EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS REPORTS

GARY HEATLY


FOUR of Edinburgh's top rugby sides continue their build up to the coming season tomorrow when they take part in the Mansell Cup at Goldenacre.

Host club Heriot's are joined by Premier One rivals Watsonians and Boroughmuir along with Premier Two Edinburgh Accies in the eight-team tournament which begins at 12pm.

Other teams involved are current Premier One champions Glasgow Hawks, Gala, Royal Scots and English side Fylde.

The event will be played on two pitches with the 15-a-side matches lasting 30 minutes in total. The teams are split into two leagues of four with the winners playing off in the final.

League A sees Heriot's and Watsonians clash along with Gala, now coached by ex-Watsonians man Paul Di Rollo, and National Three North side Fylde from down south.

Heriot's' recent signings Roddy Deans and Cammy Bruce, who moved from Hawick, should feature, although Andrew Dall is unavailable.

Watsonians will be without hooker Steve Lawrie, who is in the Edinburgh squad travelling to Leeds to take on the Tykes.

Also absent will be South African Rory Duncan, who has returned home and winger Matt Morrell who is out with a long-term injury.

Lawrie's absence could give Scott Laird, impressive on 'Sonians summer tour to New Zealand, the chance to stake a claim for a place in the front row.

In the other half of the draw Boroughmuir will start as favourites having won the competition last year.

'Muir, who get league B underway with a game against the Royal Scots, welcome two exciting young prospects into their squad. Front row Kyle Traynor has joined from Edinburgh Accies and stand off Craig Marshall, 18, joins from Boroughmuir High School.

Meanwhile, Edinburgh Accies coach Ian Barnes believes the event will be useful as it will get his players back up to match speed after the summer break.

He said: "Pre-season has been going well but it is still early days and I am just looking forward to the guys getting some game time. It will be useful to give an extended squad some action during the three matches. Hopefully we can enjoy a good day's rugby with no injuries."

This article was posted on 12-Aug-2005, 12:03 by Hugh Barrow.