ABERDEEN P&J REPORTS


Students look to go one better and make final showdown
national plate glory on the horizon
Published: 18/04/2008


FINAL PREPARATIONS: Aberdeen University captain Mike Hunter gets down to business while club president Chris Hunter is on the run. Jim Irvine

A PLACE in the final of the National Plate awaits Aberdeen University should they overcome holders GHK in the semi-final at King’s College tomorrow.

Club president Chris Hunter is hoping to go one better than last season when they were beaten in the semi-finals by Crieff after a last-minute penalty.

He said: “It’s a huge occasion for the club and would be great for north-east rugby were we to get to the final at Murrayfield on May 3.

“Home advantage should be a big factor, but as we are playing the holders it’s not going to be easy.

“We have a big point to make and the players are extremely excited about the prospect of a final.”

The home side’s chances have been strengthened as six of their players have represented Scottish universities this season.

Hunter said: “The experience should hold us in good stead and I’m pretty confident we can win. Having won our local league we aim to put the icing on the cake.”

Apart from the absence of stand off Ewan Kelly the students have a full squad available.

“There’s going to be competition for places, but that’s good in one of the big weeks for local rugby. Being the only representatives from the north-east in any of the national knockout tournaments is a great honour. We’ll be doing our best,” he said.

Having dismissed Carnoustie, Harris and fellow students St Andrews earlier in the National Plate should give the King’s College side confidence.

This article was originally posted on 18-Apr-2008, 10:17 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 18-Apr-2008, 10:19.