ROAD TO MURRAYFIELD KICKS-OFF
Posted: 06/Oct/06

The road to Murrayfield and Scottish Rugby’s Cup Finals Day next May kicks-off this weekend.

The first round draw of the National Cup has been regionalised – East, West and Caledonia – and throws up a number of intriguing local derbies.

The cup rekindles happy memories for Strathendrick, from West League Division 1, who welcome West League Division 2 rivals Shawlands FP to Ruth Menzies Field in Fintry in the West Regional Draw.

In season 2000-01 Strathendrick epitomised the magic of the cup by reaching the semi-finals, disposing of Premiership teams Stewart’s-Melville FP and Musselburgh along the way.

Charlie Johnstone, the club’s president during their cup run, and now their fixtures secretary, recalled: “It was good fun – a big adventure. I remember a couple of wet days in Fintry when we beat Stewart’s-Melville and the weather also worked for us when we beat Musselburgh.”

Johnstone reckons there are three survivors from then – Mark Gibson at No 8, Bruce Duncan (then a stand-off, now playing at full-back) and centre Russell Mair. Midfield is also where the club’s player/coach, Matt McGrandles, a member of Stirling County’s championship winning side in 1995 and a pro with Glasgow in the early years of professionalism, will look to influence proceedings.

Johnstone said: “The nucleus of the team in 2000-01 has moved on. The older heads have retired and a number of the younger players have gone on to bigger and better things. Colin Gregor was our scrum-half then and he’s since gone on to play for Scotland 7s and the Glasgow pro-team, while we’ve got a squad of boys playing at West and quite a few playing in Glasgow.”

Ask Johnstone how the club is progressing and he replies: “It depends on how you measure it. If you measure it by first XV success then you could say it’s been a struggle. But the club itself is growing. We are regularly turning out two teams and we’ve got increasing number of youngsters coming through.”

Johnstone plays a part there, coaching at Balfron High School, alongside teacher Neil Macquarrie and links between the club and school are strengthening all the time.

Johnstone notes that Shawlands are unbeaten at the top of their division, while Strathendrick lie fourth in their division having posted victories against Uddingston, Loch Lomond and Cumnock.
“A run in the cup is good news because it lifts the club. If the sun shines I’m sure it’ll be another fun day in Fintry.”

In the East Region draw, Portobello FP, top of East League Division 2 Pool 1, await Gala YM, leaders of East League Division 2 Pool 2, at Cavalry Park.
Portobello president Iain Goodall said: “We’ve seen a resurgence of numbers at training and I’m sure our coach Eddie Henderson will be looking forward to the visit of Gala YM, given the many happy years he spent in Gala.”

Elsewhere in the East Region Draw, Royal Dick Vet College have called off from their trip to King’s Park, thus Dalkeith go through to round two.

And in the Caledonia Region Draw, the tie between Inverness Craig Dunain and Blairgowrie is to be rescheduled as the pitch at Culloden Academy is unplayable.
Shetland and RAF Lossiemouth have withdrawn from their respective ties against Waid Academy FP and RAF Kinloss. The full first round draw is:

EAST REGION
Leith - Bye
Moray House - Bye
Broughton - Bye
North Berwick v Edinburgh Northern
Dunbar v Eyemouth White Horses
Dalkeith w/o
RDVC
Lasswade v Hawick Harlequins
Penicuik v Earlston
Hawick Linden v Liberton
Portobello FP v Gala YM
Heriot-Watt University v Inverleith
St Boswells v Walkerburn

WEST REGION
McLaren - Bye
Braidholm - Bye
Bishopton - Bye
Isle of Mull - Bye
Strathclyde Police v Loch Lomond
Strathclyde University v Hyndland FP
Linwood v GHK
Waysiders Drumpellier v Hughenden
Cowal v Clydebank
Cumnock v Marr
Uddingston v Oban Lorne
Millbrae v Glasgow University
Cumbernauld v Strathaven
Strathendrick v Shawlands FP
Mid Argyll v Wigtownshire
Moffat v Calder
Glasgow Caledonian University v Carrick
Clydesdale v Paisley

This article was posted on 6-Oct-2006, 22:09 by Hugh Barrow.