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Click here to read the October issue of e-zine
Strathmore 2s after a game this weekend
31-Oct-2007Due to a cancellation, Strathmore are looking for a second team fixture this Saturday, November 3. Any teams interested should contact Graeme Crozier on 07748150312 for further information.
The third round draw for the Scottish Hydro Electric Cup
The third round draw for the Scottish Hydro Electric Cup was made at Murrayfield on Tuesday. National League clubs enter the competition at this stage, although it is still played at a regional level. The Premiership clubs join the competition in the next round.
Ties are to be played on Saturday, February 2.
Scottish Hydro Electric National Cup Round Three draw
East
Lismore v Forrester
Broughton v Linlithgow
Ross High v Preston Lodge
Hawick Linden v Langholm
RHC v North Berwick
Lasswade v Trinity Accies
Hawick Harlequins v Duns
Hawick YM v Edinburgh University
Caledonia
Falkirk v Grangemouth
Aberdeenshire v Hillfoots/Alloa
Caithness v Howe of Fife
Moray v Orkney
Crieff & Strathearn v Banff
Kinross v Glenrothes
Strathmore v Highland
Madras College FP v Gordonians
West
Whitecraigs v Greenock Wanderers
Stewartry v East Kilbride
Garnock v Helensburgh
Strathclyde Police v Glasgow Accies
Allan Glen's v Glasgow University
Waysiders/Drumpellier v Dumfries
Annan v Dalziel
Newton Stewart against the winners of Lanark v Millbrae
The winners of McLaren v Loch Lomond against Marr
Kilmarnock v Strathendrick
Wigtownshire v Cumbernauld
Cambuslang v Lenzie
The outstanding second round ties - Lanark v Millbrae and McLaren v LochLomond- are due to be played on Saturday, January 5. The draw was also made on Tuesday for the Scottish Hydro Electric Plate Round One ( ties to be played on Saturday, February 2)
Scottish Hydro Electric Plate Round One
West
Byes: Moffat; Islay; Jordanhill Phoenix; and Oban Lorne
Carrick v Uddingston
The losers of McLaren v Loch Lomond against Bishopton
Paisley v GHK
Hughenden v Strathaven
Isle of Mull against the losers of Lanark v Millbrae
Clydebank v Calder
Birkmyre v Isle of Arran
Cumnock v Clydesdale
Caledonia
Byes: Waid Academy FP; Carnoustie HSFP; St Andrews University; Aboyne, Mackie Academy FP; and Huntly
Aberdeen University v Garioch
Harris Academy FP v Bannockburn
Arbroath v Peterhead
RAF Kinloss v Aberdeen Wanderers
Ross Sutherland v Fife Southern
Stornoway v Blairgowrie
East
Byes: Earlston; and Meggetland
Portobello v Penicuik
Moray House v Inverleith
St Boswells v Edinburgh Northern
Liberton v Gala YM
Dalkeith v Leith
Dunbar v BATs
Young James has great night out
30-Oct-2007Uddingston Mini Rugby player Alexander James had a starring role for the Glasgow Warriors on Friday night when he was selected to be the team mascot for the Warrior's Magners League fixture against Munster, at the Firhill Arena.
Alex, who plays for Uddingston mini rugby's P5 squad, had the honour of leading out the teams before watching a thrilling match, which ended in a draw 11-11, maintaining the Warriors long standing unbeaten home record.
After the game Alex got to meet some of his rugby heroes, rounding off a great night for the young Uddingston player.
Muir get over tough hurdle to stay top
30-Oct-2007Boroughmuir remain unbeaten in Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership Division One after a 32-15 win over Ayr at Meggetland this afternoon. Five tries were scored by the home side through Freddie Lait, Graham McCallum, Olo Brown, Angus Martyn and Elgan O'Donnell while Kiwi O'Donnell was also in the points with the boot. Damien Kelly scored two tries for the visitors but it was not enough.
Elsewhere in the top flight, second place Melrose kept up the chase with a 33-17 win over GHA at The Greenyards, Scott Wight getting Craig Chalmer's men off and running with their first try. Hawick, fresh from a win over Melrose last week, lost to Glasgow Hawks 24-10, pro Colin Shaw amongst the scorers for the en from the west at Old Anniesland.
Currie sneaked the derby at Raeburn Place against Edinburgh Accies by a point, wingers Andy Hutt and Geoff Caldwell touching down in the tense 27-26 victory. Watonians won 20-19 at Stirling County, centre Doug Brown the hero with two tries, while Heriot's edged out Dundee 26-23 in a cracker at Mayfield. Meanwhile, in the Division Two match of the day Stewart's Melville FP secured a 32-12 win over Kelso at Inverleith to record their fifth win in a row. The home side led just 6-0 at the break but tries came from Stu Ker, Richard Borthwick, Tupu Saena and Jimmy Moran led them to an ultimately comfortable victory.
Two in form teams meet at Meggetland
Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership Division One leaders Boroughmuir are getting ready to welcome an in form Ayr side to Meggetland this Saturday. Craig Redpath's Millbrae men will prove tough opposition for 'Muir given that they are unbeaten in five weeks following a slow start to the campaign.
Ayr have seen off two other Edinburgh sides in the last two matches, beating Edinburgh Accies and Currie, but may again be without influential scrum-half AJ McFarlane through injury. The hosts were lucky against GHA last week and there is no doubt Coach Eamon John and captain Rory Couper will have them fired up for this one.
Elsewhere, second place Melrose host battlers GHA, Watsonians go to Stirling County knowing another win is a must to keep up their challenge, Hawick will travel to Glasgow Hawks full of confidence, Dundee HSFP and Heriot's meet at Mayfield and Edinburgh Accies and Currie meet in derby.
All eyes in Division Two will be on Inverleith where Stewart's Melville FP and Kelso meet. Both sides had terrible starts but the hosts have won their last four matches and Kelso have won their last three, including last week's coupon buster over Haddington. New top side West of Scotland take on Biggar.
In Premier Three, meanwhile, leaders Gala welcome Perthshire to Netherdale, the visitors coming off the back of superb wins over Ardrossan Accies and Berwick.
In the National Leagues the bottom two meet in Division Two, Stewartry taking on Allan Glen's at Greenlaw. Check the website over the weekend for all the other leagues results and send information on your club's weekend match to gary@scrummagzine.com
Cup action back again
23-Oct-2007The Regional League clubs are back in Scottish Hydro Electric National Cup action this weekend, with Crieff & Strathearn hosting league rivals St Andrews University in the pick of the ties.
The second round match at the King George V playing fields pitches sixth place in Caledonia League Division One against first with the students having only lost one match so far. When the sides met in the league at the same venue in September St Andrews managed to win 25-20.
Elsewhere in the Caledonia region of the draw Division Two (North ) sides Banff and Ross Sutherland clash at Duff House, while Kinross play Harris Academy, Arbroath take on Gordonians, Aberdeen Wanderers meet Orkney, Moray take on Fife Southern and Aberdeen University meet Aberdeenshire.
In the West region Bishopton face a tough test away to Division One pacesetters Waysiders Drumpellier in the top match. Portobello host Division One top team Hawick Linden in the East region with the visitors fresh from a thumping win over Earlston in the league last time out. Division Two new boys Meggetland will also be out to cause shock when they welcome North Berwick, from the division above them - to Edinburgh.
Isle of Mull have been named Scottish Hydro Electric Club of the Month
22-Oct-2007Isle of Mull have been named Scottish Hydro Electric Club of the Month for September. It is the first time the award has gone to an island club.
Last month Mull won all five of their matches in the Scottish Hydro Electric West Regional League's third division. They are second in the table with 23 points, having collected try-scoring bonus points in three of those games. In addition to the league performance, the club also had a clean disciplinary record last month.
Mull Secretary Duncan Swinbanks told the official SRU website: That's wonderful news. It's great for a club out in the so-called wilderness when someone remembers you. Things are going really well here, especially in developing the game." He also paid tribute to the support the club has had from Kenny Murray, Scottish Rugby Development Manager for the area.
The Isle of Mull 7s is a well established and popular end-of-season tournament in Scottish rugby. In May this year the tournament attracted 16 men's teams and 10 women's. The Club of the Month selection panel also took into account Mull's energy and enterprise in growing the game on the island. A recent example was a Tag Rugby Roadshow (Tag is a non-contact form of the sport), a venture which was followed up with a series of satellite Tag clubs being set up throughout the island.
Mull are enthusiastic supporters of the Argyll and Bute youth rugby gatherings. The club send teams no matter the distance they have to travel off the island to those monthly events. In addition, two Mull players are in the Glasgow under-16 training squad.
Anna Crampin, partnership manager for Scottish Hydro Electric, added: "We are proud to support club rugby because of teams like the Isle of Mull who thoroughly deserve the recognition of a national award after the hard work of their players, supporters and volunteers."
The award was presented to the club at Scottish Hydro Electric's shop in Tobermory on Friday.
The club of the month honour for the island club follows Tobermory High School's double success in the Martin Currie Festival of Rugby at Murrayfield during the IRB sevens in June, when island youngsters achieved the unique double of winning the S1 mixed Tag event and the fair play award. That success was a rewarding follow-up from the venture of setting up Tag clubs around the island.
The success of Mull's youth section, ably led by Fergus Whyte, has also allowed the islands Tobermory High School to join with the mainland Oban High School in fielding combined teams in the Bell Lawrie Scottish Schools Cup under-18 and under-15 competitions.
All that rugby development work on the island is supported by the club's Isle of Mull lottery, which raises around £20,000 per annum.
The Scottish Hydro Electric Club of the Month competition will continue throughout the season. Nominations should be sent to Scottish Rugby no later than the last day of each month.
The Premiership roundup
21-Oct-2007Boroughmuir made it eight out of eight wins in Premier 1 with another win, this time on the road at GHA by 24-18. In the big Borders derby Hawick remained unbeaten at Mansfield Park by bringing Melrose's winning run of six games to an abrupt end despite being 10 points down.
The huge crowd of over 1500 saw Hawick once again come from behind to get the win, denying Melrose of a bonus point, taking the match 30-22. Ayr go up to third in the league by beating Currie 17-3 at Millbrae while Heriot's got back to winning ways 20-5 at Goldenacre against Glasgow Hawks and fellow Edinburgh club Watsonians won 23-20 at Myreside against a determined Dundee HSFP team.
In the other P1 match Stirling County managed a narrow win over Edinburgh Academicals by 23 points to 21.
In Premier 2 the shock of the day was league toppers Haddington crashing to strugglers Kelso 27-19 at Poynder Park. This was Kelso's third win on the trot and their first home win of the season.
In the Border derby at Philiphaugh Jed-Forest lost away for the first time to a well-drilled Selkirk 31-17, leaking five tries in the process. Selkirk stay third but West Of Scotland go back to the top of the table thanks to a 29-3 win over Musselburgh.
Biggar collected a home win over Aberdeen Grammar 26-20 while Hamilton won the Glasgow battle of the day in that division against Cartha Queens Park 33-20. Improving Stewart's-Melville travelled to Hillhead/Jordanhill to collect their fourth straight win after starting the season with four defeats. Their 20-16 win sets up next week's home match against Kelso which should be an exciting affair.
Into P3 and Gala maintained their unbeaten record with an eighth win, but didn't have it all their own way. Dunfermline led 12-0 early on but succumbed to Gala's power in the pack and a red card to one of their players didn't do them any favours as they tried to get back on top in the final 40 minutes with 14 men on the park.
Gala's 30-22 victory gave them a bonus point. There were wins for Peebles at Irvine (who stay second), Kirkcaldy (41-10 winners at home to Ardrossan Academicals), Ellon (who beat Livingston 51-8) and Perthshire (with a 44-5 win at home to Berwick) while Morgan Academy defeated Murrayfield Wanderers 43 points to 5.
Millbrae not for the faint hearted ahead of Currie visit
The top two from the top flight last season meet on Saturday in what should be an intriguing battle. Ayr welcome reigning champions Currie to their patch for the Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership Division One match having defeated Edinburgh Accies last time out.
Craig Redpath's men are currently unbeaten in four matches and have moved up to fourth in the table as a result and are likely to give stand-off Kenny Diffenthal his home debut. Currie have stuttered a bit this season but still sit third and the win against GHA will have given them confidence and Ally Donaldson and his side know that they are capable of going on a good run from now until the Christmas and New Year break.
Elsewhere, leaders Boroughmuir take their unbeaten record to Braidholm to play bottom side GHA while no quarter will be given at Mansfield Park hosts Hawick against old rivals Melrose. Heriot's host Glasgow Hawks, with both sides looking to bounce back after defeats in high-scoring games last weekend, while Stirling County face relegation rivals Edinburgh Accies and Watsonians square up against Dundee HSFP at Myreside.
In Division Two, leaders Haddington face a tough trip to Kelso who have won their last two matches. Division Three front runners Gala welcome fourth placed Dunermlne to the Borders while second-placed Peebles re at Marress against Irvine.
Check back here on Friday to find out who is the first club of the month this season and over the weekend for all the results and updated tables from all the club action and email any information on your weekend games to gary@scrummagazine.com
EK looking for win at Violetbank to keep pressure up
15-Oct-2007East Kilbride know they must secure another win on Saturday against Annan to keep on the heels of Scottish Hydro Electric National League Division One runaway leaders Garnock and Falkirk on Saturday.
EK travel to seventh placed Annan after a 19-14 win over Preston Lodge last time out while the hosts will be on a high after a good victory at Cambuslang.
At the top, Garnock play Cambuslang this weekend with Falkirk travelling to face struggling Edinburgh University at Peffermill.
In Division Two leaders Howe of Fife visit Kilmarnock, while bottom two Glasgow Accies and Stewartry meet in a crucial encounter at New Anniesland.
Division Three sees bottom against top at Hardens Field with Duns taking on the daunting task of beating Lenzie. The match of the day in the Regional Leagues looks like being in Scottish Hydro Electric West League Division One where second place Strathclyde Police are the hosts to fourth place Cumbernauld at Lochinch.
Check back here on Friday to find out who is the first club of the month this season and over the weekend for all the results and updated tables from all the club action and email any information on your weekend games to gary@scrummagazine.com
Watsonians beat Hawks in thriller
13-Oct-2007Watsonians defeated Glasgow Hawks 41-31 at Old Anniesland today in what was a high-scoring afternoon in Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership Division One.Mike Ker, Rohan Steyl, Ali Rowe and Mala Mailo scored tries for the visitors to give them their fourth win of the season.
Elsewhere, leaders Boroughmuir are still unbeaten after a 40-20 win at Meggetland over Hawick. Captain Rory Couper led the way with four tries, while Angus Martyn scored two. Tom Bury also crossed
Currie got back on track at Malleny Park, squeezing out GHA 33-25 with young back-row men James Taggart and Stevie Burton amongst the scorers as the Braidholm men stayed bottom.
Dundee HSFP edged out Stirling County 32-25, Melrose kept up their title charge with a 41-27 home win over Heriot's and Ayr controlled the game to beat Edinburgh Accies 21-20 at Raeburn Place, two late tries from the home side making the final scoreline tighter than it should have been.
Check the website over the weekend for all the other leagues results and send information on your club's weekend match to gary@scrummagzine.com
PL hope to stay on a high
10-Oct-2007
After scoring 62 points without reply after the break to beat Cambuslang last weekend Preston Lodge will be looking for more of the same on Saturday when they welcome RHC Cougars to the Pennypit in Scottish Hydro Electric National League Division One.
The East Lothian side are sitting third at the minute while their opponents from Edinburgh are sixth.
In Division Two, unbeaten leaders Howe of Fife host Allan Glen's while second place Forrester are at home to Highland who are just behind them in the table.
Whitecraigs, pictured, should dispose of Glenrothes at West Lodge given that they are second and their opponents 10th in Division Three, but Glenrothes have been doing better since they shipped 120 points to Marr in mid-September.
The game of the day in the Regional Leagues could be the university clash between Stirling and St Andrews in Caledonia League Division One.
Check back here over the weekend for all the results and updated tables from all the club action and email any information on your weekend games to gary@scrummagazine.com
'Rose keen to keep home form going
10-Oct-2007
Melrose go into Saturday's home match against Heriot's looking to continue their great start to the season and keep the pressure on leaders Boroughmuir in the Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership Division One table.
Craig Chalmers men will be on a high after a superb 24-16 win at Watsonians at Myreside last weekend, when hooker Wayne Mitchell, pictured, led the way with the opening try.
They will come up against a Heriot's side who have had an up and down start to the campaign but are heartened by the performance of a number of their youngsters so far, the likes of back-row Craig Simmonds.
Meanwhile, 'Muir welcome third place Hawick to Meggetland looking to remain unbeaten, bottom club GHA travel to Currie who have lost three on the spin and mid-table sides Glasgow Hawks and Watsonians square up at Old Anniesland knowing a win is a must.
Edinburgh Accies, buoyed by their 20-19 smash and grab win at Dundee HSFP, welcome Ayr to Raeburn Place and Dundee HSFP and Stirling County's clash completes this weekend's top flight card.
In Division Two new leaders West of Scotland face a testing trip to Mike O'Donovan's Aberdeen Grammar and Stewart's Melville FP will be looking for their third win on the trot when they welcome Selkirk to Inverleith.
Gala travel to Berwick for a Borders derby in Division Three, while second place Kirkcaldy visit The Gytes to play Peebles.
Check back here over the weekend for all the results and updated tables from all the club action and email any information on your weekend games to gary@scrummagazine.com
Up for the cup
10-Oct-2007
Crieff and Strathearn, runners-up in the National Plate competition last season, opened their bid for a return to Finals Day at Murrayfield in May by winning away to Perthshire rivals Blairgowrie in the Scottish Hydro Electric Cup first round on Saturday.
Now they have drawn a home tie against St Andrews University in the Caledonia Region's second round on Saturday, October 27.
St Andrews currently lead the Scottish Hydro Electric Caledonia League Division One with four wins in five matches last month, whereas Crieff and Strathearn lie seventh in the table.
Also in Caledonia Region, the draw paired Granite City rivals, with Aberdeen University at home to Aberdeenshire. University lead Caledonia's Division Two (North) with three wins in three games whereas 'Shire lie third in the first division.
Hawick Linden, East League leaders with five wins from five games, will visit Portobello. In the West Region the Division One and Two leaders, Cumbernauld and Paisley, have been drawn to meet each other at Lochinch.
GHK, who beat Crieff and Strathearn in the Plate final in May, were eliminated from the Cup competition on Saturday, losing at home against Glasgow University, pictured, in the West Region's first round. University now have a home second-round tie against Birkmyre.
GHK can now continue their defence of the Plate as they will go into the draw for that competition later this month along with other losing clubs in the Cup's first and second rounds.
Full draw:
East Region - Second Round
(Ties to be played on Saturday 27 October)
Hawick Harlequins v Dalkeith
Ross High v Gala YM
Meggetland v North Berwick
Portobello FP v Hawick Linden
Earlston v Broughton FP
Caledonian Region - Second Round
(Ties to be played on Saturday 27 October)
Kinross v Harris Academy FP
Aberdeen Wanderers v Orkney
Moray v Fife Southern
Crieff & Strathearn v St Andrews University
Arbroath v Gordonians
Banff v Ross Sutherland
Aberdeen University v Aberdeenshire
West Region - First Round
(Tie to be played on Saturday 27 October)
McLaren FP v Mid Argyll
West Region - Second Round
(Ties to be played on Saturday 27 October)
Strathclyde Police v Clydebank
Isle of Mull v Strathendrick
Paisley v Cumbernauld
Waysiders Drumpellier v Bishopton
Oban Lorne v Wigtownshire
Lanark or Carrick v Millbrae
Glasgow University v Birkmyre
(Tie to be played on Saturday 5 January)
McLaren FP or Mid Argyll v Loch Lomond
Hat-trick for Brown in Gordonians win
10-Oct-2007Standin skipper Neil Brown scored three tries as Gordonians secured a place in the second round draw of the National Cup with a comfortable 69-0 victory over Garioch at Countesswells on Saturday.
The hosts scored 11 tries in all and the club's website stated: "There were many positive features to the afternoon's proceedings: Ally Elder and Richard Gray always looked dangerous on the wings; Paddy Cooney not only deputised effectively for Jamie Garden at scrum-half but also produced a couple of electrifying runs which delighted the crowd; Donald Prentice kicked well; the link and support play from all the players was very good; and, most encouragingly, the team's defensive play was consistently very solid with the result that Garioch failed to score.
Meanwhile, Broughton's Chris O'Neill has been forced to retire after the back-row man popped his shoulder again ahed of the club's 31-13 National Cup win over Inverleith.
If you want your club or school's news featured in our daily news roundups please email gary@scrummagazine.com
County go French
07-Oct-2007
National midi finals champions Stirling County visited the Scotland training camp during the Rugby World Cup to lend their support.
County, who defeated Gala Red Triangle at under-16 level at Murrayfield last season, were playing in an international tournament organised by the Rhone Alps region.
They warmed up for their tournament with a 68-0 victory against Villeneuve d'Ascq - Stirling's twin town - in Lille and then faced Polish and English sides.
Lorne Boswell, Tour Organiser, said: "Playing rugby in France is a completely new experience. It widens the understanding of what sport can do and what the players can do."
The youngsters, pictured with Scotland star Ali Hogg and Scotland Coach George Graham, then attended Scotland's match with Portugal.
For more stories like this get your hands on the October edition of the magazine by subscribing online or by asking at your local club. Email gary@scrummagazine.com with any news and photos from your club.
Accies secure crucial away win
06-Oct-2007Edinburgh Accies toughed out a 20-19 win away at Dundee HSFP in Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership Division One this afternoon to give them their second win of the season.
Captain Dan Teague was amongst the tries in the victory which lifts Ian Barnes' men to ninth in the table and moves Dundee HSFP into 11th.
GHA are bottom after a 16-16 home draw with Ayr, while Stirling County complete the bottom four after a 20-19 loss to Glasgow Hawks at Bridgehaugh.
Tries from Stuart Low and Steve Gordon along with 10 points from the boot of Mike Adamson saw the visitors home. Meanwhile, at the top end Boroughmuir are still in pole position after a superb 35-17 bonus point win over Heriot's at Goldenacre.
Oli Brown, Nigel Drapper, Graeme McCallum, Andy Hadden and Malcolm Clapperton all scored tries for the visitors.
Melrose are hot on their heels in second still after a 24-16 win over Watsonians at Myreside and Hawick continue to go well after a pulsating 31-27 victory over Currie at Mansfield Park.
Check back here over the weekend for all the results and updated tables from all the club action and email any information on your weekend games to gary@scrummagazine.com
Emotional derby at Goldenacre pick of weekend card
04-Oct-2007
Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership Division One leaders Boroughmuir take their unbeaten record across town to face an improving Heriot's side on Saturday.
The occasion will be poignant given the death of former 'Muir favourite and Scotland cap Bruce Hay earlier this week. Boroughmuir captain Rory Couper and his troops will be looking for their sixth win on the spin.
Elsewhere in the top flight on Saturday two resurgent outfits in Dundee HSFP and Edinburgh Accies meet at Mayfield, Watsonians - without injured props Andrew Welsh and Kian Coertze - welcome Melrose to Myreside, GHA take on Ayr, Stirling County face Glasgow Hawks and Currie face a tricky road trip to Hawick.
In Premier Two, the match of the day is at Burnbrae where West of Scotland are taking on second place Cartha Queens Park and in Premier Three it should be an exciting tussle between the top two - Gala and Ardrossan Accies.
The National League clubs are also on league business this weekend while the Regional League clubs are beginning the long road to Murrayfield as the cup kicks off.
Check back here over the weekend for all the results and updated tables from all the club action and email any information on your weekend games to gary@scrummagazine.com
Cumnock Cougars Mini-Rugby Festival
04-Oct-2007The annual Cumnock mini-rugby festival takes place this Sunday at Broomfield will this year trial an exciting new format. The emphasis will be on enjoyment and player development rather than on results.
Recently the SRU have become concerned that the results of games at primary school level have been more important than the players enjoying themselves and developing their skills. Coaches have been encouraged to put the children first before winning to ensure that players develop the basic core skills of running, passing, tackling and support play.
The mini-rugby section at Cumnock has embraced this philosophy and this year's festival will be completely different to previous ones. A round robin tournament will still be held for the P4 to P7 age groups, but the teams and players will be assessed by the opposition team coaches, the referee and a team of independent observers.
Points will be awarded for the core skills, with the result of each game being of minor significance. More importantly, a man-of-the-match award for a member of each team will be awarded after every game, rewarding those players that perform well, no matter the result of the game.
A spokesman said: "The festival is attracting a lot of interest at local and indeed national level and the organisers are to be congratulated in their efforts to progress the development of young players. The whole emphasis of the new format is fun."