Harry Pincott in the Scotsman


Schools rugby: Watson's face power pack from Aberdeen
Published Date: 13 January 2009
By Harry Pincott
WITH only one defeat this season, Watson's College won't be lacking in confidence when they take on Robert Gordon's College in the fifth round of the Bell Lawrie Scottish Cup at Myreside today (12:15pm).
Captained by flanker Duncan Finnie, Watson's gained revenge for that defeat to Glenalmond when they beat them in the fourth round of the competition.

According to Iain Brown, in charge of rugby at Watson's, Finnie's boys are anticipating a very ADVERTISEMENT

difficult game, especially up front. "Robert Gordon's have a powerful pack, with their front row all in the Scotland Under-18 training squad, so we know what to expect," said Brown.

Hooker Greg Jones captains the Aberdeen team, propped by Neil Kiltie and George Hunter, and coach Richie Anderson, will be looking to that trio to give his side the edge in the frontal battle.

Neither school have managed a fixture this year, though Anderson had his boys training during the holidays and, as he is also coach of Gordonians, arranged a session between his two XVs.

Watson's, who, in addition to Finnie, also have full-back Jamie Forbes, son of former Watsonians stand-off Gordon, centre Grant Somerville, and lock Calum Evans in the national under-18 squad, held a practice session on Saturday, and with home advantage and the opposition having sat on a bus for a few hours, they will be favourites to advance to the next round.

Boroughmuir coach George Watson is hoping his team's fourth-round tie against Glasgow Academy, at Meggetland tomorrow afternoon, will finally go ahead after a couple of postponements, while Heriot's host Dundee HS in the fifth round at Goldenacre today.

In last Saturday's fourth-round match, Hutchesons' GS beat Bell Baxter HS 24-7.

This article was posted on 13-Jan-2009, 08:17 by Hugh Barrow.