InTouch


A regular programme feature that keeps you up to date with rugby and club issues and news by Kenny Hamilton.

(These may be the views of Glasgow Hawks)

Dundee HSFP RFC
The only newcomers to Premier 1 this season have already shown that they are here to stay with some fine results in the early stages of this season’s campaign.

So far they have recorded wins against Melrose and B’muir, a creditable performance against League favourites Currie and a one point defeat at the hands of a powerful Ayr side last week.

They are extremely well coached by Ian Rankin and feature a familiar old Hawks face in George Oommen currently studying medicine at Dundee Uni.

To the team and officials a very warm welcome to Anniesland.

The Scottish Cup
You may have read that the Border clubs had thought about withdrawing from the Scottish Cup this season – but decided not to in the end. So what was it all about?

Put simply – a number of the Border clubs thought that they might get more benefit, and certainly more revenue, out of playing local derby matches in an extended Border league competition rather than the national cup.

The debate was stimulated by the SRU decision to withdraw prize money altogether from both the national league and cup competitions. It seemed to some that it further demeaned the domestic game.

Of course there was the loss of BT sponsorship and the notion that there are other priorities such as the development of the game amongst young people would be unarguable as part of a thought-through strategy. But to see the somewhat modest prize of £6k removed can hardly be perceived by clubs as a Public Relations triumph and opens up to question the status of club rugby in the hands of the SRU.

What will come out of this I am sure is a different format for the Scottish Cup – probably with an initial regional focus. I am also quite sure that there will be a need to address the more fundamental issues around the need to maintain club rugby with some excitement and profile in order to make it attractive to young people.

Still Rebuilding
Hawks had a bit of a heart-breaker last week at Mansfield against Hawick. Despite an enormous defensive effort a fortunate ricochet landed in the hands of the Hawick winger in the 9th minute of injury time to score under the posts and take the victory. Not helped by being reduced to 13 players during the last portion of the game with 2 players sin-binned Hawks have been finding it hard this season to get the kind of results that we are used to. But be patient – this is going to be a very good side and they deserve your support.

Bobby Dunlop
The Honorary President of GHK died on Sunday 17th September after a short illness. Bobby was always a great supporter of GHK and only last week was one of the past presidents of the club out lending their support to the boys in their match against Oban. He communicated his enthusiasm for all that is good in the game to all being a stickler for sporting behaviour and standards. He will be greatly missed.

This article was posted on 20-Sep-2006, 20:38 by Hugh Barrow.