The Scotsman

Impressive Swindall forced out by injury

DAVID FERGUSON
AT HUGHENDEN

Glasgow 55
Earth Titans 7

GLASGOW'S Stevie Swindall proved himself worthy of his new full-time contract in Saturday's comfortable pre- season victory, but will now have to watch the next two months' action from the sidelines after breaking a finger.

The former Glasgow Hawks blindside flanker was on the verge of quitting Scotland until Hugh Campbell, the Glasgow head coach, offered him a deal in May. Now shorn of excess fat and looking more athletic, Swindall superbly led Glasgow's early thrusts against a spirited but young and inexperienced Earth Titans side - formerly known as Rotherham - and generally looked the part of a professional.

However, after 45 minutes his ring finger was bent back and snapped in a ruck. Campbell said: "That will take two or three months to heal. It's a great shame because Stevie has been impressive. He is a completely different shape to last season, thanks to his own efforts and the great work of our fitness team, and he showed today how dangerous he is."

After a training run with Edinburgh today, Glasgow will conclude their warm-ups on Saturday against Newcastle. The Titans game was a good work-out with both sides suffering from rustiness in passing. Glasgow were too strong overall.

David Strettle, the right wing and member of Rob Moffat's Great Britain sevens team this summer, unsettled Glasgow's new wing Mike Roberts with runs inside and outside him, and Neil Cochrane - the Scotland Under-21 captain last season - scored the Titans' try off one Strettle burst, converted by Mike Whitehead.

Glasgow's defence and sup- erior fitness dominated and after tries from Kevin Tkachuk and Rory Lamont had eased them 20-7 ahead at the interval, more well-taken tries from Graeme Beveridge, Andy Henderson (2), Andy Craig and Fergus Thomson - Dan Parks slotted all of his four conversions and two penalties, and Calvin Howarth superbly kicked two more conversions - ensured a confidence-boosting win.

This article was posted on 22-Aug-2005, 06:41 by Hugh Barrow.