Date: Saturday, 19th August 2006
Kickoff time: 15:00
Against: Cartha Queens Park RFC
Team: Hawks 1st XV
Location: Away
Competition: Friendly
Final score: 27 - 19 (won)

Hawks beat Cartha/QP 27-19 in the final pre season match at Drumreck This match saw the return to action for Kenny Sinclair in his first outing since the Murrayfield Sevens in November Hawks scorers were Murray Strang 1t,1p,2c Neil Caddell 1t Steve Gordon 1t Nick Cox 1t THE GREEN PHANTOM RETURNS Appeared this morning as 'Hatching Hawks' on that world, wide, internet thingie The first chill of autumn is in the air - it's certainly cooling the back of my neck when I take the dog anyway. The near midnight sun of scotland is sinking by 9pm. Such positive signs can only herald the arrival of the new rugby season in Scotland. No longer do I have to read, or listen to, the over-excited ramblings of kiwis, keen to make the point that they have one or two gifted players. No more effort as I try to sympathise with South Africans, wondering where all the rugby players have disappeared to. Neither do I have to sniff with disinterest at aussies moaning that scrums should be uncontested - until such time as they discover a front row again. No indeedy! For me and MYF the season is about to get under way in earnest. Once again saturday afternoons will find tomato soup in the flask, the flask in the boot with the waterproofs and the phantom-mobile headed for Old Anniesland or the away venue as required. The preliminary games have taken place - those efforts of three halves of thirty minutes, or is that two thirds of... ah who cares? Today at least saw the final trial with two halves of forty minutes and a fairly consistent team from start to finish - albeit a very new, and in some cases fresh faced team. You know who you are you precocious second rower you! With a mix of old and new Glasgow Hawks took to the field against Cartha/Queen's Park, a division below but a feisty and lively side who provided a sprightly workout to the new look team. Although Hawks ran out as eventual 19 : 27 winners I think it's fair to say that Hawks were probably pleased, and relieved to have their noses in front when the referee finally blew for time. It was a scrappy game in many ways with plenty of handling errors from both teams. Possibly due to the pre-game showers and slippy balls Cartha seemed to have by far the more grizzled pack and they gave a thorough workout to some of the new faces fronting up for the Hawks. It was good to see Nick Cox back in harness anchoring the scrum - and what an anchor too. You have the feeling that he could probably add considerable whoooaaaa to a supertanker if he set his mind to it. He certainly made a few trademark bursts today with opposition forwards hanging from him like ticks on a bloodhound's lugs. I'm hoping for better things from the lineouts this year. Regular readers will remember a certain disenchantment with this particular area of play last year. New boy Richie Gray, tall (6' 5", 6'6"?) and very youthful partnered Sandy Warnock in the second row. Both of them should provide convenient targets for Donald Malcolm to hit - and with his muscles he should be able to wallop that ball long as well as high. Steven Biggart filled the number 9 shirt for the first half but was replaced by the returning Kenny Sinclair for the second half. I hope it gave Kenny a confidence boost. He hasn't played since a broken arm in a sevens tournament a year ago. Although Iain Monaghan has now decided to play his rugby following a pasta starter and a bottle of valpolicella in Viadanna Hawks are still well served at 9 with the aforementioned Biggart, Sinclair and also Ritchie McKnight. Outside them Murray Strang justified himself at outside half with a try, a penalty and two conversions. Mike Adamson having played for the Worriers the previous evening. Murray mixed it up well and seems to have added some length to his touchfinders. Now, if he can only put them in from inside his 22, or get them to bounce first... Clearly nothing will console MYF for the loss of Mark Sitch though I did notice one of the new backs caught her eye today. I do hope the poor young man doesn't incur her displeasure with a weedy display. Four tries to the Hawks seems positive enough but the opening game, next week, is against Herriots, away. I just wish I felt better about the new look pack with such an important first up league game. There's no question that both teams will be looking to stamp their authority, and ambition, on the first game of the new season. Can Hawks make it four in a row? Well, read on week by week to find out. The new look league with 2 fewer teams in the premiership will be completed by March 2007 and I can't help feeling that some idea of where the cup will eventually rest will be apparent by November. So, as usual, back to Sue Barker in the studio and a glint in her eye as she contemplates the potential in Andy Murray. regards The Green Phantom No team list has been added yet.

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