THE SCOTSMAN REPORTS

Schools: Cup optimism after Fettes tour success

By Harry Pincott
FETTES College coach Duncan Harrison is hoping a successful summer tour of Argentina and Chile will prove a springboard for cup success for the Edinburgh school this season.
"We took a big squad of players and they did really well, winning four of the five games," said Harrison, whose side meet McLaren HS in Callander this afternoon in the third round of the Bell Lawrie Scottish Cup.

Since their return, Fettes have ADVERTISEMENTwon three of their five games, losing out to two of the strongest schools, Edinburgh Academy and Watson's College, but beating Loretto, Stewart's-Melville and Strathallan in their last game almost three weeks ago.

"We have a very honest, hard-working team who will get better as the season progresses," adds Harrison. "They get on very well together and the spirit is excellent."

Fettes, who also have a tough away game against Glenalmond on Saturday, are just back after a two-week half-term break and Harrison put his players through a training session last night in preparation for today's cup fixture. "

Captaining the side is prop Ross Turner, while centre Stewart Daly and No 8 Mark Agnew are in the Edinburgh squad. And fitting in well at stand-off in his first season in the 1st XV is Kit Gammell, son of the former Scotland winger Bill. According to Harrison, Kit is a very talented all-round sportsman who also excels at hockey and cricket.

If Fettes win today, they will be away to Earlston HS in the fourth round, the draw for which was announced yesterday. The plum pairing is Dollar Academy and Edinburgh Academy, who meet at Dollar next Tuesday.

The Academy are celebrating their 150th anniversary this season, and lost 11-10 to Merchiston Castle on Saturday.

There is also a Borders derby between Galashiels Academy and Selkirk HS, which will almost certainly draw a big crowd, while Stewart's-Melville entertain Strathallan.

And if Glenalmond emerge triumphant from today's third-round tie against Mintlaw Academy, they will earn a home tie against Watson's College.

BELL LAWRIE SCOTTISH SCHOOLS CUP: Fourth round draw: Madras College or Balfron HS v Morrison's; Bell Baxter HS v Hutchesons' GS; Dunfermline HS v Robert Gordon's; Dundee HS v Portobello HS or Alva Academy; Peebles HS v Heriot's; Galashiels Academy v Selkirk HS; Dollar Academy v Edinburgh Academy; Stewart's-Melville v Strathallan; Hillhead/Jordanhill v Cathkin HS or Douglas Academy/Bearsden Academy v North Berwick HS; Boroughmuir HS v Belmont Academy or Glasgow Academy; St Columba's v Merchiston Castle; St Aloysius v Marr College; Knox Academy v Glasgow HS; Loretto v Mintlaw Academy or Gordonstoun; Millburn Academy or Glenalmond v Watson's College; Earlston v McLaren HS or Fettes College.

This article was posted on 4-Nov-2008, 08:40 by Hugh Barrow.