GHK v Edinburgh Accies Match Preview

This Saturday, 3rd December, GHK host the might of Premier 2 challengers Edinburgh Accies. The oldest rugby club in Scotland make the journey as overwhelming favourites, a massive 6 leagues above GHK. It is however a cup tie and as proven in previous seasons, including good results against Prem 1 Ayr and National 1 Greenock, anything can happen on the day.

The visitors then lie 3rd in Premier 2, 8 points behind leaders Dundee. However, the only team to have defeated the Taysiders is Edinburgh Accies...twice, including their last competitive outing back on the 12th of November. A 26-17 win will have their tails right up going into this, the 3rd step to Murrayfield.

The hosts, National 5 West leaders, are expected to lose. But that is something that has not happened this season, and hasn't happened at Old Anniesland since October 2004. True this is an enormous test and something they haven't faced since Ayr at the same stage 2 seasons back. But cups are there for upsets and GHK have absolutely nothing to lose. The prize for the winner is round 4 of the cup - the loser's consolation is the shield competiton. The team is buzzing with the prospect of challenging themselves against one of the best sides in Scottish rugby currently and will be determined to put on a big show on a big day for the club.

Squad News

It seems a long long time ago since the team last took the field for GHK. As far back as October 3rd - the second round of the cup in a great win over Newton Stewart. From that team both centres are changed. Olly Jones returns from the bench switching with Ali Smeaton and Dave Fearnley reverting to flanker, his place being taken by Stuart Hunter, playing his first GHK game since September due to injury and bad weather. Chas McFarlane come onto the bench. In the pack there are just two changes - the aforementioned Fearnley into the back row and also Nick Cram replaces Neil Gilmartin in the middle row.

Team
15 C McElroy,
14 R Love,
13 O Jones,
12 S Hunter,
11 R Love,
10 J Millan,
9 G Rand,
8 S Pollock,
7 D Fearnley,
6 C Donald,
5 N Cram,
4 S Ferguson,
3 R Welsh,
2 J Lohar,
1 A Forbes,

16 G Reid,
17 A McLemon,
18 C McFarlane,
19 A Smeaton,

Kick Off is 130pm on this huge day for the club with a lot planned including a BBQ to warm up the spectators, that's if they need any more warming up than the champagne rugby will provide. Please make an effort to support GHK this weekend...everyone loves an underdog!!!

This article was posted on 1-Dec-2005, 21:51 by Gordi Reid.

This article was posted on 2-Dec-2005, 08:30 by Hugh Barrow.