WELCOME

Good afternoon everyone, Happy New Year and once again welcome to Old Anniesland for Round 16 of SHE Premiership Division 1. I hope you all had an enjoyable festive season and that the turkey sandwiches are long finished.

Hawks finished 2008 on a high with both 1st and 2nd XVs beating Currie, the 1st XV coming from 20-0 down at half-time to win 33-20. The second half performance was one of the best by any Hawks side in recent years and stands us in good stead for the remaining seven league games.

The run in to the end of the season is going to be very interesting as teams at the top and the bottom of the league are all desperate for points which should make for another good game this afternoon.

Boroughmuir have had a mixed set of result lately, while Hawks have, with the exception of the performance at Selkirk, been improving week by week so hopefully the form guide will indicate another excellent home win for Hawks.

That said, Boroughmuir currently lie sixth in Div 1 and I have always considered them to be a Top Six club so everyone knows that today’s game will be as big a test as ever, especially when we think back to the game at Meggetland earlier this season.

So, on a cold and wet January day, a warm Glasgow welcome to all the Boroughmuir players – the 2nd XV fixture between the clubs is being played at New Anniesland, KO 2:00 PM – to President Stan Watt and all the supporters who have travelled through from Meggetland this afternoon.

TODAY'S MATCH SPONSOR

I would like to welcome a long-standing supporter of Hawks rugby, Bannerman Johnstone Maclay Ltd.

BJM Director, David Maclay, has more than a passing interest in Hawks as today his elder son, Dr. John Maclay, lines up at hooker, while, his younger son, Alastair, has played for Hawks with distinction for a number of years and is currently playing for Valley RFC in Hong Kong.

Based at 213 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, BJM specialise in providing financial solutions for owner managed businesses and the healthcare sector.

HEARTS AND HEROES

Now for a post Christmas idea to get rid of the flab! What are you doing on Saturday 16th of May? Well, first and foremost, you will be coming to the annual Player of the Year Dinner Dance at the Grosvenor Hotel.

But, in addition, why not get into training and enter the Hearts and Heroes Challenge – a gentle 29 mile walk across absolutely gorgeous upland countryside from St Mary's Loch to the famed Greenyards at Melrose!

Yours truly is taking part to raise funds for The Sportsman's Charity, Hearts and Balls – the Scottish rugby charity which provides pastoral and financial care for injured rugby players and Poppyscotland who provide a similar support for young service personnel returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Invitations have been issued to all rugby clubs, services units and fit individuals who wish to take part. If you would like to join me, please drop me a line at [email protected]. For more information, please see www.heartsandheroes.co.uk for entry and sponsorship opportunities.

CLUB NEWS

Three things to keep in mind for the coming weeks:

Hawks Mini Rugby – launching on Saturday, January 24 at the Donald Dewar Sports Centre in Drumchapel. If anyone is interested in getting involved in either coaching, administrative or sponsorship capacity please contact Grant Talbot at [email protected].

HBN – next meeting of the Hawks Business Network is Thursday, January 29, 7:00 PM in the Jimmie Ireland Stand at Old Anniesland.

Glasgow Hawks Supporters Club dinner – Saturday, January 31 in the Jimmie Ireland Stand. To celebrate the official formation of The Supporters Club, Glasgow Hawks are proud to present a special evening of good food (courtesy of Alan James), good company (courtesy of the Glasgow Hawks Supporters Club) and hilarity (courtesy of the amazing Willie Allan and hopefully our own Bill Dunlop). This is a mixed event open to all and restricted to 120 places. There are a limited number of tickets left at only £20 for members of the Supporters Club and
Hawks Players and £30 to all others.

It promises to be an excellent night so please reserve your places now by replying to this e-mail or e-mailing Allan Mackintosh at [email protected]. The dress code is smart casual and we will be looking for the usual donations for the raffle and for the auction.

Again if you can help out in these areas with donations please contact Allan Mackintosh either by e-mail or via mobile 07764 168 989.

Next home games, Saturday, January 31
1st XV Old Anniesland Hawick RFC KO 3:00 PM
2nd XV New Anniesland Kirkcaldy RFC KO 3:00 PM

This weekend’s league fixtures:
1500 Glasgow Hawks RFC vs Boroughmuir RFC

Kenny Baillie
Chief Executive
10.01.2009

This article was posted on 8-Jan-2009, 23:43 by Hugh Barrow.