THE SCOTSMAN REPORTS

HARRY PINCOTT
THANKS to the power of television, Scottish rugby will stage its first 9pm kick-off when the Border Reivers play Leinster in a Celtic League fixture at Netherdale on Friday, 7 April.

Because the Melrose Sevens are on the following day, all parties were anxious to avoid a clash, and so the Celtic League match was originally pencilled in for the Sunday with a 4:30pm kick-off - the only other date and time that Setanta Ireland stressed was suitable to them to provide live coverage.


But after having taken soundings from supporters, the Borders have plumped for the late Friday kick-off, with the blessings of their Irish opponents who were happy with both dates and times.

"Sunday kick-offs have proved a bit of a turn-off for the supporters," admitted Borders' business manager John Thorburn, "which is why we have gone for Friday. We appreciate it's late, but there will be a huge number of visitors in the area for the Melrose sevens and we will be attempting, through various initiatives, to attract them along to Netherdale.

"After all, most will be big rugby supporters and they won't be wanting to sit in their hotels or guest houses. Setanta gave us just the two dates and times, and taking past experiences into account, we are certain a Friday kick-off, even a 9pm one, will draw a bigger crowd than on Sunday afternoon."

David Jordan, the Celtic League spokesman, said the Sunday date was scheduled "because at the start of the season that's the day the Borders wanted to play their home fixtures. However, that view changed after their supporters stated they would prefer Friday evening kick-offs, which we have done. This 9pm kick-off is a one-off."

It may be a one-off, and there will be a great many people milling about the Borders on that Friday evening, but with public transport almost non- existent at about 11pm, any supporters from outwith Galashiels without their own transport will struggle to get home.

A Hawick club spokesman said: "The 30-odd staunch Borders supporters we have, and who rarely miss a game, will probably travel, but it's not an attractive time for a game."

So unless the innovations the Borders come up with are really good - free buses going to the other Border towns for example - then they could struggle to attract a four-figure crowd.

And a good-sized crowd is certainly what Borders coach Steve Bates is looking for. "It's not the ideal kick-off, but it's the best deal available and we will have the players prepared mentally for the later time," he said. "I'm sure they would rather play in front of a few thousand people late on a Friday evening than in front of a few hundred on the Sunday afternoon."

This article was posted on 7-Feb-2006, 09:05 by Hugh Barrow.