The Season in Prospect
As a new season looms large, in every Club, there is a degree of anticipation and nervousness as the first league game approaches. Do we have a big enough and strong enough squad, are the players going to be available, have we done enough pre season training, do we have the right combination of players, how have the other teams in the league been developing and so on. There is so little hard evidence other than a handful of warm up matches in which you have used anything up to thirty players and the games become increasingly scrappy as players from the lower XV’s try to compete with their more illustrious colleagues. Speculation becomes the name of the game. Established players look around with a little anxiety to see whom the Club has recruited, coaches try to analyse the strengths and weaknesses and desperately try to fill the gaps in the latter. New laws have to be considered and how these are likely to impact on this year’s game plan. Even the press try to guess where teams will end up in the leagues, especially Premier League 1. Incidentally the Scotsman suggested that Hawks would be 4th. Not if Peter Wright can help it

We at Accies are well aware of the pressures in National Division 2. This is probably the most competitive league in Scottish rugby and we are all working hard to escape “northwards” and “upwards”. We are well aware of the strengths of the 8 sides remaining in our league and the two very strong sides coming up from Division 3. We are also aware that the two sides coming down will no doubt believe they can go back up. The coaches and players are working hard to make this the year to go up.

In the final analysis it is not the speculation that is important it is what you have done on the training ground that counts.

Director of Rugby Donald Reid is very pleased with progress so far. The squad have made a considerable effort to get fit. The programme of weight training organised by Duncan Beattie for May, June, July and August has been attended by up to14 players on a regular basis. The results are there to see in the increased strength of the players who have been involved. This can only increase their confidence in their ability to compete and be better than the opposition.

The main pre season game against a strong and confident GHK side was a complete success with a 37-16 win to regain the Gilmore Cup. In that match there were a number of outstanding performances especially from players who have joined or re-joined the Club. The quality of the play in that game was remarkable, it was more like a mid season game than a pre season one. Lineouts, scrummaging, threequarter moves and commitment suggested that there is more to come from Accies this season.

It has been a remarkable pre season for additions to the squad. No fewer than 9 quality players have returned to the Club and several new players have appeared at new Anniesland. This all adds to the competition for places within the squad.
The returning players include:

Jamie Doig (Club Captain)

Centre / Stand Off

Jamie returns after missing the whole of last season through injury but is now fully fit and raring to go. What a sight it will be to see Jamie Doig and Stewart Smith in the same back division.

Steve Begley

Lock

An outstanding lock in his prime, Steve returns, after a year’s break, to bring experience and attitude to our pack. His enthusiasm for Accies is undeniable.

Dougie Horner

Full back / Centre

Dougie returns after injury and has already shown that, despite a 3-year break, he has lost none of his skills and pace on and off the ball. He will be a great addition to our back division.

Dougie Horne

Wing Threequarter

Returning after a two-year absence, Dougie has already shown that along with Mike Hermes we will now have two of the fastest wingers in the National leagues.

David Calder

Prop

David has returned after a two-year spell with Stewarts Melville and will make a major impact to our pack. He carries the famous rugby name and brings to the club a great rugby attitude.

Matt Syme

Flanker

Matt returns to Accies with the entire attitude and commitment of previous times. However we need to find him some work (he is still a student) that will allow him to play every Saturday, not just occasionally. Any help will be appreciated.

Paul Howell

Hooker

A skilful and serious contender for the hooking slot as well as support at Prop, Paul is a very welcome returnee.

Graeme Ker

Back Row

Graeme (from the famous Ker dynasty) returns after a year off concentrating on academic work, and is looking much stronger and with a serious appetite for a 1stXV place.

Scott Thorburn

Back Row

Scott has returned from a time away, and although he was in his previous incarnation a prop he has now developed himself into an extremely fit and strong contender for the back row positions.

In addition to the retuning players the Club has registered the following new players:

Carl Bates

Stand Off

Carl is a strong and skilful addition to the squad with a background in the Army and rugby league he has an appetite for defence and a strong right boot. A good addition to the back division.

Ewan Donald

Wing/Centre

Ewan joins us from Perthshire and has already shown good promise in the pre-season training and games.

Adam Howie

Back Row

From the famous Howie fraternity, Adam is a very skilful and intelligent rugby player who will make a big impact on the team. We are very lucky to have him in the squad.

Kenneth Beattie

Lock

Eldest son of Duncan, Kenneth will be a major player in the years to come. He is strong and has real rugby skills.

Arnaud Favre

Back Row

We are delighted that we now have two Frenchmen in our club and they both bring great enthusiasm with them. Arnaud is a strong player who will push all the back row players for their position.

The Club and players are in good heart and with a reasonable level of luck when it comes to injuries we are confident we can make a major impact on the league this year. For once there is real competition for virtually every position in the side. The current players are well aware of that fact in it has been reflected in the intensity of the training that they have put in pre season

The players really appreciate your support and match days are much more rewarding when the win is witnessed by a large and enthusiastic crowd. Rugby is about teams and supporters are a crucial part of the team.

Saturday 29th August is the first date for your diary. Please come along and hopefully cheer us on to a perfect start.

Late News:

All the players and committee members at Accies Rugby are delighted with the announcement that Nick Cox has been appointed as Captain of Glasgow Hawks for the coming season.

This article was originally posted on 23-Aug-2009, 18:54 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 23-Aug-2009, 19:01.