EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS REPORTS

BILL LOTHIAN
A POSSIBLE compromise in the debate over the future of the national cup is set to be aired at Friday's annual general meeting of Scottish Rugby.

According to Haddington coach Eddie Pollock, a proposal will be put forward which would see four district competitions feeding into national semi-finals to determine the knock-out champions.

Also, separate tournaments would be held at national leADVERTISEMENTague and district league level.

Pollock says the scheme would have the support of the influential Border League clubs, who have admitted Haddington to their competition from 2008-09.

"It makes sense to cut back on costly travelling because clubs just cannot afford to go to places like Orkney to fulfil one tie."

Border clubs have been accused of insularity by threatening to pull out of the Scottish Cup but Pollock leaps to their defence by insisting all would benefit.

"There would still be a national element to competition with players getting their day out at Murrayfield if they reach the final. The difference is that they wouldn't risk having to find the money to travel the length and breadth of the country first.

"The Border League could provide the knock-out representative to play the champions of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Caledonia districts and getting appropriate dates for preliminary ties shouldn't be a problem.

"Matches could be staged either on the existing cup dates, pre-season or by doubling up with regular fixtures."

Under the scheme to set up separate subsidiary competitions an anomaly would be removed whereby a team can be dismissed in an early round yet go on to be feted at Murrayfield through the Bowl, Plate or Shield competitions.

Pollock previously worked in the United States where, as a full-time coach, he guided Old Mission Beach Club to the US Super League title and the competitive South California Championship.

He is noted for his forward-thinking and added: "I expect this proposal to come up at Friday's AGM and, when Edinburgh clubs look in detail, they will find there are five Premiership One outfits along with Stewart's-Melville, Musselburgh and Biggar who could play off to find which two go through to the national stage."

Under his guidance Haddington finished fourth in Division Two last season and Pollock is hoping the venture into the Border League will enable the team to make the leap back to the top flight.

"We are guaranteed regular fixtures with Hawick, Melrose, Selkirk etc. That has got to be good for Haddington.

"Whether it is us or Musselburgh or national league division one side Preston Lodge the amount of development work being done locally justifies an East Lothian presence at the top of Scottish club rugby.

"Next season sees a quality crop of colts coming into the Haddington senior ranks, while Musselburgh have reached the last two Scottish youth finals.

"In addition North Berwick High School have been turning out quality teams for some years.

"So, one way or another I don't think it will be too long before East Lothian is represented again in Division One and, by joining the Border League, Haddington believe that will give us a big push forward."

This article was posted on 25-Jun-2008, 12:02 by Hugh Barrow.