7 win away at Stewartry, Howe of Fife will be looking for another victory on Saturday against Glasgow Accies to make sure they head into 2008 unbeaten.
So far in 2007/08 the Cupar club has won 14 and drawn one in Scottish Hydro Electric National League Division Two to top the division by 10 points. Glasgow Accies travel to Duffus Park in ninth place and lost the corresponding fixture 20-0 in the west.
Second placed Dumfries will be looking to keep up the pressure with a good performance away to Newton Stewart.
Elsewhere in the club game on Saturday, there should be a cracking match at Riverside Park where fourth placed Jed-Forest welcome leaders Biggar in Premier Two.
SCRUM Editor Gary Heatly will be at the Boroughmuir-Heriot's match in Premier One as the home side look to bounce back from last weekend's first defeat of the season.
Check the website over the weekend for all leagues results and send information on your club's weekend exploits to gary@scrummagazine.com
Bell Lawrie under-18 semi-finalists confirmed
Saturday, 15-Dec-2007George Watson's College has joined Merchiston Castle, George Heriot's and Robert Gordon's in the last four of the Bell Lawrie Scottish Schools under-18 Cup.
Watson's beat North Berwick 21-7 on Thursday, defeating the East Lothian side - conquerors of defending champions Bell Baxter in the last 16 - thanks to two tries from centre Grant Somerville and one from flanker Matt Irvine.
The semis will take place in early January with the under-15 and under-18 finals to be played on Friday, January 25 at Murrayfield.
Shire Sports launch new service
Wednesday, 12-Dec-2007Cheshire based sports tour operator Shire Sports Tours have launched an innovative free service called e-fixtures aimed at UK rugby clubs wishing to host touring teams.
The online service is available for all UK clubs to sign up to and use free of charge (including universities, non-league teams etc) and is designed to keep clubs updated when a team is touring their area so they can easily fix up a friendly match with them. It also allows clubs to post their own free fixture dates online so that Shire Sports can direct touring teams their way.
Postcode data is used to locate local teams within range of the tour base and the nominated e-fixtures person receives fixture dates automatically by email as soon as a tour books in their area. They also get full access to the service online at www.shiresports.co.uk where fixtures can be easily managed and booked. The service is entirely free to sign up to and free to use whether booking or posting fixtures.
Shire Sports Tours managing director Ed Middleton believes this service will vastly improve the speed and efficiency with which touring fixtures are organised in the future.
He said: "E-fixtures is designed to speed up the flow of information and make it easier for clubs around the country to arrange friendly fixtures. There are lots of clubs out there wanting to play touring teams as its great fun and a change from the competitiveness of league cricket, they also get more match practice and increased bar takings. In the past we've had to rely on telling clubs by phone or individual emails when we have tours booked in their area and with a small team it's impossible to do this as quickly as we'd like."
"E-fixtures not only allows us to instantly put the word out to local clubs when a tour books in their area, it also enables these clubs to keep us informed of their own free dates which helps in two ways. Firstly, we often get enquiries from teams who have set dates but don't mind where they tour - we can now place these tours in areas where we know we've got local teams looking for their dates. Secondly, some teams are quite relaxed about when they tour but have their hearts set on touring a particular county - we can use the data we have from e-fixtures to tell such teams when the best time to tour that particular county is."
The e-fixtures service is available to use now at www.shiresports.co.uk
Club rugby to be showcased in extra international
Wednesday, 12-Dec-2007
Scotland's Club International side are to take on their Welsh and Irish counterparts in February as a result of the success of the team over the last two seasons.
The Club International side is made up of players from Premiership clubs who have been performing well over the season, and has become something every player wants to be involved in. The Scots have played the Irish previously in 2006 and 2007.
Discussions are also taking place between Scottish, Welsh, Irish, English and French representatives to start playing a Club International Five Nations over two years from as early as 2009.
Under the plan, each team would play one home and one away game per season.
In the near future, though, the Scottish Club International management team - Ian Rankin (Head Coach), Heriot's George Breckenridge (Assistant Coach) and Boroughmuir's Grant Wilson (Team Manager) - are focusing on the exciting trips to Caerphilly RFC on Friday, February 8 and Donnybrook on Friday, February 22.
The trio know each other well, having been involved last season when the Scots triumphed 18-11 at Boroughmuir's Meggetland ground. At the announcement of this year's fixtures, Rankin, the Dundee HSFP Coach, said:
"It is great that we have two games this time round and it is something all club players are talking about and want to be a part of."
Scotland's Club International fixtures: Wales on Friday, February 22 at Caerphilly RFC, near Cardiff (2.30pm), Ireland on Friday, February 22 at Donnybrook, Dublin (7.30pm).
For this and more great stories pick up a copy of the New Year issue of the magazine, which is out now. Ask at you club for a copy or subscribe via this link.
Berwick go international
Wednesday, 12-Dec-2007Berwick's international links were further enhanced recently when the town's rugby club organised a visit by Mr Ashley White and his daughter Emma from the town's twin City of Casey in Melbourne, Australia.
Ashley is the President of Endeavour Hills rugby club based outside the suburb of Berwick within the city and was delighted to accept an invitation to visit the town as part of his visit to the UK.
"We cannot thank the Mayor and Sheriff and their ladies enough for the warm welcome they gave Ashley and his daughter." said Steve Newman the club's Press Officer. "The town really treated them like royalty and it was very gratifying that both Ashley and Emma were very appreciative for their lunch and tour of the Town Hall."
Ashley and his daughter brought a host of presentations for the town and civic dignitaries and after visiting the cells and the museum went for a guided walk around the town, sally port and the walls.
In the afternoon the civic party and guests transferred to the rugby club at Scremerston for coffee and biscuits and a guided tour of the club and its achievements. They met club officials and discussed the relative difficulties of rugby clubs worldwide.
President Kim Drysdale presented Ashley with a plaque and club tie, a gesture which was reciprocated by the Australian club in the time honoured manner. Emma White also received a club tracksuit top.
It is anticipated the Endeavour Hills veteran side will be touring the UK next year and the club are looking forward to possibly seeing them. Ashley also extended a warm welcome to Berwick to tour whenever they can, something the club is seriously considering.
Website for injured player launched
Monday, 10-Dec-2007A new website to help raise awareness of the David Azhar Appeal has recently been launched. The website aims to raise much needed funds for David, who sustained a serious neck injury following a rugby accident in 2001.
The website, www.davidazhar.com provides visitors with information on ways to help with the appeal, up and coming events as well as a members' area.Money raised from the appeal provides support to sustain David's future and purchase essential equipment that will maintain his health.
David said:
"All money raised is used solely for my benefit, with no money spent on admin costs."
Triangle lose, but improve
Monday, 10-Dec-2007Gala Red Triangle's under-15 side lost their last match in the league programme on Sunday at a chilly Netherdale against Edinburgh BATS.The game started with the Triangle on the front foot with a strong wind at their backs. A good series of drives by the fired up pack saw them win some quick ball that was feed out the line to Andrew Lindsay who went on the outside of the BATS defence to score in the corner.
BATS responded within a minute of the restart when they burst through the Gala line to score under the posts and Triangle were always struggling in the second period, they were now facing a strong wind and were getting tired as they had only 14 players. BATs scored another good try in the middle of the second period to secure the league points.
A Gala Red Triangle spokesman said:
"The Triangle lads can be proud of their display at home this week. In the forwards Ryan Headspeath had another good performance as did Andrew Glover and Jamie Hall. Gavin Noble put in a number of useful tackles and we had a great defender on the pitch in Adam Williams who put in a number of try saving tackles at full back."
Howe of Fife only unbeaten side as Boroughmuir & Gala lose theirs
Sunday, 09-Dec-2007Boroughmuir finally lost their 100% record in their 15th game of the season in the Scottish Hydro Electric Premier 1 as they lost to local rivals Watsonians at Myreside by 17-9.
Premier 3 side Gala also lost their unbeaten crown as they went down at home to a spirited Peebles who handled the snowy conditions better than their local opponents to run out 19-6 winners at Netherdale.
That leaves National League 2 team Howe Of Fife as the only unbeaten side in the Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership and National Leagues unbeaten. They have won 14 of their 15 games with a draw at Newton Stewart the only blemish on a near perfect season.
Ayr's win at Hawick puts them clear second with Heriot's slipping up at Currie but there's still a 19 point gap for them to eat into with just seven games remaining. Stirling County bounced back from last week's hammering against Boroughmuir to beat Melrose 12-6 while at the bottom Dundee HSFP remain in last place although they got to within one point of Glasgow Hawks.
In Premier 2 Biggar stay top following their close 9-5 win over Stewart's-Melville with West Of Scotland's 13-5 victory at home to Jed-Forest keeps them second. Selkirk beat rivals Kelso 33-14 to keep up the pressure on those two and it's turning into a three-horse race at the top. Biggar are on 57, West have 56 and Selkirk are on 55. There's now a 12 point gap to Jed and Stew-Mel.
At the bottom of the division Hillhead/Jordanhill posted their first victory of the season against Musselburgh at home by 13-7 but they'll have to repeat this feat for the most of the remaining games if they have the slightest chance of staying in P2 next season.
Things are getting interesting in Premier 3 with Gala leading on points difference only from Peebles. They both have 64 points with third placed Kirkcaldy wiping away Murrayfield on 59 points to keep the promotion race alive. Berwick recovered from leaking 79 points last week to beat Ardrossan 43-10 and lift themselves out of the relegation zone.
In the National Leagues Falkirk open up a 10 point gap at the top of Division 1 with their 36-0 win over RHC although Garnock have two games in hand. In the second division first placed Howe Of Fife beat second placed Dumfries on the road 7-3 to stay 10 points clear at the top, while in Division 3 Lasswade dented Hawick YM's chances of promotion with a 17-6 victory while leaders Whitecraigs and second team Lenzie had two good away wins.
Tayside Angus youth rugby
Saturday, 08-Dec-2007The presence of Morgan Wasps and Panmure Panthers in Dundee shows that the City of Discovery is not a one-horse town as far as Youth Rugby is concerned. The Wasps were formed in 2003 from an amalgamation of Dundee Juniors and Morgan Academy FP Youth section and play at Forfar Road with training on Sundays at 10:30 and Wednesdays at 6:30pm. They have teams from P4 to Under-16 and were particularly successful last season at U-12 age group finishing runners-up at the prestigious Ayr tournament. They are noted for their touring, together with Brechin Pirates as the Tayside Gurkhas, having been to Wales and Ireland in the past three years and make a return to Wales at U-11 and U-13 level in March next year.
The U-16 team are going to a tournament at Blackpool. With new Morgan SVQ Adam Gillies going into feeder Primary schools and rugby recommencing at Morgan Academy there should be a new momentum to the Wasps recruitment. The Panthers are active from micro to S2 level and train at Forthill in Broughty Ferry on a Sunday.
In the surrounding area Clubs are increasingly promoting rugby in their feeder schools. Arbroath, Montrose and Strathmore have combined to have Kenny Christie as an Angus RDO. This has already paid of with greatly improved school games and a tournament and the Clubs are hoping their initiative with Angus Council and Sport Tayside will reap benefits in developing players to feed into their teams. Brechin and Carnoustie also have active youth rugby teams playing or training on a Sunday.
In Perthshire, as well as the well-established set-ups in Perth and Crieff, Blairgowrie RFC have invested in a SVQ, Gavin Wynd, who is going into local Primary Schools and Atholl at Pitlochry has an expanding youth training under local GP Graham McCrory. Tayside is an area where all the Clubs are trying very hard to improve the number of youth players in the game. It shows that Clubs at all levels need to be given the support, financial and volunteers, to bring through the local talent rather than rely on the biggest Club in the area to monopolise the activities. The increased involvement in schools is to be heartedly congratulated and hopefully these youngsters will eventually swell the ranks of senior players locally in their Clubs and make the game stronger at this level.
Ricky tackles African 3 peaks challenge
Wednesday, 05-Dec-2007Following his two-man expedition to the Tien Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan in 2006, Chartered Accountant and Glasgow Hawks rugby player Ricky Munday is facing up to a new challenge as he steps up his preparations to eventually scale Mount Everest in 2010.
Ricky, 30, works as a Senior Analyst for Bank of Scotland Corporate, but in July and August next year he will be heading to Africa in an attempt to stand on the 3 highest peaks on the continent; Mount Stanley (5,109m), Mount Kenya (5,199m) and Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895m). Following this, he plans to make an attempt on the world's sixth highest mountain Cho Oyu (8,201m) in 2009, followed by Mount Everest (8,850m) in 2010.
Prior to this challenge, Ricky will spend 4 months on secondment working in Thomas Barnardo's House Orphanage in Nairobi, which is currently home to 180 orphaned, abandoned and destitute children whose age ranges from birth to early twenties. The children are housed in 9 family units, each with a resident 'Mother. Most of the children attend the 'Jonathan Gloag Academy' situated nearby. Both the orphanage and the school are supported by The Balcraig Foundation and directed by Ann Gloag (a co-founder of Stagecoach plc). This secondment is supported by his employer Bank of Scotland Corporate. The Home is entirely reliant on donations and has a growing commercial department (where Ricky will be based), which runs a number of projects to generate income to support the home and reduce dependency.
The hard work will all be worthwhile for Ricky if he succeeds in raising £5,000 for The Balcraig Foundation. Ricky wants to use his experience to not only raise funds through his subsequent climb, but to make a positive difference to the lives of the orphans by being a positive role model during his placement in the orphanage.
"By necessity, the children have a number of strong female role models in their lives, including the House Mothers, and the majority of volunteers are female. It's important that they also have male role models and I hope to inspire the children to set their goals in life high".
"In 2004 I completed the 'toughest footrace in the world', the Marathon des Sables', so I know that I have the stamina and determination required to complete the climbs. Completing this made me realise that I could set myself challenging goals, and there is no higher goal to aim for than the summit of Everest. Furthermore, attempting to climb Khan Tengri (6,995m) last year was a massive step up in terms of scale and gave me great experience of existing in a hostile environment. Although we were unable to make the summit because of continual bad weather and the related avalanche danger, we did spend a night at Camp 3 (5,800m) and got back off the mountain in one piece and raised over £2,200 for good causes. The experience I gained on that expedition should stand me in good stead over the next 3 years."
Ricky has been a member of Glasgow Hawks RFC 1st XV for the last 9 seasons, during which time he has won 3 league winner's medals and 2 Scottish Cup winner's medals. He is hoping this profile will help raise awareness and attract community support for his ambitious challenges.
"In 2006, I received great support from my friends, colleagues and rugby club. The HBOS Foundation will also match funds raised to the value of £500," said Ricky. "Even a few pounds will make a huge difference and mean the Balcraig Foundation can continue their invaluable work supporting orphaned children in Africa."
Ricky has set up an online fundraising page on www.justgiving.com/rickyafrica3peaks. He is also looking for corporate sponsors and can supply a fundraising dossier with sponsorship opportunities on request.
Girls too hot to handle
Wednesday, 05-Dec-2007Playing their first competitive games of the season Ayr Under 18 Girls showed no mercy as they won all their games whilst maintaining a score sheet with no points against them to return home with the silverware at a tournament in Glasgow organised by the Scottish Womens Rugby Union.
A score in the first minute set the scene for a great team display as they saw off Carrick 27 - 0, next up were Hillhead/Jordanhill and a 10 - 0 score line was enough to secure the spoils. The Coaches said
'It was a real team performance with plenty of ball secured to make the scoring opportunities, the girls had been looking forward to the day for several weeks as it was competitive rugby that was needed after many weeks of hard training'.
The Girls followed this with a home tie against Cowall that saw another clean sheet and plenty of tries scored by Ayr.
Scottish Rugby unveils strategic plan
Wednesday, 05-Dec-2007Scottish Rugby is aiming to recruit an extra 11,000 players to the game in the next five years. The aggressive target is revealed today as Scottish Rugby begins presentations of its strategic plan to its member clubs.
The plan - Scottish Rugby: Growing locally, performing successfully, competing globally - sets out the governing body's vision across four key areas:-
- Community rugby
- Rugby performance
- Financial and commercial
- Governance and administration
Scottish Rugby's Chief Executive Gordon McKie said:
"Our plan is about evolution rather than revolution and aims to build on the success of the Genesis Report, which has been the basis on which we've done our annual business plans over the last two years."
The first presentation to clubs takes place tonight at Jed-Forest RFC, Riverside Park, Jedburgh (7pm) and will be followed by presentations in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth and Inverness in the weeks ahead.
On the community game, Scottish Rugby plans to achieve a 35% increase in adult players and a 38% increase in youth players by 2012, so that the current 27,000 total player number reaches 38,000. This number includes male and female players.
Colin Thomson, SRU's Head of Community Rugby, said:
"The key to us meeting this target is to all work together through continuing to develop the network of partnerships, formal and informal, whether between schools and clubs or clubs, Scottish Rugby, local authorities and other stakeholders.
"The numbers may sound ambitious but what they mean is that if each club currently playing the game can raise an additional 14 players a year, each year in senior, junior clubs or in local schools or mini sections and retain them, then we will hit our target.
"This may be difficult in some areas that have already shown dramatic growth in recent years. However, it's critically important we target areas to expand our numbers.
"And if we increase the number of players, we must obviously look to increase the number of referees and coaches and volunteer administrators as well because without that infrastructure you cannot sustain growth in the game."
Targets for referees by 2012 would be for an increase from the current 423 qualified officials to a minimum of 1,000.
The number of UKCC qualified coaches would have to more than quadruple from the current 424; and more than 8,000 people would be required as volunteers to ensure Scotland's rugby clubs could thrive.
On rugby performance, the plan has ten objectives committed to making the professional game in Scotland successful and ensuring that national teams can compete at the highest level. The plan will be measured against Rugby World Cup performance, world rankings for the national team, improving Six Nations win rates, standing in the Six Nations and benchmarks for the pro-teams such as finishing positions in the Magners League and knockout qualification in the Heineken Cup.
For the professional teams, both Edinburgh and Glasgow are targeting regular top five Magners League finishes by 2012 and both teams are aiming to reach the quarter final stages of the Heineken Cup at least once by that time.
On the topic of international players, Scottish Rugby wants to increase the number of Scottish pro team players playing for the national team; a minimum of 20 players in a 30-man squad should come from the Scottish based pro teams.
On financial and commercial, Scottish Rugby aims to remain financially sustainable and increase attendances at professional and national team matches, while on governance and administration the plan calls for Scottish Rugby to set new standards and drive sport forward in Scotland and to enhance and maintain partnerships with the Scottish Government and Glasgow 2014 among other bodies.
Gordon McKie added:
"Our plan has been approved by the Scottish Rugby Board and endorsed by the Scottish Rugby Council. It will now be presented to our member clubs and other stakeholders and will be subject to rigorous scrutiny. I have no doubt the plan will evolve over the five years and forms the backcloth for us to continue to drive Scottish Rugby forward."
Fort William club working hard at grass roots level
05-Dec-2007Lochaber RFC are based in what is mainly 'Shinty Country' but over the years the club has been working very hard, along with the SRU Development Officers and The Highland Council Schools in the Lochaber area to promote rugby for the boys and girls of Lochaber.
The club's claim to fame is in one of their Mini girls, Rachael Nicolson, made it in to the SWRU Scotland team. Lochaber RFC's Pauline Donaldson says: "There's not much of her, but she's a tough act and is always willing to lend a helping hand to promote rugby in our area if time allows her now that she works and lives in Glasgow".
Recently a partnership agreement has been set up between Lochaber RFC and Scottish Rugby Union for the employment of Sessional Coach Paul Mellis to develop rugby within Lochaber High School and encourage players to play at Lochaber RFC.
This is an initial 1-year appointment but is viewed as the first step in the club's plan to have sustainable coaching provision in Lochaber High School. Lochaber Sports Council has supported this scheme and recently approved a grant application for sports development and to provide specialised training equipment.
Brian Bell from the SRU has set up a schedule this year for clubs in the Highlands to hold rugby festivals for P4-P7 and S1-S2. The ethos is whether you have 3 or 33 players, you bring them along and everyone will get a game. This has been a great success, especially for the smaller clubs in the Highlands who do not have enough of one age group for a full team. If the kids don't get games - you loose them, so this works extremely well.
The S1-2's have been very successful so far. Their first rugby festival was away at Highland where they were put through their paces. On their return they worked on some problem areas with Coach Malcie Cameron prior to embarking on a long trip to Orkney where they came home victorious, and continued their winning streak at Moray and at their own rugby festival in Lochaber. It has taken a lot of hard work and commitment from coaches and committee members to get to this stage, but it's worth it and the club are fighting hard to continue to keep the game alive in their area.
To find our how you can become involved with the club either on or off the pitch, visit: www.lochaberrfc.co.uk
Boroughmuir now only 100% team in premier and national leagues
01-Dec-2007In the Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership, Boroughmuir hammered Stirling County 61-3 to prove their recent close matches are a thing of the past. It gave them 14 out of 14 for the season.
With Falkirk from the National League 1 losing for the first time this season - 9-8 at East Kilbride - it means Boroughmuir are the only team with a 100% record although Gala are still unbeaten with 13 wins and a draw in P3. Their latest victory was a 66-10 thrashing of Livingston on the road.
In Premier 1 Ayr beat Heriot's 24-17. It means Heriot's stay second but only on points difference in front of Ayr with Melrose ending their four match losing streak with a 17-13 win at home to Dundee HSFP after trailing 0-13. In the other P1 games Currie beat Watsonians, Edinburgh Accies got the better of Glasgow Hawks and GHA defeated Hawick.
Biggar still top the Premier 2 table thanks to a 29-25 victory away at Haddington. West Of Scotland are second still following their victory over Stewart's-Melville at Inverleith. This was the first time Stew-Mel have lost in 10 games. Selkirk's win at bottom-club Hillhead/Jordanhill keep them third while Jed-Forest beat Aberdeen Grammar to move into fourth spot.
Gala are four points clear at the top of Premier 3 but second team Peebles completed their ninth win on the trot with a 79-7 demolition of Berwick at The Gytes, chalking up 13 tries on the way. Third placed Kirkcaldy got their bonus point to keep in contention in the promotion race, winning 39-10 at Morgan Rugby.