Good morning everyone,
There is a fair bit of excitement brewing at New Anniesland as the players prepare for the vital match against Greenock Wanderers at Fort Matilda on Saturday. Wanderers got back to winning ways on Saturday and have still only lost one game so it is a big ask for our boys. However we are playing considerably better now than when we played them in September and we should be virtually at full strength. The problem for the coaches will who to leave out especially after the comprehensive display against Caithness on Saturday when we scored six good tries and the back division ran and handled better than at any other time this year. Confidence is high and if the penalty count can be kept to a minimum we are certain to put pressure on the opposition.
Accies lost the first game by 48-33 but still scored 4 tries, the only side to have scored more than 2 tries against Wanderers this season. On that day Accies got off to the worst possible start as Jack Walker was injured in the warm up and Robin Bryant had to step up from the bench leaving Accies with only two replacements.
Wanderers are a highly dangerous side when they have the ball in hand and Accies kicked away far too much possession allowing their opponents to run the ball back at them which they did to very good effect.
Accies were at their best when their big forwards monopolised possession. This one suspects is likely to be the tactic for Saturday.
The squad will be reinforced in the backs from the first game by the addition of Mike Hermes, Dougie Horner and Richard McKnight from the first game and a fit again Jack Walker and Andy Jackson in the forwards. Stand off Ben Wilkinson has returned home to Ireland for Christmas so there will be a change in that position. Hooker Matteo Giovanazzi may have to work on Saturday but there is no shortage of candidates for his position and we may even have an appearance from Matt Smith who has been overseas for the last six months. It is going to be an interesting selection.
Coaches Donald Reid and Chas Afuakwah will just have to try to get the balance right. No matter what someone is going to be disappointed. We look forward to the team selection news as there may be some surprises.
We need a huge support at Greenock and we already know that there are people coming home for Christmas that will be there. Please come and join them. It is going to be a great battle and almost certainly these two teams will put on a demonstration of attacking rugby.
If you have not booked your place for the Boxing Day Lunch please do so soon as we already have 40+ booked in and we do not want anyone disappointed

Alasdair Graham
 

This article was originally posted on 16-Dec-2009, 07:32 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 16-Dec-2009, 08:24.