Hello everyone and welcome to Old Anniesland for this vital SHE Premiership Division 1 league match against Watsonians. Today’s visitors have moved up to third in the league after an impressive win over Currie at Myreside last Saturday and as such they will be coming into today’s game with a good deal of confidence.

I would like to extend a warm welcome to both 1st and 2nd XV players (the 2s match is once again across at New Anniesland), President Brian Drinkwater and all the Watsonian supporters who have made the journey from Myreside. A special welcome to former GHK AND Watsonian committee man, John Sinclair. John is well known at Old Anniesland as a Past President of GHK and both his boys, Stewart and Iain, played for spells at Old Anniesland as well. John is also a former Governor of Kelvinside Academy so I’m sure he hopes rugby is the winner this afternoon!

It is also encouraging to see former Glasgow Warriors and Scotland openside flanker, Donnie Macfadyen making a name for himself as Watsonians’ forwards coach. To see such a good professional player put something back into the club game can only be good for Watsonians and should hopefully encourage more ex-pros to do likewise, be that as a player or as a coach.

For the Hawks players, today is another opportunity to show our growing number of supporters what they can do. With a number of experienced senior players coming back after some serious injuries I have every confidence that the 1st XV will start to demonstrate just what they are more than capable of.

Today’s Sponsors
Today’s game is sponsored by the following businesses and a group of former Old Anniesland hell-raisers:

Porcelanosa
Hulley & Kirkwood
James Sim Limited
Glasgow High School Class of ‘92

Porcelanosa are one of our new sponsors this season and I would encourage everyone to see their advert in the match programme.

Hulley & Kirkwood and James Sim Limited are long-standing sponsors of Hawks and I would like to thank them once again for their continued support.

Welcome back to Old Anniesland to the Glasgow High School Class of ’92. I hope the visit to your old school brings back fond memories!

Supporters Lunch
Before today’s game, a lunch is being laid on for parents/wives/girlfriends of the players in the 1st and 2nd XVs. With many new faces in the crowd this season, the club feel it is important
that they get the chance to have a bite to eat and a blether with some of our more established fans. Before the lunch, Lawrie Sinclair, Chairman of the Glasgow Hawks Supporters Club, will say a few words welcoming the new supporters into the Hawks family.

Youth Development and Hawks Junior Rugby Programme

As ever, please see Grant Talbot’s Junior Rugby update on page 18. There is a profile of Club Captain, Steven Duffy.

Finally…
On Tuesday, Scotland coach Frank Hadden named his squad for next month’s autumn Test and it was terrific to see three former Hawks in line-up – Max Evans (2006-2007), Graeme Morrison (2001-2003) and Euan Murray (2001-2003).

Next home games – PLEASE NOTE KICK OFF TIMES HAVE CHANGED TO 2PM

Saturday, November 08 – KO 2:00 PM

1st XV Old Anniesland Ayr RFC
2nd XV New Anniesland Ayr RFC

Kenny Baillie
Chief Executive
25.10.2008

This article was originally posted on 24-Oct-2008, 07:32 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 24-Oct-2008, 12:10.