EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS
Rugby: Carrot of cross-border comp is dangled before Heriot's



Published Date: 05 May 2009
By BILL LOTHIAN
THE stakes will reach an unprecedented high when Edinburgh Accies and Heriot's eventually stage their twice re-arranged match which will offer the visitors the chance of claiming second place in the Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership.
The Evening News can reveal that one of two Scottish places in a new cross-border competition will be offer in an encounter where Heriot's require one bonus point to pip Boroughmuir as runners-up. That would mean the opportunity to join champions Ayr in the new best-of-British event.

The "decider" between Accies, who can only finish ninth, was due to have been staged at Raeburn Place this evening having already been held over from January 31.

However, the Accies pitch has been deemed unplayable amidst conditions that have seen a drying wind render the playing surface particularly unyielding and will now be played next Tuesday at Lasswade, with the kick off at 7.30pm.

So, the Hawthornden arena will be the backdrop to a match which will determine who is eligible for a new tournament increasingly catching the imagination and due to feature the likes of Doncaster Knights, Cornish Pirates and Coventry from England's national league division one with Aberavon being tipped to fly the flag for Wales and entries also expected from Ireland.

Now it is emerging that Scottish Rugby is ready to give a sanction which will provide the domestic club scene with an incentive at a stroke.

Today, Heriot's coach Bob McKillop linked the concluding match of the Premiership to the opportunity to broaden horizons, saying: "It is a bit of a carrot. The rumours we are hearing are hugely exciting for players to get away in something I feel clubs should have access to.

"Playing, say, a Welsh team on a Friday night before an international would add spice.

"As a player myself I turned out for Stirling County against Bridgend when they fielded Welsh caps Glenn Webbe and Rob Howley.

"We acquitted ourselves fairly well back then allowing for the fact that the professional era hadn't yet arrived. One requirement now is for clubs to have floodlights which would mean Heriot's having to look around for a suitable ground should we be involved.

"The only worry I have is that nothing should be allowed to impact on the clubs' international programme."

McKillop's enthusiasm is shared by champions Ayr who note on their web-site: "So, the season comes to a close, the trophy sits proudly in the Millbrae clubhouse but on the horizon lies the possibility of an even greater challenge as the long discussed cross border competition looks as though it could well be in place for next season.

"It will involve the top club sides from England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland and as club champions, Ayr will fly the flag for the country. Over the next couple of weeks watch this space."

Tonight's cancellation must be a mixed blessing for Heriot's who have still to decide on the three extra subs. required for Sunday's national cup final against Melrose at Murrayfield.

On the other hand Heriot's are now in a position to avoid injury risks while skipper Tam McVie was unavailable tonight as was No.8 Jamie Syme.

Also due to be missing was fast-improving full back Jon Alston who retired hurt with an ankle injury during the quarter final victory at Boroughmuir although it is understood to be a back injury currently causing him problems

This article was posted on 5-May-2009, 12:55 by Hugh Barrow.