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)

Melrose
When we met earlier in the season Melrose triumphed 32-25 at the Greenyards. It was an exciting match and the difference between the sides was probably the performance of Mark Robertson, the Melrose winger who is as good a broken-play runner as you will find in Scotland. There is a strong friendship between our two clubs as we share a similar stance on many of the key debates in Scottish Rugby. A warm welcome to President Colin Ruthven, Coach Craig Chalmers and the players for another exciting contest.


Hugh Pollock

Also worth mentioning that Melrose man Hugh Pollock has taken over as Chair of the Premier 1 forum with Gavin Garden of Dundee as secretary. This follows former secretary Jock Millican’s elevation to the Board of the SRU.

We offer them all the best of luck and the support to take Scottish rugby forward.


Last Week

Against league leaders Boroughmuir in a thoroughly enjoyable match (for the neutral) we lost by 2 points. The 2nd time this season to Muir and the 5th time this season that we have lost a tight one, that, with a bit of good fortune we might have won. Our line-out dominated at times and we had a far greater fluency than in previous weeks. Let down by the occasional missed tackle, which was paradoxical given the extremely strong defensive efforts on other occasions we must keep improving.


Hawks into Europe - again


Plans are now being made to tackle the Italian side Capitolina again on the weekend of the Italy v Scotland game in March. They are currently 2nd in the Italian Professional league – just behind Viadana who played Glasgow Warriors in the European Cup last week. Last time (in 2006) we lost 26-47 though we were not assisted by coming straight off an early morning flight and straight into the match.


Hawks Development Side

As part of the development of the future Hawks players of the future, Grant Talbot, our club Development Manager, is putting in place a programme of matches including an exciting one against the Leicester Academy. This will be a serious challenge for any young aspiring player in the Glasgow area.

When should the season start and how long should it be?
YOUR VIEWS?

What do you think about the playing season, how it should be organised, when should it be played and what do you want from playing or watching rugby. The SRU Competitions Commission wish you to participate in a survey.

I seem to remember a major piece of work being undertaken by Genesis a few years back, at significant cost which raised a number of issues for debate and consideration but….

Anyway, your chance to comment is via the Internet

The survey can be found by logging onto: bwww.bepartofit.org

between 16th November 2007 and 27th January 2008.



10th Anniversary Dinner

Yes we are 10 years old and we are now fairly advanced in our planning for 2 major events. A dinner to be held on Saturday 2nd February and the Annual Dinner/ Dance that will be held on 10th May. Please put both dates in your diary.


GHK 25th Anniversary Dinner

This took place last Saturday and was well attended by Hawks players and supporters. Excellent speeches managed to hold the attention of the 200+ diners who had had a long day with their matches in the afternoon, the football at tea-time and the dinner at night. No wonder there was so little activity on Sunday. Quite exhausting.

TV Coverage
Did you see Hawks on the telly last week? Good to see the Sunday 6.00pm slot on STV. Not too sure about the format – but the positive side is the coverage for the sport and its sponsors. Well done STV.


Scotland 7s

Congratulations to Ruaridh Jackson on his inclusion in the Scotland 7s squad for Dubai and George (South Africa).

This article was posted on 22-Nov-2007, 09:24 by Hugh Barrow.