The Scotsman rep0rts

Fathers and sons fuel Bell Baxter drive
HARRY PINCOTT
COACHES Garry Horne and John Lathangie have extra incentives for wanting Bell Baxter HS to beat another state school in their quarter-final tie in the Bell Lawrie Scottish Cup at Duffus Park, Cupar, on Saturday afternoon.

Both have a son in the on-form Bell Baxter side, who caused a big upset in the previous round by crushing Edinburgh Academy 61-12.

Garry, a bank manager, and John, a farmer, will watch respective sons, Peter and Stuart, attempt to reach the semi-finals for the first time in what has been a successful season for the school.

"Yes, we've got a strong squad with no real weak areas," admitted Horne, "with four of the boys, No 8 Chris Mason, centre Steve Wilson, flanker Chris Fusaro and full-back Peter being in the Scotland Under-18 squad, and already having played for Howe of Fife 1st XV, as have Darren Lorimer and Graham Johncock.

"Howe of Fife have very strong links with the school, via their sports co-ordinator Pat Rollo, and its proving beneficial as many of the boys have gone on to play for the club, though a lot depends on where they go to work or university."

Horne and Lathangie, both former Howe players, have been coaching the current group of boys since they were in the Cupar club's minis, and they form the bulk of Howe's under-18 side.

"We are strong in the backs, and while our pack are on the small side, they are very mobile," stated Horne. "We know North Berwick are also having a very good season, so it should be a pretty competitive game, which should attract a good crowd."

The North Berwick boys warmed up for the tie with a rather lacklustre home win over Glasgow Academy, though they were missing a few regulars who were nursing knocks. The home side never really got into their stride, taking too many wrong options and never moving fluently despite perfect weather conditions, which were in stark contrast to most parts of the country.

The tryscorers in the 14-6 victory were scrum-half Ben Lowe and blindside flanker Bhryan Buchanan.

Already through to the semis are Dollar Academy, who had a thrilling 13-8 victory over Stewart's-Melville at Inverleith on Saturday, while Peebles HS defeated Royal High last Wednesday and are away to Merchiston Castle this afternoon (2pm).

With the sides drawing 8-8 at the interval, the second half was a titanic struggle, and eventually it was Dollar who grabbed the clinching score that eventually finished the home side's hopes of making a successful defence of the silverware.

Glasgow High beat Loretto 24-3 at Old Anniesland on Saturday and they are back in action today, away to a Strathallan XV, who are quietly confident of making it through to the last four.

RESULTS: Bell Lawrie Scottish Cup: Fourth round: Peebles HS 27, Royal High 14. Quarter-final: Stewart's-Melville 8, Dollar Academy 13; Glasgow HS 24, Loretto 3. Quarter-finals: Today: Merchiston Castle v Peebles HS (2pm); Strathallan v Glasgow High (2pm). Saturday: Bell Baxter HS v North Berwick HS (12:30pm).

This article was posted on 12-Dec-2006, 08:59 by Hugh Barrow.