Good evening everyone,
This has been a good week of weather and the Tuesday and Thursday training sessions have been well attended. It make such a difference to players attitudes when there is competition for places. With the 2nd XV recording another good win last Saturday there are players in that side who are certainly pushing for a place in the 1st XV and may have to be considered sooner rather than later.
We also have players coming back from injury. Mike Hermes returns to his normal spot on the right wing after a lengthy lay off with a hamstring and then an eye injury. Craig Wright moves to the left wing in place of Dougie Horne who has been on holiday this week but will be back to take a place on the bench. This gives us real pace on both wings, if they get enough ball.
The 1st and 2nd XV's are both off to Castle Douglas to play Stewartry. The kick off is at 3pm. There are places available on the coach that leaves Anniesland at 11-15am. If you have never travelled to an away game with the team I suggest you try it. It is an entertaining day out in excellent company but your liver may suffer the next day.
Other changes from last week see the return of Sandy Fitzpatrick in the second row in place of Robin Bryant who cannot travel as his wife is expecting at any moment. Adam Howie has now gone on his overseas trip and his place at hooker is taken by David Calder who moves in from prop. Both props change due to an injury to Fabi Marchetti with Chris McAlpine coming in from last weeks bench and new boy Carlos Garcia making his Accies 1st team debut.
Steve Begley has injured a bone in his foot and is replaced by Jack Walker fully recovered from his injury.
Alan Wilson, stand off, is unavailable this week and young Irishman Ben Wilkinson steps up from the 2nd XV to take his place. It is a bit like a revolving door as players come and go but fortunately Accies have a strength in depth that they have rarely had in recent years
Good luck to all the teams on Saturday 
At the start of the season Accies were badly hit by injuries to all three open side flankers. The news is getting better. Chris Wright has had the operation on his wrist and is making excellent progress. He could be playing again by November and Andy Jackson has returned to training from a shoulder injury and should be back soon if not required by Hawks. Dave McLaughlin has had knee ligament surgery but could be back in the New Year.
The new Anniesland Hawks XV made an excellent start last Saturday by winning 27-23 at Hamilton and gaining a 4 try bonus point into the bargain. This week they are away again this time to GHA at Braidholm.
You can find the results and league tables of all 2nd XV matches on www.scottish2xv.org.uk. The 2nd XV are in Division West 5 and the Anniesland Hawks XV in West 6
Team for Saturday
15    Brad Bell
14    Mike Hermes  
13    Stewart Smith
12    Jamie Doig (Captain)
11    Craig Wright
10    Ben Wilkinson
09    Richard McKnight
 
01    Chris McAlpine
02    David Calder
03    Carlos Garcia
04    Sandy Fitzpatrick
05    Fraser Cameron
06    Claudio Urra
07    Cruz Kawakameni
08    Jack Walker
 
16    Graeme Simpson
17    Max Henderson
18    Dougie Horne
 
Kind regards
Alasdair Graham
 
 

This article was posted on 15-Oct-2009, 21:05 by Hugh Barrow.