Happy New Year to all our readers
Next Saturday sees action resume with Hawks playing Boroughmuir k.o. 3.00 p.m. at Old Anniesland under the Experimental Rules--summary below;
The Hawks 2xv also resume league action v Edinburgh Accies at OA k.o. 2.00 p.m.


The Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) being trialled are:


1. Corner Flag moved out from T/L in line with all other flags.


2. Ball if passed back into own 22 is then kicked directly to touch. Lineout will take place opposite the place where the ball was kicked. If however another activity has taken place (ruck/maul/breakdown) within the 22 and the ball then kicked to touch, lineout will take place where ball crosses touch line.


3. Quick throw – as long as it goes back – no problem.


4. Teams no longer need to match up numbers at a formed lineout.


5. At scrum, both back lines must be 5m behind appropriate hind-most foot of scrummage


6. Penalties will be awarded for OFFSIDE and FOUL PLAY. Note tackle now becomes offside line.

7. Defending team allowed to bring down the maul


8. Players allowed to contest the ball on the ground and may use hands in this dispute for possession. Players must enter the breakdown at "the gate". Any player not involved in the breakdown must be behind the hind-most foot. If the ball becomes unplayable, possession will be awarded to the team not taking the ball into contact. The game is restarted either by a tap free kick or a scrum option.


At the breakdown the decisions by the referee have been reduced to:

Ensuring players enter by "the gate"
Penalise players who enter in an offside manner
Any player who commits foul play
Ball becoming unplayable

This article was posted on 1-Jan-2007, 12:51 by Hugh Barrow.