Tuesday, 22 December 2009

Rugby in Glasgow pledged to prove that west is best at Pacific Quay, Glasgow today (Tuesday 22 December).
 
Glasgow Warriors players Johnnie Beattie and newly re-signed Richie Gray teamed up with West of Scotland – the only club with a team left in both the under-15 and under-16 National Youth Cup semi-finals – as they prepare for their forthcoming cup clashes with eastern rivals.
 
The Warriors will host Edinburgh Rugby at Firhill in the first of two back-to-back 1872 Cup Magners League derbies on Sunday 27 December (kick-off 3.05pm) while West of Scotland face a capital contest against last season’s beaten semi-finalists, Boroughmuir, in the under-16 competition while their under-15s will play Bowl holders Howe of Fife at Duffus Park, Cupar.
 
Glasgow Warriors and Scotland back-row forward Beattie, said: “There’s a pretty healthy rivalry between Glasgow and Edinburgh but, with us sitting top of the league and Edinburgh second, these two matches are crucial to our league campaign.
 
“Both Glasgow and Edinburgh teams are packed with Scotland internationalists and everyone will be looking to impress ahead of the RBS 6 Nations against their opposite number and contender for the blue jersey.
 
“The crowd for the Gloucester game was incredible so the prospect of playing in front of a record crowd for a professional game in Glasgow is something I’m really looking forward to – though we don’t need any extra motivation than beating Edinburgh.”
 
Fresh from signing an extension to his contract yesterday, 6’9” lock Richie Gray, 20, was delighted to show support for his former club.
 
“Playing for my club has always been an honour and that feeling continued as I progressed – playing for Glasgow district sides, Glasgow Warriors and more recently Scotland A – so it’s great to get together with my old club and shout about the city’s cup efforts”, said Gray.
 
“Both of West’s young teams have tough ties away from home but it’s a testimony to the club to have teams so late on in both competitions. Their commitment to youth development will no doubt continue to provide young talent for West’s, and hopefully Glasgow Warriors, senior ranks in the future.”
 
West of Scotland under-15 coach, Jonny Bryden, said: “The core of the under-15 team has been playing together at West since they were nine or 10, and so they have a good grounding in the basics of rugby. Many of the boys also play together for school teams and therefore know each other’s play very well.
 
“I think it’s the team’s spirit – the desire to work that bit harder for friends and team mates – which makes this team so good. They are a very talented bunch of boys and I think they have a great chance of going all the way in this tournament.”
 
Elsewhere in the under-16 Cup, Stirling County will entertain Dundee Eagles at Bridgehaugh while in the under-15 competition Deeside will take on Currie at the Tillybrake Playing Fields in Banchory.
STV Rugby will promote this semi-final draw as part of their live broadcast of the 1872 Cup derby on Sunday 27 December (programme starts at 2.30pm).

NATIONAL YOUTH CUP 2009/10
UNDER-16 CUP SEMI-FINAL
Stirling County v Dundee Eagles
Boroughmuir v West of Scotland
 
UNDER-16 BOWL QUARTER-FINAL 2009/10
Hawick Albion v Howe of Fife
Clacks Rugby v Orkney
Currie v Cambuslang or Garnock
Hamilton v Dumfries or Hillhead / Jordanhill
 
UNDER-15 CUP SEMI-FINAL
Deeside v Currie
Howe of Fife v West of Scotland
 
UNDER-15 BOWL QUARTER-FINAL 2009/10
Aberdeen Grammar Rugby v Cumbernauld or Kilmarnock
Musselburgh v North Berwick or Kelso
Kirkcaldy v Moray or Dunfermline
Dalziel v Glasgow Hawks

This article was posted on 23-Dec-2009, 20:16 by Hugh Barrow.